NASCAR at Watkins Glen 2018 Results: Chase Elliott Registers 1st Career Win

Chase Elliott is a NASCAR Cup Series victor for the first time in his career.

Elliott won the 2018 Go Bowling at The Glen on Sunday at Watkins Glen International in Watkins Glen, New York, holding off defending champion Martin Truex Jr. in dramatic fashion in the closing stretch of the race.

Truex continued to close the gap as the two drivers approached the checkered flag in the 90-lap road race, but Elliott was able to hold him off and cross the finish line just as Truex ran out of fuel.

The No. 9 driver was understandably emotional after finally earning a victory:

Here is a look at the top 10:

1. Chase Elliott

2. Martin Truex Jr.

3. Kyle Busch

4. Daniel Suarez

5. Erik Jones

6. Kyle Larson

7. Jamie McMurray

8. William Byron

9. Kurt Busch

10. Kevin Harvick

As for Truex, he just missed extending his stretch of success at road races. The Glen was the second of three this season, and he won the first at Sonoma just like he was the defending champion at this event prior to Sunday's outcome.

He picked up right where he left off by winning Sunday's first stage.

Kyle Busch was in control for much of the initial stage after taking the lead from pole-sitter Denny Hamlin in the early going, but he sacrificed the playoff point in favor of the big-picture approach and to pit near the end of the stage. That allowed Truex to win his seventh stage of the season and the corresponding playoff point.

The biggest development in the first stage came when Joey Logano spun out on just the second lap and was ruled out for the race under the damaged-vehicle policy.

With Logano out of the picture, Elliott prevailed in Stage 2 ahead of Busch, Hamlin and the rest of the field. Truex demonstrated his consistency again as the only driver to notch points in each of the first two stages, but the second stage was defined by the battle between Elliott and Busch.

It marked the third straight week Elliott won a stage, but he was unable to parlay it into a race victory the last two attempts.

There was plenty of drama in the closing stage outside of just the finish, as Jimmie Johnson was penalized for driving through too many pit boxes and ultimately hit a wall and sustained damage to his car.

Busch took the lead from Elliott on a restart, and they appeared to have the track to themselves for extended stretches as they created plenty of space from the rest of the field and jockeyed for position before some chaos on pit stops.

Hamlin earned a penalty for removing equipment in the box, and an issue forced Busch to pit again after failing to properly fuel during a stop.

It appeared to be Elliott's race to lose at that point, but there was some question about whether he should have also been penalized for removing equipment. According to Dustin Long of NBC Sports, NASCAR's response to the inquiry was: "The car isn't removing the equipment. The crew member is allowed to move through the adjacent box after performing service."

Busch dropped all the way to 31st and was apparently out of the race, but he came roaring back into the top three in a testament to how well he performed:

While Busch was impressing despite his miscue, Truex continued to chip away at Elliott's lead and set the stage for the dramatic finish. It was fitting the driver pursuing his first carer win had to hold off a seasoned veteran and the defending champion, and that is exactly what he did.

Attention now turns to the Consumers Energy 400 next Sunday at Michigan International Speedway after a thrilling finish at The Glen.