LATE PIT STOP PROPELS TRUEX JR. TO CHICAGOLAND WIN

Martin Truex Jr. won the race off pit road on the final green-flag pit stop of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 400, sparking him to the win at Chicagoland Speedway on Sunday.

The speedy stop propelled Truex past rookie Chase Elliott, who had led 75 laps until the caution came out on Lap 262 of the 270-lap overtime race. The race was the first of 10-race Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

Joey Logano came up second in the No. 22 Team Penske Ford.

Elliott in the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, Ryan Blaney in the No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford and Brad Keselowski in the No. 2 Team Penske Ford rounded out the top five.

Denny Hamlin, the defending race winner, finished sixth.

Kyle Busch, the reigning series champ, finished eighth.

Chase drivers Kevin Harvick and Kyle Larson were saddled with obstacles to overcome before the race even started when both were sent to the rear for modifications to their cars after qualifying. Harvick had qualified fourth, while Larson was to start 10th. Harvick quickly worked his way into the top 10, but went a lap down when he came in for a green-flag pit stop when a caution came out. He fought to return to the lead lap for much of the rest of the race; he finished 20th.

The 270-lap race tied the track-low with four cautions and featured nine different leaders. Jimmie Johnson led all drivers with 118 laps led. Johnson was slapped with a penalty for speeding on pit road late in the race, that pushed him back to a 12th-place finish.

The Sprint Cup Series heads to New Hampshire Motor Speedway next weekend for the continuation of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup in the New England 300 (Sept. 25, 2 p.m. ET, NBCSN, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

CHASE FOR THE NASCAR SPRINT CUP TIMELINE: 2016

With the Sprint Cup Series postseason in full swing, stay on top of all news concerning the 2016 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

Stewart, Newman meet with NASCAR

After harsh words were exchanged at Richmond, Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman met with NASCAR officials at Chicagoland Speedway, and both say they are ready to move on from their altercation. | Read more

Harvick: 'Expect the unexpected' in the Chase

Drivers talked about racing hard and the intensity of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup during Ready. Set. Chase. launch activities at Chicago. Kevin Harvick talks about the wide-open nature of the competition and Brad Keselowski thinks fans can expect some bumps, saying, "That's just how racing is going to be. We don't have to play drama queen for everything."

NASCAR updates rules for Chase

Rules updates announced the Wednesday before the first race of the 2016 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup at Chicagoland give competition officials the power to issue more stringent rulings on technical infractions involving post-race laser inspections and lug nuts.

Five to Watch: Potential Chase rivalries

NASCAR.com's George Winkler talks the biggest feuds that could explode come playoff time.

Dissecting the chippiness

Tensions were high at different points of the regular-season finale at Richmond. Will that carry over to the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup? Tony Stewart, Brad Keselowski and others offer their thoughts.

Contrasting circumstances

While the sun is setting on Tony Stewart's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career as a driver, Chase Elliott's is just getting started. The three-time champion and the Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender share a unique relationship.

Grabbing the bull

Kevin Harvick explains his infamous tweet of a bull going wild and what it means for his competitors in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

Getting social

Chase drivers will have their Twitter handles on on the windshield of their NASCAR Sprint Cup Series rides during the Round of 16 in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. | Read more | Track the social buzz | @nascarcasm: What should Twitterless Edwards do?

Heads up: Chicagoland weekend

Want weather updates, staff picks, top story lines for the Chicagoland weekend? NASCAR.com has got you covered. | Read more | Fantasy outlooks for top drivers at Chicagoland

Cain: Don't forget Larson in most wide-open Chase in history

NASCAR.com's Holly Cain discusses Kyle Larson as a title contender and recognizes 2016 as the year with the most interesting Chase field.

Meet the 16 crew chiefs in the 2016 Chase

No one plays a greater role in a driver's success than the crew chief. They're the ones standing atop the pit box, making the calls on when to pit and talking their drivers through strategy.

Predicting who will advance to the Round of 12

NASCAR.com's George Winkler talks Chase predictions and has the stats and numbers to back it up.

Drivers talk Chase Across America

The 16-driver Chase field heads to various places across America before the playoffs officially begin at Chicagoland.

Chase by the numbers: Chicagoland

Here are some useful facts before the Chase begins at Chicagoland Speedway.

Veterans, rookies soak in Chase berth

Kenny Bruce discusses Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, Austin Dillon and Chris Buescher as they enter their first Chase. And 2014 Sprint Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick offers some profound insight from someone who has been in playoff mode many times.

NASCAR.com Power Rankings

Following his Richmond win, Denny Hamlin moves up to first in the pre-Chicago Power Rankings. See how the rest of the Chase field fared.

Pit crew power rankings for the Chase

This year's Chase Grid is loaded with talented pit crews. Take a look and see how PitTalks.com ranks the top 16.

Chase 101: Everything You Need to Know

Need a refresher on how the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup works? You're covered.

Bruce: Toyota the Chase favorites? Absolutely

NASCAR.com's Kenny Bruce discusses the pre-playoff favorites: The Joe Gibbs Racing quartet as well as Furniture Row Racing's team.

First-time Chasers eager for opportunity

First time Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers Austin Dillon, Chris Buescher, Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson talk about trying to capitalize on their championship opportunity.

Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers

See every driver in the Chase field with a quick season recap, Chase history, best Chase track and worst Chase track stats.

Chase for the Sprint Cup Series grid

Before the Chase opener at Chicagoland Speedway, see where each wheelman in the 16-driver field stacks up.

TY DILLON SUBS FOR REGAN SMITH AT CHICAGOLAND

With Regan Smith still in North Carolina due to the impending birth of his second child, Ty Dillon will pilot the No. 7 Chevrolet for Tommy Baldwin Racing in Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 400 at Chicagoland Speedway (2:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio), the team announced Sunday morning.

Dillon has practiced all weekend in the No. 7 as Smith flew back to North Carolina to be with wife Megan.

Smith has made all 26 starts in the No. 7 so far this year with two top-10 finishes. Dillon has made eight starts this season in the Sprint Cup Series and served as a relief driver for Tony Stewart at Talladega in the spring.

Dillon is currently a regular in the NASCAR XFINITY Series and will participate in that series' seven-race XFINITY Series Chase, which begins next weekend at Kentucky Speedway.

Smith has taken to Twitter the past few days to keep fans updated on his status. Here are his latest posts.

ERIK JONES HOLDS OFF LARSON TO WIN AT CHICAGOLAND

Holding off a fast-charging Kyle Larson in the closing laps of Saturday's XFINTY Series' Drive for Safety 300, Erik Jones took his No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota to Victory Lane in the regular season finale at Chicagoland Speedway. Jones took the lead for good from JR Motorsports' Elliott Sadler with less than 10 laps remaining in the 200-lap event to post his fourth XFINITY Series win of the season.

Larson crossed the start-finish line second in his No. 42 Chevrolet, while Sadler came up third in the No. 1 Chevrolet. Joe Gibbs Racing's Daniel Suarez and JR Motorsports' Justin Allgaier completed the top 10.

Saturday's race at Chicagoland marked the final race before the inaugural XFINITY Series Chase playoffs, officially setting the 12-car field. Jones came out on top of the Chase Grid, followed by Sadler, Suarez, Allgaier, Ty Dillon, Brendan Gauaghan, Brennan Poole, Brandon Jones, Darrell Wallace Jr., Ryan Reed, Blake Koch and Ryan Sieg.

Friday night's Camping World Truck Series winner Kyle Busch nearly made it two-for-two at Chicagoland, dominating with a race-high 154 laps led. But a blown tire at Lap 182 sent Busch's No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota spinning and left him with little time to rebound, resulting in a 13th-place finish.

Reed brought out the fifth caution of the afternoon when his No. 16 Roush Fenway Racing Ford made contact with the wall after getting close to Larson's No. 42 Chevrolet. Having sustained right-front damage, the team elected to bring the car to the garage for repairs and Reed was ultimately scored 32nd.

The XFINITY Series returns to the track Sept. 24 at Kentucky Speedway (8 p.m. ET, NBCSN/PRN/SiriusXM) for the first race in the Chase.

This story will be updated.

Preview Show: Chicago

Marty Snider and Chris Rice preview the upcoming weekend at Chicagoland Speedway as drivers prepare to kickoff the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

TWITTER HANDLES TO REPLACE DRIVER NAMES ON WINDSHIELDS DURING CHASE

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Sept. 15, 2016) -- NASCAR drivers competing in the 2016 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup™ will display their personal Twitter handles on their respective car windshields during the first three-race round of #TheChase, NASCAR and Twitter announced today.

Beginning with Sunday's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 400 at Chicagoland Speedway (2:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio), Twitter handles including @KyleBusch, @keselowski and @austindillon3 will adorn the windshield headers normally reserved for driver last names.  

The activation is part of an aggressive push by NASCAR to use Twitter, Vine and Periscope to elevate The Chase experience for fans during the sport's most social postseason ever. Earlier today, @NASCAR unveiled a new, racing-themed Twitter emoji, which will help bring #TheChase tweets to life throughout the 10-week postseason.

"Twitter brings the passion and excitement of NASCAR to millions of our fans every single day in very unique and innovative ways,” said NASCAR Managing Director, Social Media, Scott Warfield. “As we embark on The Chase, the platform is helping us make the overall social experience that much richer and more memorable for our fans and followers."

Beginning this weekend, @NASCAR will curate Twitter Moments and share Vines and live video via Periscope all capturing the spirit, excitement and behind-the-scenes action of this year's Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

The first Chase race will also feature the Twitter bird logo, @NASCAR and #TheChase displayed as giant stencils in the infield atChicagoland Speedway.

"NASCAR truly embraces Twitter as a bridge between fans and the drivers they love," said Andrew Barge, Sports Partnerships, Twitter. "During this year's Chase, with Twitter handles on windshields and hashtags on the infield grass, NASCAR demonstrates just how much it genuinely values and encourages that fan engagement."

After each round of #TheChase, NASCAR will tweet action-packed digital films that feature NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers reenacting the on-track highlights and storylines. Part of the sport's Ready. Set. Chase marketing campaign, the first video in the five-part series can be viewed on NASCAR.com/TheChase.

Twitter handles displayed on Chase driver cars for the Round of 16 include the following:

Chase Driver               Car                                 Twitter
Kyle Busch                  No. 18 Toyota Camry     @KyleBusch
Brad Keselowski         No. 2 Ford Fusion         @keselowski
Denny Hamlin              No. 11 Toyota Camry    @dennyhamlin
Kevin Harvick              No. 4 Chevrolet SS       @KevinHarvick
Carl Edwards               No. 19 Toyota Camry    #CarlEdwards
Martin Truex Jr.           No. 78 Toyota Camry    @MartinTruex_Jr
Matt Kenseth               No. 20 Toyota Camry    @mattkenseth
Jimmie Johnson          No. 48 Chevrolet SS     @JimmieJohnson      
Joey Logano                No. 22 Ford Fusion       @joeylogano
Kyle Larson                 No. 42 Chevrolet SS     @KyleLarsonRacin
Tony Stewart               No. 14 Chevrolet SS     @TonyStewart
Kurt Busch                  No. 41 Chevrolet SS     @KurtBusch
Chris Buescher           No. 34 Ford Fusion       @Chris_Buescher
Chase Elliott               No. 24 Chevrolet SS      @chaseelliott
Austin Dillon               No. 3 Chevrolet SS       @austindillon3
Jamie McMurray         No. 1 Chevrolet SS        @jamiemcmurray

The best and fastest way to join the NASCAR conversation and connect directly with the teams, drivers and fans during the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup is to Tweet with, and search for, #TheChase.

Gordon's Parents Dead In Apparent Murder-Suicide

The father and stepmother of former NASCAR driver Robby Gordon died yesterday in an apparent murder-suicide

Police responded to an Orange, California home owned by Gordon on the 1400 block of North Kennymead Street at approximately 5 p.m. Wednesday, after a family friend requested a welfare check. Inside, they discovered the bodies of 68-year old Robert Gordon and his wife Sharon, 57. A weapon was discovered inside the home and authorities say the deaths appear to be a murder-suicide.

Gordon is a three-time winner in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, most recently winning a pair of road course events at Sonoma and Watkins Glen in 2003, while driving for Richard Childress Racing. In recent seasons, he has raced on the SPEED Energy Formula Off-Road Series, which he also owns.