The Latest: Byron wins stage, Menard gets out at Talladega

TALLADEGA, Ala. (AP) — The Latest on NASCAR’s race at Talladega Superspeedway (all times local):

2:00 p.m.

William Byron has won the first stage of Sunday’s race at Talladega Superspeedway.

Byron held off fellow playoff driver Joey Logano to earn the stage victory.

NASCAR then brought the cars down pit road to hold them as rain began to scatter around the track.

Paul Menard used the break between stages to give way to relief driver Matt Crafton. Menard has been bothered by discs in his neck all week and Crafton got time in the No. 21 Ford during Friday practice in anticipation of Menard not being able to finish the race.

Menard is retiring from full-time competition after his 13th full season.

The 39-year-old described his neck ailment as “getting old. It’s all part of it. It’s all part of what you sign up for when you’re born.”

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