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Almirola edges Allgaier for NASCAR XFINITY Series win at Daytona

by Mike Haag | Posted on Friday, July 1st, 2016

By Reid Spencer
NASCAR Wire Service

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Aric Almirola won his second NASCAR XFINITY Series race by much less than a nose.

But to the driver of the No. 98 Fred Biagi-owned Ford, that was a vast improvement over his first victory in the series—when he wasn’t even in the car when the race ended.

Aric Almirola, driver of the #98 Fresh From Florida Ford, celebrates with champagne in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR XFINITY Series Subway Firecracker 250 at Daytona International Speedway on July 1, 2016 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

Aric Almirola, driver of the #98 Fresh From Florida Ford, celebrates with champagne in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR XFINITY Series Subway Firecracker 250 at Daytona International Speedway on July 1, 2016 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

In Friday night’s Subway Firecracker 400 at Daytona International Speedway, Almirola was inches ahead of Justin Allgaier off the final corner in overtime when NASCAR called the eighth caution of the race and froze the field because of a wild wreck on the backstretch involving polesitter David Ragan.

Though Almirola was credited with a 2007 win at the Milwaukee Mile, where he started the race in place of Denny Hamlin, who was commuting from the Sprint Cup venue at Sonoma. But Hamlin took the checkered flag after taking over the car, and Almirola has never felt the win was rightfully his.

“I’m so glad to be back in Victory Lane here at Daytona,” Almirola said. “This is such a special place for me. I won my first Cup race here two years ago, and for me, this is my first XFINITY win. I know I have a win, but there’s always been an asterisk next to it…

“I hated the fact that I got credit for that. When they called me the winner, I didn’t want any of the credit. (Crew chief) Dave Rogers actually got the trophy. They tried to give me the trophy, but I didn’t want it. I didn’t think I deserved to win the race, because I wasn’t in the car when the race was over.

Aric Almirola, driver of the #98 Fresh From Florida Ford, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR XFINITY Series Subway Firecracker 250 at Daytona International Speedway on July 1, 2016 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Sean Gardner/NASCAR via Getty Images)

Aric Almirola, driver of the #98 Fresh From Florida Ford, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR XFINITY Series Subway Firecracker 250 at Daytona International Speedway on July 1, 2016 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Sean Gardner/NASCAR via Getty Images)

“But tonight I was. Tonight we went to Victory Lane, and I’m here, and I was in the car—so this is my first XFINITY win.”

Almirola already was one of 26 drivers who have won at least one race in each of NASCAR’s top three series. Now he can feel good about it. 

Allgaier, on the other hand was on the short end of the video that showed Almirola in the lead when the caution was called.

“When you lose ‘em by that little bit, it’s frustrating,” said Allgaier, who estimated he lost the event by “a sixteenth of a foot. 

“But when you’re disappointed with second, it’s still a good day… Man, when you’re that close, it’s really, really tough. We’ll keeping digging. At some point we’ve got to maybe pull one of these off.”

Ryan Sieg finished third, matching the career-best result he achieved in this race two years ago. Joey Logano led a race-high 46 of 103 laps but was shuffled back with fewer than 20 laps left and recovered to run fourth. Brendan Gaughan came home fifth.

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - JULY 01: Aric Almirola, driver of the #98 Fresh From Florida Ford, celebrates with the checkered flag on the infield after winning the NASCAR XFINITY Series Subway Firecracker 250 at Daytona International Speedway on July 1, 2016 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

DAYTONA BEACH, FL – JULY 01: Aric Almirola, driver of the #98 Fresh From Florida Ford, celebrates with the checkered flag on the infield after winning the NASCAR XFINITY Series Subway Firecracker 250 at Daytona International Speedway on July 1, 2016 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

Ragan led the field to green to start the overtime but quickly lost his drafting partner and surrendered the top spot. Subbing for Matt Tifft, who had come out of brain surgery for a tumor just before the race began, Ragan tried to block the outside lane on the final lap and finished 21st in a demolished Toyota.

“I was kind of a sitting duck,” Ragan said. “My teammate, Erik Jones, did a great job on that white-flag lap, but we just got separated. And I didn’t really know that third lane was coming as fast as they were, and I saw that the 98 (Almirola) and the 7 (Allgaier) had a decent run, but I thought I could block the very top, and you only have so much room.

“That was just a product of speedway racing.” 

Points leader Daniel Suarez was the victim of a hard crash into the inside SAFER barrier on the backstretch on Lap 49 and finished 32nd but maintained a six-point lead in the standings over Elliott Sadler, who had to pit for fuel before the overtime and came home 18th.

Note:  Additional photos posted after results.

NASCAR XFINITY Series Race – Subway Firecracker 250 Powered by Coca-Cola

Daytona International Speedway

Daytona Beach, Florida

Friday, July 01, 2016

    1. (23) Aric Almirola(i), Ford, 103.

    2. (7) Justin Allgaier, Chevrolet, 103.

    3. (30) Ryan Sieg, Chevrolet, 103.

    4. (4) Joey Logano(i), Ford, 103.

    5. (17) Brendan Gaughan, Chevrolet, 103.

    6. (14) Ryan Reed, Ford, 103.

    7. (18) Jeff Green, Toyota, 103.

    8. (27) Spencer Gallagher(i), Chevrolet, 103.

    9. (15) Chase Elliott(i), Chevrolet, 103.

    10. (3) Erik Jones #, Toyota, 103.

    11. (24) Ross Chastain, Chevrolet, 103.

    12. (26) Dakoda Armstrong, Toyota, 103.

    13. (39) Garrett Smithley #, Chevrolet, 103.

    14. (11) Ty Dillon, Chevrolet, 103.

    15. (37) Ryan Ellis, Chevrolet, 103.

    16. (32) Jeremy Clements, Chevrolet, 103.

    17. (19) JJ Yeley, Toyota, 103.

    18. (9) Elliott Sadler, Chevrolet, 103.

    19. (34) Joey Gase, Chevrolet, 103.

    20. (6) Darrell Wallace Jr., Ford, 103.

    21. (1) David Ragan(i), Toyota, 103.

    22. (16) Blake Koch, Chevrolet, 103.

    23. (12) Benny Gordon, Toyota, 102.

    24. (31) Bobby Gerhart, Chevrolet, 102.

    25. (35) Scott Lagasse Jr., Ford, 100.

    26. (8) Brennan Poole #, Chevrolet, Accident, 97.

    27. (33) David Starr, Chevrolet, Accident, 96.

    28. (2) Austin Dillon(i), Chevrolet, 96.

    29. (13) Brandon Jones #, Chevrolet, 82.

    30. (10) Corey LaJoie, Toyota, Oil Leak, 73.

    31. (20) Mark Thompson, Toyota, Engine, 57.

    32. (5) Daniel Suarez, Toyota, Accident, 48.

    33. (22) Mario Gosselin, Chevrolet, Oil Leak, 47.

    34. (28) Ryan Preece #, Chevrolet, Engine, 42.

    35. (29) Morgan Shepherd, Chevrolet, Rear Gear, 28.

    36. (25) Joe Nemechek(i), Toyota, Accident, 14.

    37. (21) Justin Marks, Chevrolet, Accident, 14.

    38. (38) Alex Guenette, Chevrolet, Accident, 9.

    39. (36) Ray Black Jr. #, Chevrolet, Accident, 8.

    40. (40) BJ McLeod #, Ford, Engine, 1.

Average Speed of Race Winner:  121.192 mph.

Time of Race:  2 Hrs, 07 Mins, 29 Secs. Margin of Victory:  Caution.

Caution Flags:  8 for 33 laps.

Lead Changes:  19 among 12 drivers.

Lap Leaders:   D. Ragan(i) 1-3; A. Dillon(i) 4-13; J. Logano(i) 14; E. Sadler 15-17; M. Thompson 18; M. Shepherd 19; T. Dillon 20-22; J. Logano(i) 23-44; R. Chastain 45-46; B. Gaughan 47; J. Logano(i) 48-68; J. Allgaier 69-71; E. Sadler 72; J. Logano(i) 73; E. Sadler 74-80; J. Logano(i) 81; C. Elliott(i) 82-86; A. Almirola(i) 87; D. Ragan(i) 88-102; A. Almirola(i) 103;.

Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led):  J. Logano(i) 5 times for 46 laps; D. Ragan(i) 2 times for 18 laps; E. Sadler 3 times for 11 laps; A. Dillon(i) 1 time for 10 laps; C. Elliott(i) 1 time for 5 laps; J. Allgaier 1 time for 3 laps; T. Dillon 1 time for 3 laps; R. Chastain 1 time for 2 laps; A. Almirola(i) 2 times for 2 laps; M. Shepherd 1 time for 1 lap; B. Gaughan 1 time for 1 lap; M. Thompson 1 time for 1 lap.

Top 10 in Points: D. Suarez – 499; E. Sadler – 493; T. Dillon – 483; J. Allgaier – 462; B. Gaughan – 449; E. Jones # – 442; B. Jones # – 429; B. Poole # – 422; D. Wallace Jr. – 394; R. Reed – 366.

David Ragan, driver of the #18 Surface Sunscreen/Rugged Maniac Toyota, leads the field past the green flag to start the NASCAR XFINITY Series Subway Firecracker 250 at Daytona International Speedway on July 1, 2016 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Sarah Crabill/NASCAR via Getty Images)

David Ragan, driver of the #18 Surface Sunscreen/Rugged Maniac Toyota, leads the field past the green flag to start the NASCAR XFINITY Series Subway Firecracker 250 at Daytona International Speedway on July 1, 2016 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Sarah Crabill/NASCAR via Getty Images)

 

David Ragan, driver of the #18 Surface Sunscreen/Rugged Maniac Toyota, and Austin Dillon, driver of the #2 Rheem Chevrolet, lead the field to start the NASCAR XFINITY Series Subway Firecracker 250 at Daytona International Speedway on July 1, 2016 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)

David Ragan, driver of the #18 Surface Sunscreen/Rugged Maniac Toyota, and Austin Dillon, driver of the #2 Rheem Chevrolet, lead the field to start the NASCAR XFINITY Series Subway Firecracker 250 at Daytona International Speedway on July 1, 2016 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)

 

Brendan Gaughan, driver of the #62 South Point Chevrolet, races Brennan Poole, driver of the #48 DC Solar Chevrolet, during the NASCAR XFINITY Series Subway Firecracker 250 at Daytona International Speedway on July 1, 2016 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

Brendan Gaughan, driver of the #62 South Point Chevrolet, races Brennan Poole, driver of the #48 DC Solar Chevrolet, during the NASCAR XFINITY Series Subway Firecracker 250 at Daytona International Speedway on July 1, 2016 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

 

Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Discount Tire Ford, leads Ty Dillon, driver of the #3 Bass Pro Shops/NRA Museum Chevrolet, Elliott Sadler, driver of the #1 OneMain Chevrolet, Brendan Gaughan, driver of the #62 South Point Chevrolet, and David Ragan, driver of the #18 Surface Sunscreen/Rugged Maniac Toyota, during the NASCAR XFINITY Series Subway Firecracker 250 at Daytona International Speedway on July 1, 2016 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Discount Tire Ford, leads Ty Dillon, driver of the #3 Bass Pro Shops/NRA Museum Chevrolet, Elliott Sadler, driver of the #1 OneMain Chevrolet, Brendan Gaughan, driver of the #62 South Point Chevrolet, and David Ragan, driver of the #18 Surface Sunscreen/Rugged Maniac Toyota, during the NASCAR XFINITY Series Subway Firecracker 250 at Daytona International Speedway on July 1, 2016 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

 

Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Discount Tire Ford, leads a pack of cars during the NASCAR XFINITY Series Subway Firecracker 250 at Daytona International Speedway on July 1, 2016 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Discount Tire Ford, leads a pack of cars during the NASCAR XFINITY Series Subway Firecracker 250 at Daytona International Speedway on July 1, 2016 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

 

Aric Almirola, driver of the #98 Fresh From Florida Ford, celebrates with a burnout and the checkered flag after winning the NASCAR XFINITY Series Subway Firecracker 250 at Daytona International Speedway on July 1, 2016 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images)

Aric Almirola, driver of the #98 Fresh From Florida Ford, celebrates with a burnout and the checkered flag after winning the NASCAR XFINITY Series Subway Firecracker 250 at Daytona International Speedway on July 1, 2016 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images)

 

Aric Almirola, driver of the #98 Fresh From Florida Ford, celebrates with the checkered flag on the infield after winning the NASCAR XFINITY Series Subway Firecracker 250 at Daytona International Speedway on July 1, 2016 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)

Aric Almirola, driver of the #98 Fresh From Florida Ford, celebrates with the checkered flag on the infield after winning the NASCAR XFINITY Series Subway Firecracker 250 at Daytona International Speedway on July 1, 2016 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)

 

Aric Almirola, driver of the #98 Fresh From Florida Ford, leads Justin Allgaier, driver of the #7 TradeMark Nitrogen Chevrolet, and the rest of the field to the checkered flag under caution to win the NASCAR XFINITY Series Subway Firecracker 250 at Daytona International Speedway on July 1, 2016 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Sarah Crabill/NASCAR via Getty Images)

Aric Almirola, driver of the #98 Fresh From Florida Ford, leads Justin Allgaier, driver of the #7 TradeMark Nitrogen Chevrolet, and the rest of the field to the checkered flag under caution to win the NASCAR XFINITY Series Subway Firecracker 250 at Daytona International Speedway on July 1, 2016 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Sarah Crabill/NASCAR via Getty Images)

 

 

 

 

About the Author

Mike Haag has covered motorsports in San Antonio and South Texas for more than 35 years. In addition to covering motorsports for the San Antonio Express-News for nearly 28 years, Mike also has co-hosted TrackSmack with Dawn Murphy for 18 race seasons. In addition to being a writer, Mike taught high school English and Journalism for 30 years before retiring in May, 2020.