Nemechek Returns to Xfinity Victory Lane in California

Photo Credit to Logan Riely/Getty Images for NASCAR

NASCAR

John Hunter Nemechek Takes First Xfinity Win of 2023 at Auto Club

FONTANA, Calif. – After being delayed a day due to persistent rain, the Auto Club Xfinity race finally went green Sunday evening. From the drop of the flag, two dominant cars separated themselves from the pack: Cole Custer and John Hunter Nemechek. Both the 00 and the 20 spent many laps up front. After 150 laps, it was Nemechek walking away with career win number three. Nemechek is winning early in his first full-time season at Joe Gibbs Racing. Was Auto Club the first of many wins for this second-generation star?

Both Stages would be won with relative ease by Cole Custer. The defending Auto Club winner, Custer’s No. 00 Mustang took command on lap 25 and hardly ever looked back, picking up two valuable Playoff points.

A scary moment happened for a frontrunner early in Stage 2. While racing Josh Berry for position, Sheldon Creed made contact with the 8 out of turn two. Creed was sent sliding all the way to the inside wall, just barely being able to spin his car around in time. The RCR driver avoided what would have been a massive crash with minimal damage. Creed even survived to battle for the win later on.

Custer’s apparent cruise to another California win would only become derailed by the 00 losing track position on pit road. On a restart with 60 to go, Custer would cut a tire down and slam into the wall. This would end the competitive day for Custer, as the 00 limped home in 27th.

With Custer out of the picture, the race seemingly fell into Nemechek’s lap. The 20 was the only car who could keep pace with the 00, but a new challenger soon emerged. Nemechek’s teammate in the 18, Sammy Smith swapped the lead back and forth with the 20. As laps wound down, it became evident that one of these two Joe Gibbs Racing cars would likely win.

Smith ran into his own issues, being turned after late contact from Austin Hill. After pit stops cycled out, Nemechek was on point again with 11 laps left and drove off. Despite finding some speed late, second-place Sam Mayer could not run Nemechek down. The 20 was on rails en route to a third career win for Nemechek.

“My guys gave me one hell of a racecar,” Nemechek said. “This Toyota GR Supra was as fast as Xfinity 10G – if not faster. I can thank everyone enough. Vons, Albertsons – all of our great partners, Toyota, TRD, Coach Gibbs for the opportunity – everyone that was involved to put this whole deal together. I feel like it’s one of the best opportunities that I’ve had in my career. Two races in – we are executing pretty well. I’m happy to work with this whole group. I’m confident in our team. Can’t thank Coach enough – just wish Coy was here to celebrate with us.”

“We have momentum on our side right now. I’ve peak too early in years past, so hopefully we can keep the ball rolling all year long. I’m confident in this whole team, confident in all of our guys – everyone at JGR, the motor shop, Toyota, TRD – just can’t thank everyone enough. I’m so grateful for this opportunity and the plan of stepping back to move back up the ranks is paying off so far.”

Behind Nemechek and Mayer at the checkers were: Justin Allgaier, Chandler Smith, Josh Berry, Austin Hill, Riley Herbst, Austin Dillon, Brett Moffitt, and Parker Kligerman.

The next stop for Xfinity teams is Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The Alsco Uniforms 300 will go green Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET on FS1, PRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. Nemechek definitely enters Vegas with a hot hand. The Xfinity Series’ all-time wins leader Kyle Busch returns however, and is hungry. Can anyone stop Busch from another victory?

Written by Peter Stratta

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Photo Credit to Logan Riely/Getty Images for NASCAR