{"id":40370,"date":"2022-09-24T19:18:19","date_gmt":"2022-09-25T00:18:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/?p=40370"},"modified":"2022-09-24T19:18:19","modified_gmt":"2022-09-25T00:18:19","slug":"noah-gragson-drives-to-victory-lane-at-texas-ties-nascar-xfinity-series-record-with-fourth-consecutive-win","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2022\/09\/24\/noah-gragson-drives-to-victory-lane-at-texas-ties-nascar-xfinity-series-record-with-fourth-consecutive-win\/","title":{"rendered":"Noah Gragson drives to Victory Lane at Texas, ties NASCAR Xfinity Series record with fourth consecutive win"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"

Noah Gragson, driver of the #9 Bass Pro Shops\/TrueTimber\/BRCC Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 at Texas Motor Speedway on September 24, 2022 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Chris Graythen\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

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

FORT WORTH, Texas _ Noah Gragson parked his No. 9 JR Motorsports Chevrolet at the finish line, emerged through his car\u2019s roof flap and raised his arms in triumph taking in the loud cheers from the Texas Motor Speedway grandstands as he celebrated a historic fourth consecutive NASCAR Xfinity Series victory Saturday afternoon in the Andy\u2019s Frozen Custard 300.<\/p>\n

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Noah Gragson, driver of the #9 Bass Pro Shops\/TrueTimber\/BRCC Chevrolet, takes the checkered flag to win the NASCAR Xfinity Series Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 at Texas Motor Speedway on September 24, 2022 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

It was a series best and career-high seventh win on the season for the 24-year old Las Vegas native and automatically reserves his spot in the next round of the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs. That fourth consecutive victory is significant historically as well – tying one of the longstanding records- set in 1983 – by Sam Ard.<\/p>\n

Although it was a tumultuous Playoff opener for many of the championship contenders, Gragson was out front often and ultimately when he needed to be. He didn\u2019t win a Stage, but led a race best 85-of-200 laps and held off fellow 2022 Playoff contenders Austin Hill and Ty Gibbs by 1.238-seconds to earn the big trophy – and even more momentum at just the right time of the calendar.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis No. 9 team, man, they\u2019re on fire and all you fans, you keep us motivated,\u2019\u2019 Gragson told the cheering grandstands. \u201cWe\u2019re gonna come back and win more races for you. You guys are awesome and we appreciate you. Thanks for coming out.<\/p>\n

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Ryan Sieg, driver of the #39 CMRroofing.com\/A-Game Ford, drives during the NASCAR Xfinity Series Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 at Texas Motor Speedway on September 24, 2022 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Sean Gardner\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cJust this team, I mean the pit crew\u2019s done awesome and our car was as fast as Xfinity internet all day and I\u2019m just so thankful for the opportunity.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cSuch a relief,\u2019\u2019 he continued. \u201cWe lost this race back in 2020 and just executed a great race [today],\u2019\u2019 he continued.<\/p>\n

Eight Playoff cars finished in the Top-10. Stewart-Haas Racing\u2019s Riley Herbst was fifth, followed by Playoff driver Josh Berry (JR Motorsports), Sheldon Creed, Playoff drivers Sam Mayer (JR Motorsports) and Ryan Sieg (Ryan Sieg Racing). C.J. McLaughlin was 10th \u2013 the first Top-10 of his career.<\/p>\n

Compared to his closest competitors, Gragson\u2019s day was more a matter of holding court. Several other race contenders and Playoff competitors had busier days of survival and the power of positive thinking.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Brandon Jones, driver of the #19 Menards\/Pelonis Toyota, leads the field to the green flag to start the NASCAR Xfinity Series Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 at Texas Motor Speedway on September 24, 2022 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

Both Gibbs, who finished third and regular season champion A.J. Allmendinger, who finished fourth, had to rally to those finishing positions. Gibbs started the race from the rear of the field after failing technical inspection. And the two-time regular season champion Allmendinger? He just had a hectic afternoon overcoming race setbacks.<\/p>\n

Two multi-car accidents on mid-race restarts eliminated the winning opportunity for several Playoff drivers and now place them in catch-up mode only one race into the Playoff push.<\/p>\n

Eight cars were involved in a crash on Lap 110, including regular season champion Allmendinger, whose No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet \u2013 only a few laps removed from the Stage 2 victory – was damaged. Quick repairs returned him to the track and the positions he lost during the pit stop actually proved to be advantageous as he missed the next accident up front after returning to the race.<\/p>\n

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Brandon Jones, driver of the #19 Menards\/Pelonis Toyota, drives during practice for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 at Texas Motor Speedway on September 24, 2022 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Sean Gardner\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

It was a similar scene on the ensuing restart, only this time the accident started at the front. John Hunter Nemechek, who had led a race best 60 laps \u2013 at that point – got loose at the front of the pack, his Toyota colliding with Justin Allgaier\u2019s Chevy.<\/p>\n

The hard contact sent them both hard into the wall and caused another chain-reaction accident that ended up collecting nine cars in all \u2013 including Playoff drivers Brandon Jones, the race polesitter, and 2021 series champion Daniel Hemric (who won Stage 1) in addition to Allgaier.<\/p>\n

As with that Playoff trio, It was the end of the day for Nemechek, a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship driver who was driving the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota at Texas as part of the owner\u2019s championship chase.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe 7 (Allgaier) chose the top behind me, and I haven\u2019t seen the replay of it, but the 7 chose the top behind me and started pushing,\u2019\u2019 Nemechek said. \u201cThe 21 (Austin Hill) made it three-wide on the 9 (Gragson) and I was three-wide at the top being able to be in the race and I think we ended up four-wide at one point which doesn\u2019t really work aero-wide in the pack. The resin was up there as well and I don\u2019t know. It sucks.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Brandon Jones, driver of the #19 Menards\/Pelonis Toyota, poses for photos after winning the pole award during qualifying for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 at Texas Motor Speedway on September 24, 2022 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by James Gilbert\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cI thought we were going to have a shot to win the race and repeat from last year. It didn\u2019t work out. I\u2019m looking forward to seeing what the future holds.\u201d<\/p>\n

With two more races remaining in this opening Playoff round \u2013 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway and the Charlotte ROVAL road course \u2013 Gragson\u2019s win is an automatic berth into the next Playoff round. Allmendinger and Gibbs are second and third in the standings, 26 and 27 points \u2013 respectively behind Allmendinger.<\/p>\n

Eight of the 12 Playoff drivers will advance following the ROVAL race.<\/p>\n

Riley Herbst (-1), Hemric (-8), Jones (-13) and Jeremy Clements (-29) whose car retired early with an engine issue, now find themselves in the bottom four of the Playoff standings going to Talladega.<\/p>\n

The NASCAR Xfinity Series races at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway for Round 2 of the Playoffs, the Sparks 300 on Saturday (4 p.m. ET, USA Network, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). Brandon Brown is the defending race winner.<\/p>\n

Interviews:<\/h3>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

NXS Winning Team Owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. –<\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/EarnhardtJrNXS092422.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

 <\/p>\n

NASCAR Xfinity Series Race – 18th Annual Andy’s Frozen Custard 300<\/b><\/p>\n

Texas Motor Speedway<\/b><\/p>\n

Fort Worth, Texas<\/b><\/p>\n

Saturday, September 24, 2022<\/b><\/p>\n

                1. (2)  Noah Gragson (P), Chevrolet, 200.<\/p>\n

                2. (9)  Austin Hill # (P), Chevrolet, 200.<\/p>\n

                3. (8)  Ty Gibbs (P), Toyota, 200.<\/p>\n

                4. (7)  AJ Allmendinger (P), Chevrolet, 200.<\/p>\n

                5. (11)  Riley Herbst (P), Ford, 200.<\/p>\n

                6. (16)  Josh Berry (P), Chevrolet, 200.<\/p>\n

                7. (13)  Sheldon Creed #, Chevrolet, 200.<\/p>\n

                8. (5)  Sam Mayer (P), Chevrolet, 200.<\/p>\n

                9. (14)  Ryan Sieg (P), Ford, 199.<\/p>\n

                10. (35)  CJ McLaughlin, Ford, 199.<\/p>\n

                11. (20)  Nicholas Sanchez, Chevrolet, 199.<\/p>\n

                12. (18)  Bayley Currey, Chevrolet, 199.<\/p>\n

                13. (24)  Stefan Parsons(i), Chevrolet, 199.<\/p>\n

                14. (29)  Tommy Joe Martins, Chevrolet, 199.<\/p>\n

                15. (17)  Jeb Burton, Chevrolet, 199.<\/p>\n

                16. (32)  Matt Mills(i), Chevrolet, 198.<\/p>\n

                17. (26)  Alex Labbe, Chevrolet, 197.<\/p>\n

                18. (19)  Joe Graf Jr, Ford, 197.<\/p>\n

                19. (25)  Anthony Alfredo, Chevrolet, 197.<\/p>\n

                20. (31)  Myatt Snider, Chevrolet, 196.<\/p>\n

                21. (23)  Parker Retzlaff, Chevrolet, 190.<\/p>\n

                22. (15)  Kyle Weatherman, Chevrolet, Accident, 141.<\/p>\n

                23. (37)  Garrett Smithley, Chevrolet, DVP, 132.<\/p>\n

                24. (22)  Brandon Brown, Chevrolet, Accident, 131.<\/p>\n

                25. (36)  Joey Gase, Toyota, DVP, 120.<\/p>\n

                26. (30)  Josh Williams, Chevrolet, Accident, 118.<\/p>\n

                27. (1)  Brandon Jones (P), Toyota, Accident, 117.<\/p>\n

                28. (4)  John Hunter Nemechek(i) (P), Toyota, Accident, 116.<\/p>\n

                29. (6)  Justin Allgaier (P), Chevrolet, Accident, 116.<\/p>\n

                30. (3)  Daniel Hemric (P), Chevrolet, Accident, 116.<\/p>\n

                31. (21)  Brennan Poole(i), Chevrolet, Accident, 116.<\/p>\n

                32. (33)  Mason Massey, Chevrolet, Accident, 116.<\/p>\n

                33. (12)  Landon Cassill, Chevrolet, Accident, 109.<\/p>\n

                34. (28)  JJ Yeley, Ford, Water Pump, 99.<\/p>\n

                35. (38)  Akinori Ogata(i), Toyota, Suspension, 99.<\/p>\n

                36. (10)  Jeremy Clements (P), Chevrolet, Ignition, 79.<\/p>\n

                37. (34)  David Starr, Ford, Accident, 77.<\/p>\n

                38. (27)  Jeffrey Earnhardt, Toyota, Accident, 17.<\/p>\n

Average Speed of Race Winner:  113.672 mph.<\/p>\n

Time of Race:  2 Hrs, 38 Mins, 21 Secs. Margin of Victory:  1.238 Seconds.<\/p>\n

Caution Flags:  9 for 52 laps.<\/p>\n

Lead Changes:  14 among 7 drivers.<\/p>\n

Lap Leaders:   B. Jones (P) 0;N. Gragson (P) 1-10;J. Nemechek(i) (P) 11-38;D. Hemric (P) 39-47;J. Nemechek(i) (P) 48-53;T. Gibbs (P) 54-55;J. Nemechek(i) (P) 56-81;T. Gibbs (P) 82;D. Hemric (P) 83-85;A. Allmendinger (P) 86-92;N. Gragson (P) 93-155;A. Hill # (P) 156;A. Allmendinger (P) 157-183;J. Burton 184-188;N. Gragson (P) 189-200.<\/p>\n

Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led):  Noah Gragson (P) 3 times for 85 laps; John Hunter Nemechek(i) (P) 3 times for 60 laps; AJ Allmendinger (P) 2 times for 34 laps; Daniel Hemric (P) 2 times for 12 laps; Jeb Burton 1 time for 5 laps; Ty Gibbs (P) 2 times for 3 laps; Austin Hill # (P) 1 time for 1 lap.<\/p>\n

Stage #1 Top Ten: 11,7,21,9,16,8,18,39,54,34<\/p>\n

Stage #2 Top Ten: 16,9,18,11,54,21,7,39,19,1<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  By Holly Cain NASCAR Wire Service FORT WORTH, Texas _ Noah Gragson parked his No. 9 JR Motorsports Chevrolet at the finish line, emerged through his car\u2019s roof flap and raised his arms in triumph taking in the loud cheers from the Texas Motor Speedway grandstands as he celebrated a historic fourth consecutive NASCAR […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":676,"featured_media":40375,"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":[11,13],"tags":[16,181,511,21],"class_list":["post-40370","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nascar","category-texas-motor-speedway","tag-nascar","tag-nascar-xfinity-series","tag-noah-gragson","tag-texas-motor-speedway"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/GettyImages-1427035610-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1707&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7hzTZ-av8","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40370","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=40370"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40370\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":40379,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40370\/revisions\/40379"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/40375"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40370"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=40370"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=40370"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}