{"id":39730,"date":"2022-07-23T19:45:02","date_gmt":"2022-07-24T00:45:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/?p=39730"},"modified":"2022-08-08T11:58:22","modified_gmt":"2022-08-08T16:58:22","slug":"gragson-holds-off-gibbs-to-win-wild-xfinity-race-at-pocono","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2022\/07\/23\/gragson-holds-off-gibbs-to-win-wild-xfinity-race-at-pocono\/","title":{"rendered":"Gragson holds off Gibbs to win wild Xfinity race at Pocono"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Noah Gragson, driver of the #9 Bass Pro Shops\/TrueTimber\/BRCC Chevrolet, celebrates with champagne in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series Explore the Pocono Mountains 225 at Pocono Raceway on July 23, 2022 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Logan Riely\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

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By Holly Cain<\/em><\/p>\n

NASCAR Wire Service<\/em><\/p>\n

Two of the most determined, talented, young drivers in NASCAR put on a show for the ages in the closing laps of Saturday\u2019s Explore the Pocono Mountains 225 at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway with 24-year-old Noah Gragson ultimately holding off Ty Gibbs, 19, by the blink of an eye to take the victory.<\/p>\n

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Noah Gragson, driver of the #9 Bass Pro Shops\/TrueTimber\/BRCC Chevrolet, crosses the finish line to win the NASCAR Xfinity Series Explore the Pocono Mountains 225 at Pocono Raceway on July 23, 2022 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Logan Riely\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

Gragson\u2019s No. 9 JR Motorsports Chevrolet crossed the finish line at the storied 2.5-mile track by a mere .281-seconds ahead of Gibb\u2019s No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota \u2013 the last 15 laps the duo staying within .3-seconds of one another.<\/p>\n

Gibbs earned three of his four race wins this season on a last lap pass, but Gragson didn\u2019t allow it Saturday \u2013 so happy with the effort he climbed out of his car and joined his team scaling the fencing in front of a boisterous and approving crowded frontstretch grandstand.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was probably the best I\u2019ve ever driven there,” said the Las Vegas native Gragson, whose three wins this season already ties his single season high mark. \u201cI\u2019m worn out. Working my ass off out there to keep the 54 back. He\u2019s pretty fast.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had to work for it,” Gragson said still catching his breath from climbing the fence. \u201cIt was tough. Kept getting tight, tight, tight and with 15 to go I didn\u2019t think I could hold him off. But we just keep digging.”<\/p>\n

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Noah Gragson, driver of the #9 Bass Pro Shops\/TrueTimber\/BRCC Chevrolet, celebrates with a burnout after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series Explore the Pocono Mountains 225 at Pocono Raceway on July 23, 2022 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

That summed up a dramatic ending to an action-packed day.<\/p>\n

Gragson\u2019s JR Motorsports teammate Justin Allgaier started from pole position and led the first 23 laps to win Stage 1. Gragson was seventh and Gibbs\u2019 fourth in the opening run. But Gragson took the lead on the ensuing pit stop and won Stage 2 \u2013 his seventh and the JR Motorsports series\u2019 best 21st stage win of the year.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, good pit strategy made the difference for Gragson, whose Chevrolet was able to benefit from a four-tire and gas stop with 38 laps to go. He re-started sixth \u2013 behind Gibbs\u2019 who did not take tires \u2013 and worked his way forward, taking the lead for good with 22 laps to go.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt definitely hurt us giving him a tire advantage,” Gibbs said. \u201cBut I was so surprised to be able to hang with the 9 (car) when he was on [fresh tires]. Had a great car, just didn\u2019t put it together. I just made some mistakes and we\u2019ll come back next weekend.”<\/p>\n

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Noah Gragson, driver of the #9 Bass Pro Shops\/TrueTimber\/BRCC Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series Explore the Pocono Mountains 225 at Pocono Raceway on July 23, 2022 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Logan Riely\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

Gragson\u2019s teammate Berry finished third, followed by Xfinity Series driver standings leader Kaulig Racing\u2019s A.J. Allmendinger and Richard Childress Racing’s rookie Sheldon Creed.<\/p>\n

Two more JR Motorsports drivers, Sam Mayer and Allgaier finished sixth and seventh \u2013 a particularly impressive comeback for Allgaier who was penalized for speeding on pit road during his last pit stop.<\/p>\n

RCR\u2019s Austin Hill, Kaulig\u2019s Daniel Hemric and NASCAR Cup Series regular Cole Custer rounded out the top 10.<\/p>\n

It was a dramatic race from start to finish, including a red flag period during Stage 2 for a for a high-speed accident involving five cars. Santino Ferrucci\u2019s car got loose exiting Turn 3 and was hit from behind by Ricky Stenhouse Jr. whose car catapulted toward the pit road wall, colliding with Jeb Burton\u2019s car, spinning and flipping Burton\u2019s car over on its hood.<\/p>\n

The NASCAR AMR Safety Crew immediately responded, checked that Burton was okay and then carefully right-sided his car back onto its tires. Burton climbed out un-assisted and the wreckage was cleaned up. The red flag lasted a little more than eight minutes and the race resumed.<\/p>\n

\u201cMan, that was not good,” said Burton, driver of the No. 27 Our Motorsport Chevrolet. \u201cHate if for my guys, those guys work hard on these race cars.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut appreciate the safety crew, they got to me fast,” he added. \u201cIt\u2019s been a tough year, but we\u2019ll keep digging.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gragson\u2019s victory marked the seventh win in the last 11 races for JR Motorsports, which is enjoying a summer of success. And Allmendinger now leads Allgaier by 16 points atop the series driver standings.<\/p>\n

The series\u2019 next race is Saturday\u2019s Pennzoil 150 at the Brickyard on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course (3:30 p.m. ET on NBC, IMS Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). Austin Cindric is the defending race winner.<\/p>\n

Interviews:<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

NXS Race Winner Noah Gragson (No. 9 JR Motorsports Chevrolet) – <\/p>\n

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NXS Winning Car Owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. (JR Motorsports Chevrolet) –<\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/PRNXSDaleJr-1.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

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NASCAR Xfinity Series Race – 7th Annual Explore the Pocono Mountains 225<\/b><\/p>\n

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

Long Pond, Pennsylvania<\/b><\/p>\n

Saturday, July 23, 2022<\/b><\/p>\n

               1. (9)  Noah Gragson, Chevrolet, 90.<\/p>\n

               2. (2)  Ty Gibbs, Toyota, 90.<\/p>\n

               3. (7)  Josh Berry, Chevrolet, 90.<\/p>\n

               4. (4)  AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet, 90.<\/p>\n

               5. (6)  Sheldon Creed #, Chevrolet, 90.<\/p>\n

               6. (12)  Sam Mayer, Chevrolet, 90.<\/p>\n

               7. (1)  Justin Allgaier, Chevrolet, 90.<\/p>\n

               8. (8)  Austin Hill #, Chevrolet, 90.<\/p>\n

               9. (13)  Daniel Hemric, Chevrolet, 90.<\/p>\n

               10. (16)  Cole Custer(i), Ford, 90.<\/p>\n

               11. (21)  Landon Cassill, Chevrolet, 90.<\/p>\n

               12. (14)  Riley Herbst, Ford, 90.<\/p>\n

               13. (26)  Brandon Brown, Chevrolet, 90.<\/p>\n

               14. (28)  Myatt Snider, Chevrolet, 90.<\/p>\n

               15. (15)  Ryan Sieg, Ford, 90.<\/p>\n

               16. (24)  Anthony Alfredo, Chevrolet, 90.<\/p>\n

               17. (3)  Brandon Jones, Toyota, 90.<\/p>\n

               18. (17)  Brett Moffitt, Chevrolet, 90.<\/p>\n

               19. (25)  Kyle Weatherman, Chevrolet, 90.<\/p>\n

               20. (27)  Sage Karam, Chevrolet, 90.<\/p>\n

               21. (33)  Josh Williams, Chevrolet, 90.<\/p>\n

               22. (20)  Kyle Sieg #, Ford, 90.<\/p>\n

               23. (30)  Stefan Parsons(i), Chevrolet, 90.<\/p>\n

               24. (29)  Mason Massey, Chevrolet, 90.<\/p>\n

               25. (35)  Ryan Vargas, Chevrolet, 89.<\/p>\n

               26. (23)  Bayley Currey, Chevrolet, 89.<\/p>\n

               27. (34)  David Starr, Ford, 89.<\/p>\n

               28. (38)  JJ Yeley, Ford, 89.<\/p>\n

               29. (36)  Patrick Emerling, Chevrolet, 89.<\/p>\n

               30. (37)  Timmy Hill(i), Toyota, 89.<\/p>\n

               31. (5)  Sammy Smith, Toyota, Accident, 53.<\/p>\n

               32. (18)  Jeremy Clements, Chevrolet, Accident, 48.<\/p>\n

               33. (19)  Jeb Burton, Chevrolet, Accident, 46.<\/p>\n

               34. (10)  Ricky Stenhouse Jr.(i), Chevrolet, Accident, 45.<\/p>\n

               35. (11)  Santino Ferrucci, Toyota, Accident, 45.<\/p>\n

               36. (31)  Ronnie Bassett Jr., Chevrolet, Accident, 45.<\/p>\n

               37. (22)  Alex Labbe, Chevrolet, Accident, 1.<\/p>\n

               38. (32)  Rajah Caruth(i), Chevrolet, Accident, 1.<\/p>\n

Average Speed of Race Winner:  123.438 mph.<\/p>\n

Time of Race:  1 Hrs, 49 Mins, 22 Secs. Margin of Victory:  0.281 Seconds.<\/p>\n

Caution Flags:  5 for 18 laps.<\/p>\n

Lead Changes:  9 among 8 drivers.<\/p>\n

Lap Leaders:   J. Allgaier 1-22;A. Alfredo 23-25;N. Gragson 26-41;A. Hill # 42-45;N. Gragson 46-50;T. Gibbs 51-53;B. Moffitt 54-55;R. Herbst 56-59;J. Berry 60-68;N. Gragson 69-90.<\/p>\n

Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led):  Noah Gragson 3 times for 43 laps; Justin Allgaier 1 time for 22 laps; Josh Berry 1 time for 9 laps; Austin Hill # 1 time for 4 laps; Riley Herbst 1 time for 4 laps; Anthony Alfredo 1 time for 3 laps; Ty Gibbs 1 time for 3 laps; Brett Moffitt 1 time for 2 laps.<\/p>\n

Stage #1 Top Ten: 7,19,16,54,2,8,9,18,11,21<\/p>\n

Stage #2 Top Ten: 9,54,19,2,8,7,16,10,11,21<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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