CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A photographic look at the NASCAR racing action on Saturday at Charlotte Motor Speedway. All photos provided courtesy of NASCAR and Getty Images.
Clint Bowyer, driver of the #14 Haas Automation Ford, stands on the grid during the Monster Energy NASCAR Open Qualifying at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 20, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Sarah Crabill/Getty Images)
Chase Elliott, driver of the #24 Mountain Dew Chevrolet, stands by his car during the Monster Energy NASCAR Open at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 20, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images)
Daniel Suarez, driver of the #19 ARRIS Toyota, takes the green flag to start Stage 3 of the Monster Energy NASCAR Open at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 20, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Sarah Crabill/Getty Images)
Chase Elliott, driver of the #24 Mountain Dew Chevrolet, Daniel Suarez, driver of the #19 ARRIS Toyota, Ryan Blaney, driver of the #21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center Ford, and Clint Bowyer, driver of the #14 Haas Automation Ford, pose with their trophies after qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 20, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images)
Kyle Larson, driver of the #42 Target Chevrolet, walks across the stage prior to the start of the Monster Energy NASCAR All Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 20, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images)
Kyle Larson, driver of the #42 Target Chevrolet, and Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Caramel Toyota, take the green flag to start the Monster Energy NASCAR All Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 20, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Sarah Crabill/Getty Images)
Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Caramel Toyota, and Kyle Larson, driver of the #42 Target Chevrolet, lead the field during the Monster Energy NASCAR All Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 20, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)
Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Caramel Toyota, leads a pack of cars during the Monster Energy NASCAR All Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 20, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)
Monster Energy performers entertain the crowd prior to the start of the Monster Energy NASCAR All Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 20, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)
Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Caramel Toyota, does a burnout after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR All Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 20, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images)
Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Caramel Toyota, takes the checkered flag to win the Monster Energy NASCAR All Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 20, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Sarah Crabill/Getty Images)
Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Caramel Toyota, does a burnout to celebrate after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR All Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 20, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Sarah Crabill/Getty Images)
Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Caramel Toyota, celebrates with the trophyduring the Monster Energy NASCAR All Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 20, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images)
Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Caramel Toyota, celebrates with the trophyduring the Monster Energy NASCAR All Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 20, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images)
Mike Haag has covered motorsports in San Antonio and South Texas for more than 39 years. In addition to covering motorsports for the San Antonio Express-News for nearly 28 years, Mike also has co-hosted TrackSmack with Dawn Murphy for 19 race seasons. In addition to being a writer, Mike taught high school English and Journalism for 30 years before retiring in May, 2020.
By Mike Haag