{"id":27883,"date":"2019-08-31T18:50:00","date_gmt":"2019-08-31T23:50:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/?p=27883"},"modified":"2019-09-02T10:26:47","modified_gmt":"2019-09-02T15:26:47","slug":"cole-custer-wins-darlington-xfinity-race-after-denny-hamlin-dqd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2019\/08\/31\/cole-custer-wins-darlington-xfinity-race-after-denny-hamlin-dqd\/","title":{"rendered":"Cole Custer wins Darlington Xfinity race after Denny Hamlin DQ\u2019d"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Reid Spencer, NASCAR Wire Service<\/em><\/p>\n

DARLINGTON, S.C. \u2013 It looked like more of the same at Darlington Raceway for driver Denny Hamlin<\/strong>\u2014until post-race inspection happened.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Cole Custer, driver of the #00 Production Alliance Group Ford, races Christopher Bell, driver of the #20 McCall’s Supply Ruud Toyota, during the NASCAR Xfinity Series Sport Clips Haircuts VFW 200 at Darlington Raceway on August 31, 2019 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

A five-time NASCAR Xfinity Series<\/a> winner at the 1.366-mile track, Hamlin was first across the finish line in Saturday\u2019s Sport Clips Haircuts VFW 200, but the disqualification of Hamlin\u2019s No. 18 Toyota for a ride-height violation made a winner of Cole Custer, who trailed Hamlin by .602 seconds at the finish line.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a really strange feeling, honestly\u2014obviously,\u201d Custer said after being notified he was the winner. \u201cYou don\u2019t want that way, but it is what it is. We all play by the same rules. Was that the deciding factor? No.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut it is what it is. We get the points. We get the money. We get the trophy, I guess. It\u2019s a way to win.\u201d<\/p>\n

The victory was the first for Custer at the Track Too Tough to Tame and his sixth of the season, tying him with fourth-place finisher Christopher Bell for most in the series this year. Custer now has eighth career Xfinity wins.<\/p>\n

The disqualification ruined a strong effort from Hamlin, who started 37th in a backup car after slapping the outside wall early in Friday\u2019s opening practice. Hamlin took the lead on Lap 121 of 147 and held it the rest of the way.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #8 Hellmann’s Chevrolet, races Chase Briscoe, driver of the #98 Ford Performance Ford, during the NASCAR Xfinity Series Sport Clips Haircuts VFW 200 at Darlington Raceway on August 31, 2019 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

And though Hamlin efforts became moot with the disqualification, he overcame issues with the handling of the backup No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota through the first two 45-lap stages of the event and was able to withstand a determined closing run by Custer.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe did not have the best car by any means, but luckily, the techniques I\u2019ve learned over so many years kind of (helped) us there,\u201d Hamlin said before learning of the disqualification. \u201cThey guys did a great job getting this car ready.\u201d<\/p>\n

Abandoning the NBC Sports broadcast booth for his only race of the year, Dale Earnhardt Jr. ran fifth as the highest finishing JR Motorsports entry.<\/p>\n

Custer hounded Hamlin after a restart with 10 laps left ran the bottom through Turns 1 and 2 to gain ground. On several occasions over the final five laps, he pulled within a car-length of Hamlin\u2019s bumper but couldn\u2019t quite get to the winner.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Michael Annett, driver of the #1 Baby Ruth Chevrolet, leads Austin Cindric, driver of the #22 MoneyLion Ford, and Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #8 Hellmann’s Chevrolet, during the NASCAR Xfinity Series Sport Clips Haircuts VFW 200 at Darlington Raceway on August 31, 2019 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cI thought I had him,\u201d Custer said after climbing from his car. \u201cI really wanted it\u2014finishing second here really sucks. You really want to win at one of the marquee places\u2026 I couldn\u2019t get a run off of (Turn) 4. I don\u2019t know\u2014it was so close.\u201d<\/p>\n

As it turned out, it was close enough.<\/p>\n

Series leader Tyler Reddick ran second after leading a race-high 70 laps. Pole winner Ryan Blaney, the only other driver to hold the lead, was third after spending 50 laps at the point. Bell, Earnhardt, Chase Briscoe, Brandon Jones, Noah Gragson, Justin Allgaier and Austin Cindric completed the top 10.<\/p>\n

Earnhardt was pleased with his performance in the one-off start.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love this place,\u201d said Earnhardt, whose No. 8 Chevrolet was sporting a paint scheme commemorating his father\u2019s first start in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series at Charlotte in 1975. \u201cWe love Darlington\u2026 You never know how good you are till you come back and try it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Tyler Reddick, driver of the #2 myblu Chevrolet, leads Justin Allgaier, driver of the #7 ARMOUR Vienna Sausage Chevrolet, during the NASCAR Xfinity Series Sport Clips Haircuts VFW 200 at Darlington Raceway on August 31, 2019 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cAll these guys are elite. All these guys do this every single week, and they\u2019re very, very talented. To think you can take a year off and come back and be good\u2026 you just never know. But we did all right!\u201d<\/p>\n

With two races left before the cutoff for the Xfinity Playoffs at Las Vegas, Reddick holds a 51-point lead over Bell in the race for the regular-season title. Custer is 136 points back in third place.<\/p>\n

The disqualification was the fifth this year under the enforcement policy NASCAR adopted this year, all in either the Xfinity or Gander Outdoors Truck Series. Hamlin was the second race winner to suffer a disqualification, the other being Ross Chastain in a Truck Series race at Iowa Speedway.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Media Center Interviews:<\/h3>\n

Cole Custer – <\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/NXS_DAR_Custer_083119.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

 <\/p>\n

Wayne Auton, Managing Director of the NASCAR Xfinity Series on Denny Hamlin disqualification – <\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/NXS_DAR_WAuton_083119.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

NASCAR Xfinity Series Race – 37th Annual Sport Clips Haircuts VFW 200<\/b><\/p>\n

Darlington Raceway<\/b><\/p>\n

Darlington, South Carolina<\/b><\/p>\n

Saturday, August 31, 2019<\/b><\/p>\n

                   1. (3)  Cole Custer, Ford, 147.<\/p>\n

                   2. (6)  Tyler Reddick, Chevrolet, 147.<\/p>\n

                   3. (1)  Ryan Blaney(i), Ford, 147.<\/p>\n

                   4. (2)  Christopher Bell, Toyota, 147.<\/p>\n

                   5. (14)  Dale Earnhardt Jr., Chevrolet, 147.<\/p>\n

                   6. (5)  Chase Briscoe #, Ford, 147.<\/p>\n

                   7. (7)  Brandon Jones, Toyota, 147.<\/p>\n

                   8. (8)  Noah Gragson #, Chevrolet, 147.<\/p>\n

                   9. (4)  Justin Allgaier, Chevrolet, 147.<\/p>\n

                   10. (9)  Austin Cindric, Ford, 147.<\/p>\n

                   11. (12)  Justin Haley #, Chevrolet, 147.<\/p>\n

                   12. (20)  Jeremy Clements, Chevrolet, 147.<\/p>\n

                   13. (10)  Michael Annett, Chevrolet, 147.<\/p>\n

                   14. (13)  Ryan Sieg, Chevrolet, 147.<\/p>\n

                   15. (15)  Gray Gaulding, Chevrolet, 147.<\/p>\n

                   16. (18)  Ray Black II, Chevrolet, 147.<\/p>\n

                   17. (17)  Alex Labbe, Chevrolet, 147.<\/p>\n

                   18. (11)  Landon Cassill, Chevrolet, 147.<\/p>\n

                   19. (23)  BJ McLeod, Chevrolet, 147.<\/p>\n

                   20. (22)  Camden Murphy, Chevrolet, 146.<\/p>\n

                   21. (16)  John Hunter Nemechek #, Chevrolet, 146.<\/p>\n

                   22. (21)  Stefan Parsons, Toyota, 146.<\/p>\n

                   23. (27)  Timmy Hill, Toyota, 146.<\/p>\n

                   24. (28)  Josh Williams, Chevrolet, 144.<\/p>\n

                   25. (26)  Joey Gase, Toyota, 144.<\/p>\n

                   26. (24)  Stephen Leicht, Chevrolet, 144.<\/p>\n

                   27. (33)  David Starr, Chevrolet, 144.<\/p>\n

                   28. (36)  Vinnie Miller, Chevrolet, 143.<\/p>\n

                   29. (29)  Garrett Smithley, Chevrolet, 143.<\/p>\n

                   30. (31)  Chad Finchum, Toyota, Suspension, 133.<\/p>\n

                   31. (34)  Matt Mills, Chevrolet, Engine, 128.<\/p>\n

                   32. (35)  Mike Harmon, Chevrolet, 114.<\/p>\n

                   33. (19)  Brandon Brown #, Chevrolet, Accident, 85.<\/p>\n

                   34. (25)  Joe Nemechek(i), Chevrolet, Brakes, 72.<\/p>\n

                   35. (32)  Tommy Joe Martins, Toyota, Transmission, 61.<\/p>\n

                   36. (30)  JJ Yeley, Chevrolet, Axle, 34.<\/p>\n

                   37. (38)  Morgan Shepherd, Chevrolet, Electrical, 27.<\/p>\n

                   38. (37)  Denny Hamlin(i), Toyota, 147.<\/p>\n

Average Speed of Race Winner:  119.131 mph.<\/p>\n

Time of Race:  1 Hrs, 41 Mins, 8 Secs. Margin of Victory:  .602 Seconds.<\/p>\n

Caution Flags:  5 for 23 laps.<\/p>\n

Lead Changes:  5 among 3 drivers.<\/p>\n

Lap Leaders:   R. Blaney(i) 1-15;T. Reddick 16-84;R. Blaney(i) 85-92;T. Reddick 93;R. Blaney(i) 94-120;D. Hamlin(i) 121-147.<\/p>\n

Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led):  Tyler Reddick 2 times for 70 laps; Ryan Blaney(i) 3 times for 50 laps; Denny Hamlin(i) 1 time for 27 laps.<\/p>\n

Stage #1 Top Ten: 2,12,20,98,7,00,8,19,11,01<\/p>\n

Stage #2 Top Ten: 12,7,2,00,20,8,98,19,22, 9<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Reid Spencer, NASCAR Wire Service DARLINGTON, S.C. \u2013 It looked like more of the same at Darlington Raceway for driver Denny Hamlin\u2014until post-race inspection happened. A five-time NASCAR Xfinity Series winner at the 1.366-mile track, Hamlin was first across the finish line in Saturday\u2019s Sport Clips Haircuts VFW 200, but the disqualification of Hamlin\u2019s […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":676,"featured_media":27884,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[11],"tags":[257,651,16,181],"class_list":["post-27883","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nascar","tag-cole-custer","tag-darlington-raceway","tag-nascar","tag-nascar-xfinity-series"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/NXS_DAR_CusterPass_083119.jpg?fit=2872%2C1912&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7hzTZ-7fJ","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27883","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/676"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27883"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27883\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27891,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27883\/revisions\/27891"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/27884"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27883"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27883"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27883"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}