But with about five laps to go, Almirola was involved in a major crash that also damaged Alex Bowman, Martin Truex Jr. and Brad Keselowski.
That allowed Chase Elliott to claim victory despite leading just 11 laps.
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Joey Logano was the next-best playoff driver to finish, coming in third, while Kurt Busch slid into fifth spot.
Bowman and Clint Bowyer had the worst runs among playoff contenders.
Here’s a look at the updated playoff standings:
1 Kevin Harvick: 3101
2 Kyle Busch: 3096
3 Martin Truex, Jr.: 3069
4 Joey Logano: 3064
5 Chase Elliott: 3056
6 Brad Keselowski: 3054
6 Kurt Busch: 3054
8 Ryan Blaney: 3043
9 Clint Bowyer: 3033
9 Aric Almirola: 3033
11 Kyle Larson: 3031
12 Alex Bowman: 3009
NASCAR at Dover: Race result, highlights from ‘Gander Outdoors 400’
Caution flags: 5
Lead changes: 15 lead changes among eight drivers
Lap leaders: Kevin Harvick (286), Aric Almirola (64), Kyle Busch (21), Chase Elliott (11), Brad Keselowski (8), Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (7), Joey Logano (6), Clint Bowyer (1)
(All times EST)
5:42 p.m. — Chase Elliott wins it! He led just 11 of 400 laps, taking advantage of the late crash to come out on top. Big win for him.
5:37 p.m. — There will be overtime. Who is going to claim this?
5:33 p.m. — So it’s heartbreak for Almirola, who was about five laps from a win and is now in big trouble moving forward.
5:31 p.m. — Here’s a visual on that.
5:30 p.m. — Big wreck. For the second straight week Keselowski is involved. Red flag is out.
5:28 p.m. — Update: Clint Bowyer is done.
5:26 p.m. — Bowyer is having problems.
5:24 p.m. — Ten more. Almirola, Kurt Busch and Elliott are in front.
5:20 p.m. — Twenty laps remaining. Almirola is still holding on.
5:14 p.m. — Elliott is up to fourth place.
5:07 p.m. — We can’t overstate how huge it would be for Almirola to get this win. He’d go from potential elimination this round to an automatic spot in the next one.
5:05 p.m. — The green flag is up after a caution for an axle in the middle of the track.
4:57 p.m. — Truex Jr. heads to the back after speeding on pit road.
4:54 p.m. — With 60 laps to go, it’s Almirola, Bowyer and Truex Jr. leading the pack.
4:48 p.m. — Harvick has to pit again and Almirola is now in the lead!
4:40 p.m. — Larson is all the way back in 16th place.
4:33 p.m. — Here comes Keselowski!
4:28 p.m. — Blaney is doing some bobbing and weaving here. He’s in eighth.
4:19 p.m. — Aric Almirola is up to second place.
4:11 p.m. — It’s been a rough race for Brad Keselowski so far. He’d been one of the hottest drivers going for a while, but he crashed out last week and is in 10th right now.
4:06 p.m. — This stat gives you a sense of how dominant this performance has been.
4:01 p.m. — Bowyer is trying to make a move right now.
3:51 p.m. — We’re through 200 of the 400 total laps. Top 5: Harvick, Bowyer, Truex Jr., Logano, Kurt Busch.
3:43 p.m. — Some movement at the top, but Harvick is still in first.
3:32 p.m. — Bowyer is up to second place!
3:29 p.m. — Close call for Kyle Larson.
3:22 p.m. — Penalty for Chase Elliott.
3:08 p.m. — Stage 1 is over. Harvick, Joey Logano and Kyle Busch pace the field.
3:04 p.m. — Timmy Hill is done.
3:01 p.m. — Bowman, who entered this race near the cutoff line, is being lapped.
2:51 p.m. — Here’s Clint Bowyer drifting around a turn.
2:48 p.m. — Harvick came into Sunday in prime position to advance to the next round anyway, but this is very impressive.
2:46 p.m. — Halfway through Stage 1, the top 3 is Harvick, Keselowski and Kyle Busch in that order.
2:41 p.m. — Harvick is getting it done right now. Still in the lead.
2:33 p.m. — Among playoff racers, Alex Bowman is having the worst day in 13th place. We’re through 35 laps.
2:30 p.m. — After experiencing technical issues, Jimmie Johnson is way behind the pack. He’s no longer in playoff contention, though.
2:20 p.m. — Through 20 laps, Kevin Harvick is in the lead. Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski trail just behind.
2:15 p.m. — We’re underway!
1:49 p.m. — Big pre-race hug for Kurt Busch.
1:15 p.m. — Will Team Penske pull out a win today?
12:28 p.m. — Looks like Jimmie Johnson still feels bad about what went down at the end of the ROVAL 400.
