NASCAR
AJ Allmendinger Gets First Win of Year in Perfect Time, Championship-Bound Again
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Under the lights in Las Vegas the Xfinity Series put on a show worthy of top billing. Veteran AJ Allmendinger was driving his best race of the year, eyeing a maiden win and Championship 4 berth. Quickly chasing him down was longtime underdog Ryan Sieg, hoping for his first career win. Despite Sieg briefly getting by AJ inside of the last 10 laps, the victory would go to the 16. Kaulig Racing will be trophy hunting for the Xfinity Series championship at Phoenix Raceway in three weeks.
Title co-favorites Cole Custer and Justin Allgaier split both stages, with Allmendinger not far behind either time. AJ’s No. 16 Chevrolet sniffed the lead for the first time to start the final Stage.
This restart initially saw a big checkup behind the No. 16 that damaged a few Playoff contenders further back.
The closing laps saw Allmendinger maintain and even grow his lead over Allgaier through pit stops. A new challenger would soon emerge though–Ryan Sieg. In the same exact car he was second in at Texas, Sieg began inching into Allmendinger’s lead.
With nine laps left, Sieg edged just ahead at the line and was clear entering turn one. The No. 28 Ford did overdrive turn two however and got loose, having to jump out of the gas and allow AJ back by.
A two-lap dash to the checkers gave Sieg one more shot at AJ, but the 16 was not to be denied a season-defining victory in Las Vegas.
“I absolutely love these guys and girls at Kaulig Racing, it’s been such an up and down year,” Allmendinger said. “But what I love about them is we stick together and keep fighting. First of all happy birthday Matt Kaulig!! The boss’ birthday today and I told you I was getting you a trophy! Let’s go!!”
“I love you Tara, Aero, my mom and dad, my whole family and friends. They all see how much I care and I put it on myself. Oh man, this Modern Day Garage Chevy was absolutely hooked up, as fast as Xfinity Internet. Thank you guys for all you do for this sport, Xfinity. Celsius, Action Industries, Leaf Filter Gutter Protection, there’s a lot more I’m forgetting.”
“What a way to get to Phoenix after a year that we’ve had. Let’s go win a championship!! Let’s gooo!!”
Behind Allmendinger and Sieg, Justin Allgaier, Chandler Smith, and Parker Kligerman were the top-five. Jesse Love, Riley Herbst, Cole Custer, Sheldon Creed, and Austin Hill rounded out the top-10.
Allmendinger is the first man to occupy a Championship 4 berth in the Xfinity Series. The Kaulig Racing team has an extra two weeks to perfect their Phoenix car. They hope to send AJ back to Cup as a champion. Take a look at the updated Playoff grid below, with two races left in the Round of 8.
Xfinity cars return to action next Saturday at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The Credit One NASCAR AMEX Credit Card 300 goes green at 4 p.m. ET on The CW, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Can another new face perhaps break into victory lane and upset the Playoff favorites?
Written by Peter Stratta
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