Gragson Out-Duels Gibbs for Pocono Triumph

Photo Credit to Pocono Raceway via Twitter

NASCAR

Noah Gragson Wins Extended Battle over Ty Gibbs at Pocono, Gets 3rd Win of 2022

LONG POND, Pa. – JR Motorsports reigns supreme in the Xfinity Series, as Noah Gragson now has three wins in 2022. Pocono may have been the best showing yet for Gragson though; he had to fight off Ty Gibbs corner after corner, lap after lap for this checkered flag. The closing laps saw the 9 and 54 never separated by more than a few tenths, and Gragson came out on top. Could this be a preview of the championship fight this fall?

Stage 1 belonged to another JRM driver, as Justin Allgaier led the entire way from the pole. After a slow pit stop by the 7 team though, the track position shifted to Gragson’s 9 car. Gragson grabbed the lead immediately on the restart, picking up the Stage 2 win as well.

Stage 3 started off with a scary moment, as Santino Ferrucci spinning in turn three triggered a massive crash. Ferrucci’s 26 collected the 48 of Ricky Stenhouse Jr., who then clipped Jeb Burton in the 27. Due to the odd angle of contact, Burton flipped just past pit entry, coming to rest on his roof. Thankfully Burton was alright, as the AMR safety crew got to his car instantly.

After the carnage was cleaned up, Ty Gibbs took command for the first time all day. However, the 54’s time in the wind was short-lived, as Gibbs was put back by a near-immediate caution.

With 30 to go, Josh Berry took the lead, only to cede the top spot nine laps later back to Gragson. On fresher tires, Gragson appeared primed to drive off to the victory, but Ty Gibbs was coming through the field too, right behind the 9.

For the last 17 laps, Gragson and Gibbs were running in each other’s tire tracks nonstop. The 54 tried countless times to get by the 9, with Gragson holding off every blow.

This drawn out fight continued onward to the last lap, as they entered turn two door-to-door. In an amazing show of respect, Gragson fought back to pass Gibbs cleanly. Gragson eventually took the checkers just two tenths ahead of the 54.

After the race, Gragson debuted a very interesting and creative celebration. A few of the 9’s pit crew members taped an American flag across Gragson’s windshield. Perhaps in a nod to Ricky Bobby from Talladega Nights, Gragson did winning donuts with the flag blocking his view.

“That was probably the best I’ve ever driven there,” Gragson said. “I’m wore out. It really wasn’t that long of a race, just worked my ass off out there to keep the 54 back. He was pretty fast. Luke Lambert and the rest of this Bass Pro Shops/Black Rifle Coffee/True Timber team did an unbelievable job there with coming down pit road and putting four tires on.

“I had to work for it, it was tough. Just getting tighter and tighter, and with 15 to go I didn’t think I could hold him off. We just kept digging. This team is unbelievable, we’re fired up for our third win of the year, and I’m exhausted. Thank you to everyone who makes this possible. It’s a dream come true, and it doesn’t get much better than being in front of all these fans! thank you all for coming out today!”

A distant third behind Gragson and Gibbs would be Josh Berry, while AJ Allmendinger and Sheldon Creed were the top five. Other top finishers were: Sam Mayer, Justin Allgaier, Austin Hill, Daniel Hemric, and Cole Custer.

See the current Xfinity Playoff standings below. Seven races remain in their regular season, as Gragson moves into the provisional number two seed.

The next stop for Xfinity cars will be the Indianapolis Road Course. The third Xfinity race on this circuit is sure to be another thriller, as AJ Allmendinger aims for a third win of 2022. Coverage of the Pennzoil 150 at the Brickyard begins Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on NBC, the IMS Radio Network, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. Can anyone stop the winner of last year’s Cup race at Indianapolis?

Written by Peter Stratta

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Photo Credit to Pocono Raceway via Twitter