In a heart-pounding finish at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, AJ Allmendinger emerged victorious in the NASCAR Xfinity Series race on Saturday night. The veteran driver led a race-high 102 laps in the No. 16 Chevrolet for Kaulig Racing, securing his spot in the championship finale with a thrilling two-lap sprint to the checkered flag.
A Crucial Win for Allmendinger
Allmendinger, who entered the race seventh out of eight in the playoff standings and below the cutline, knew he needed either a victory or three strong finishes to make the championship finale. The pressure was on, but the experienced driver rose to the challenge, dedicating the win to team owner Matt Kaulig as a birthday gift.
It’s good to get to Phoenix after the year we’ve had. Let’s go win a championship! Let’s go!
AJ Allmendinger
A Late Caution Sets the Stage
With just six laps remaining, a caution flag flew, giving Ryan Sieg a chance to snatch the win from Allmendinger. On the restart, Sieg received a massive push from Justin Allgaier, but Allmendinger managed to pull away, beating Sieg to the line by a mere 0.156 seconds.
Sieg, who is not in the playoffs, finished an impressive second in a Ford, followed by playoff driver Allgaier in a Chevrolet for JR Motorsports. Chandler Smith, another playoff contender, finished fourth in a Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing.
Playoff Implications
The remaining playoff drivers had mixed results at Las Vegas. Cole Custer, still in title contention, finished seventh, while Jesse Love (9th), Austin Hill (12th), Sam Mayer (13th), and Sammy Smith (26th) will need strong performances in the coming weeks to secure their spots in the championship finale.
For Allmendinger, the win comes as a relief after a challenging season. The 2021 Xfinity Series runner-up can now focus on preparing for the title race at Phoenix Raceway, where he’ll have the chance to claim his first NASCAR championship.
Looking Ahead
With Allmendinger’s spot in the championship finale secured, attention now turns to the remaining playoff drivers. The pressure is on for the other contenders to perform well in the next two races and earn their place in the final four.
The NASCAR Xfinity Series playoffs continue next weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway, where the battle for the remaining championship spots will intensify. As the season reaches its climax, fans can expect more thrilling races and intense competition as the drivers fight for the title.
For AJ Allmendinger and Kaulig Racing, the focus is now on preparing for the championship showdown at Phoenix. With a spot in the finale secured, they can approach the next two races with a sense of relief and use them as an opportunity to fine-tune their strategy for the title-deciding event.
As the NASCAR Xfinity Series heads into the home stretch, the excitement and drama are sure to reach new heights. With Allmendinger leading the charge and a host of talented drivers in pursuit, the 2024 championship is shaping up to be one of the most competitive and unpredictable in recent memory.
