AVONDALE, Ariz. – Justin Allgaier overcame two penalties and overtime to win his first NASCAR Xfinity Series championship, which he captured in a backup car a day after crashing during practice at Phoenix Raceway.
“Man, we tried to give it away any way we could,” Allgaier said. “…I’m at a loss for words. We’re definitely going to celebrate this. It’s incredible.”
Allgaier won the title after finishing second behind Riley Herbst, who scored his second win of the season. Allgaier’s first title came in his seventh Championship 4 appearance.
MORE: Xfinity Race Results
Allgaier’s title capped an up-and-down weekend for the No. 7 JR Motorsports team.
He set the second fastest lap in practice before crashing after three laps. A car ahead had an engine blow and the fluid sent Allgaier and a few others into the wall. The damage to Allgaier’s car was too severe and the team had to move to a backup car. That forced Allgaier to start at the back of the 38-car field.
Allgaier’s title chances appeared to be over after he was penalized for a restart violation on lap 100. He was forced to drive through pit road. While doing so, he was caught speeding and that sent him back to the pits for a second time, putting him one lap down. He dropped to 35th place.
The race changed when Anthony Alfredo broke down and brought out the caution 45 laps from the scheduled distance. It came in the middle of a green flag pit cycle, allowing Allgaier to get back on the lead lap.
He moved through the field and finished fifth with 10 laps to the scheduled finish. A caution for Leland Honeyman’s crash brought out the caution on lap 199 and caused the race to be extended. The leaders got to work.
Austin Hill took the lead after a two tire change. A caution for Parker Retzlaff’s incident sent the race into a second extra period.
Allgaier got past Hill on the restart. Herbst passed Allgaier for the win on the final lap.
Winner phase 1: Riley Herbst
Winner phase 2: Riley Hersbt
Next: The series runs until February 15 at Daytona International Speedway, when the 2025 season begins.
