Justin Allgaier finally claimed the NASCAR Xfinity Series championship at Phoenix Raceway, overcoming a weekend that seemed stacked against him. Following a practice accident caused by oil on the track, Allgaier was forced to use a backup vehicle and start from the back of the grid.
Allgaier faced a restart penalty, followed by a speeding infraction while exiting the pit lane, which dropped him a lap down. A caution allowed him to regain the lost lap and rejoin the competition. With determination, he worked his way back up into the lead pack.
The race was decided in a double overtime session, where Riley Herbst, driving the No. 98 Ford for Stewart-Haas Racing, crossed the line first after leading 167 of the 213 laps. Although Allgaier was overtaken on the final lap, his second-place finish secured the championship.
Allgaier's achievement, after coming close to the title multiple times, capped a fourteen-year career in the series. Runner-up Cole Custer praised the dedication and relentless effort of the JR Motorsports driver.
Meanwhile, Herbst maintained control for much of the race, securing his third series win during a notable week for Stewart-Haas Racing, which will cease operations at the end of the season.
Fellow title contenders A.J. Allmendinger and Austin Hill finished ninth and tenth, respectively.
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