In a stunning display of perseverance and skill, veteran driver Justin Allgaier rallied from a lap down to clinch his first-ever NASCAR Xfinity Series championship at Phoenix Raceway on Saturday night. The 38-year-old JR Motorsports driver overcame multiple setbacks throughout the race before making a last-gasp pass on the final overtime restart to secure the title in dramatic fashion.
Allgaier, who had previously finished runner-up in the championship on two occasions, started the race from the back of the field after crashing his primary car during Friday’s practice session. Undeterred, he quickly worked his way through the pack, cracking the top 10 within the first 26 laps of the 200-lap event.
Midrace Setbacks Threaten Championship Hopes
However, Allgaier’s championship aspirations were dealt a severe blow midway through the race when contact with fellow title contender Riley Herbst caused his left rear tire to slowly deflate. The loss of track position was compounded by a pair of penalties – one for an improper restart and another for speeding on pit road – which relegated Allgaier to a lap down.
With his title hopes fading, Allgaier caught a timely break when a caution for Anthony Alfredo’s crash allowed him to regain his lost lap through NASCAR’s “lucky dog” rule. Back on the lead lap, the determined driver methodically picked his way through the field, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
Decisive Overtime Restart Seals the Deal
As the laps wound down, Allgaier found himself chasing fellow championship hopefuls Austin Hill and Cole Custer. A late caution set up a two-lap overtime shootout, with Allgaier opting for four fresh tires while his rivals took just two. The decision proved pivotal, as Allgaier’s superior grip allowed him to rocket past Hill and Custer on the final restart, securing the lead and the championship as a multi-car crash erupted behind him.
This is mind-blowing, it really is. We tried to give it away every way we could.
Justin Allgaier, reflecting on his improbable championship run
The victory marked Allgaier’s 25th career win in the Xfinity Series but his first championship after seven previous appearances in the Championship 4. His JR Motorsports teammate Noah Gragson, who was eliminated from title contention in the semi-finals, finished second in the race, with Herbst rounding out the podium.
Other Title Contenders Fall Short
For the other championship finalists, the night ended in disappointment. Austin Hill, who led a race-high 78 laps, faded to 10th after the final restart, while Cole Custer – seeking to become the first driver to win back-to-back Xfinity titles since Kevin Harvick in 2006-2007 – struggled with his car’s handling throughout the evening and limped home eighth. AJ Allmendinger, the fourth championship contender, started from the rear after changing his brakes post-qualifying and never found the pace to contend, finishing ninth.
With the 2024 Xfinity Series season now complete, Justin Allgaier can finally celebrate a well-deserved championship after years of near-misses. His remarkable comeback drive at Phoenix will undoubtedly rank among the most memorable title-clinching performances in NASCAR history, a testament to both his skill behind the wheel and his unwavering determination in the face of adversity.
