{"id":40472,"date":"2022-10-01T18:30:19","date_gmt":"2022-10-01T23:30:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/?p=40472"},"modified":"2022-10-03T17:22:51","modified_gmt":"2022-10-03T22:22:51","slug":"aj-allmendinger-earns-elusive-superspeedway-win-advances-in-nascar-xfinity-series-playoffs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2022\/10\/01\/aj-allmendinger-earns-elusive-superspeedway-win-advances-in-nascar-xfinity-series-playoffs\/","title":{"rendered":"AJ Allmendinger earns elusive Superspeedway win, advances in NASCAR Xfinity Series playoffs"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"

AJ Allmendinger, driver of the #16 Action Industries Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series Sparks 300 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 01, 2022 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

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

TALLADEGA, Ala. \u2013 Three times A.J. Allmendinger has led the white flag lap on a superspeedway track and not been able to lead that next lap to earn the big trophy.<\/p>\n

\"\"

AJ Allmendinger, driver of the #16 Action Industries Chevrolet, takes the checkered flag to win the NASCAR Xfinity Series Sparks 300 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 01, 2022 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Chris Graythen\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

On Saturday, the veteran waited and pulled ahead of the field in the final feet coming to the Sparks 300 checkered flag at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway and edged 19-year old Sam Mayer by .015-second \u2013 about three feet – in a photo finish to earn his first NASCAR Xfinity Series win at NASCAR\u2019s biggest track.<\/p>\n

It marked the regular season champ Allmendinger\u2019s fourth victory in the No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet this season and first ever at a superspeedway venue. Most importantly, the win – coming in the second race of the opening round of the Playoffs – is an automatic ticket through to the next round of Xfinity Series Playoff competition.<\/p>\n

“Let\u2019s gooooooo,” an absolutely elated Allmendinger screamed into the grandstands after climbing out of his car and accepting the checkered flag at the iconic track.<\/p>\n

\"\"

AJ Allmendinger, driver of the #16 Action Industries Chevrolet, celebrates with a burnout after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series Sparks 300 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 01, 2022 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Chris Graythen\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

“Gosh, we\u2019ve been so close to winning one (superspeedway race) and I feel like I keep giving them away. Thought I might have given it away. I\u2019m still learning, trying to know what too big of a lead is. But honestly, all credit to (Kaulig teammate) Landon Cassill.<\/p>\n

“He kept shoving me. He stuck with me. That\u2019s what is great about Kaulig Racing, when you have teammates like Landon and Daniel (Hemric) that you know wherever you go, they\u2019ll go with you. So thank you Landon.<\/p>\n

“Man, I just wanted to win a superspeedway and finally got it,” added a grinning Allmendinger, who now claims 14 career Xfinity Series victories.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Austin Hill, driver of the #21 Bennett Transportation Chevrolet, leads the field to the green flag to start the NASCAR Xfinity Series Sparks 300 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 01, 2022 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Chris Graythen\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

Cassill finished third, followed by Ryan Sieg and JR Motorsports driver Josh Berry \u2013 all Playoff contenders. Parker Kligerman was sixth, followed by Playoff drivers Ty Gibbs, Daniel Hemric, Brandon Jones and Noah Gragson.<\/p>\n

It marked quite the comeback for Gibbs, who qualified on the front row, but was involved in the only on-track yellow flag for an incident on the afternoon. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver\u2019s No. 54 Toyota was tagged from behind by Justin Allgaier while racing in a tight pack up front only three laps into the 113-lap race. Gibbs spun out but was remarkably untouched by any other car.<\/p>\n

A quick pit stop and impressive pit strategy later, Gibbs was running around the Top-10 in the closing laps of the race and managed to recover to that seventh place final effort.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Austin Hill, driver of the #21 Bennett Transportation Chevrolet, Sheldon Creed, driver of the #2 Whelen Chevrolet, and Anthony Alfredo, driver of the #23 Dude Wipes Chevrolet, race during the NASCAR Xfinity Series Sparks 300 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 01, 2022 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gardner\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

Gragson, driver of the No. 9 JR Motorsports Chevrolet, was looking to become the first driver in NASCAR Xfinity Series history to win five consecutive races and was running among the Top-3 with 10 laps to go.<\/p>\n

His ultimate move forward for the win in the closing laps was blocked and he instead finished 10th. Although just short of that historic victory nod, he had already earned his automatic ticket to the Playoffs second round by virtue of his victory last week at Texas (his seventh on the season and fourth in a row).<\/p>\n

“We\u2019re going to keep it going,” Gragson said after the race. “I have a super motivated team… you want to win them all, but you can\u2019t do that sometimes.”<\/p>\n

Polesitter and series rookie Austin Hill, who swept the two stage wins and for the second straight race led the most laps \u2013 60 on Saturday \u2013 also dropped out of the lead group in the waning laps to the checkered flag. He finished 14th.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Trevor Bayne, driver of the #18 Dollar Concrete Toyota, leads the field during the NASCAR Xfinity Series Sparks 300 at Talladega Superspeedway on October 01, 2022 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Chris Graythen\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

With Allmendinger and Gragson having earned automatic bids in ton the next round of the Playoffs, Gibbs (-21) and Hill (-27) are ranked third and fourth in the standings, followed by Berry, Allgaier – who finished 15th Saturday \u2013 Mayer and Sieg in that eighth and final transfer position.<\/p>\n

Defending series champion Hemric  (-6), Brandon Jones (-10), Riley Herbst (-10) and Jeremy Clements (-47) are ranked ninth through 12th heading into the final race of this Playoff round.<\/p>\n

Up next is the Drive for the Cure 250 presented by BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina on Saturday (3 p.m. ET, NBC, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).  A.J. Allmendinger has won the last three races.<\/p>\n

Interview:<\/h3>\n

NXS race winner AJ Allmendinger (No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet) –<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

NASCAR Xfinity Series Race – 3rd Annual Sparks 300<\/strong><\/p>\n

Talladega Superspeedway<\/strong><\/p>\n

Talladega, Alabama<\/strong><\/p>\n

Saturday, October 1, 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n

                1. (8)  AJ Allmendinger (P), Chevrolet, 113.<\/p>\n

                2. (13)  Sam Mayer (P), Chevrolet, 113.<\/p>\n

                3. (18)  Landon Cassill, Chevrolet, 113.<\/p>\n

                4. (14)  Ryan Sieg (P), Ford, 113.<\/p>\n

                5. (7)  Josh Berry (P), Chevrolet, 113.<\/p>\n

                6. (9)  Parker Kligerman(i), Chevrolet, 113.<\/p>\n

                7. (2)  Ty Gibbs (P), Toyota, 113.<\/p>\n

                8. (12)  Daniel Hemric (P), Chevrolet, 113.<\/p>\n

                9. (5)  Brandon Jones (P), Toyota, 113.<\/p>\n

                10. (6)  Noah Gragson (P), Chevrolet, 113.<\/p>\n

                11. (23)  Riley Herbst (P), Ford, 113.<\/p>\n

                12. (3)  Sheldon Creed #, Chevrolet, 113.<\/p>\n

                13. (11)  Trevor Bayne (P), Toyota, 113.<\/p>\n

                14. (1)  Austin Hill # (P), Chevrolet, 113.<\/p>\n

                15. (4)  Justin Allgaier (P), Chevrolet, 113.<\/p>\n

                16. (20)  Anthony Alfredo, Chevrolet, 113.<\/p>\n

                17. (16)  Jeb Burton, Chevrolet, 113.<\/p>\n

                18. (35)  JJ Yeley, Chevrolet, 113.<\/p>\n

                19. (30)  Josh Williams, Chevrolet, 113.<\/p>\n

                20. (37)  Jeremy Clements (P), Chevrolet, 113.<\/p>\n

                21. (25)  Joey Gase, Ford, 113.<\/p>\n

                22. (19)  Joe Graf Jr., Ford, 113.<\/p>\n

                23. (26)  Derek Griffith, Toyota, 113.<\/p>\n

                24. (24)  Bayley Currey, Chevrolet, 112.<\/p>\n

                25. (33)  David Starr, Ford, 112.<\/p>\n

                26. (32)  BJ McLeod, Chevrolet, 112.<\/p>\n

                27. (36)  Timmy Hill(i), Chevrolet, 112.<\/p>\n

                28. (22)  Jesse Iwuji #, Chevrolet, 112.<\/p>\n

                29. (28)  CJ McLaughlin, Ford, 112.<\/p>\n

                30. (10)  Ryan Vargas, Chevrolet, 112.<\/p>\n

                31. (31)  Caesar Bacarella, Chevrolet, 112.<\/p>\n

                32. (34)  Howie Disavino III, Chevrolet, 112.<\/p>\n

                33. (17)  Brandon Brown, Chevrolet, 112.<\/p>\n

                34. (38)  Mike Harmon, Chevrolet, 111.<\/p>\n

                35. (21)  Myatt Snider, Chevrolet, 111.<\/p>\n

                36. (15)  Blaine Perkins(i), Chevrolet, 110.<\/p>\n

                37. (27)  Jeffrey Earnhardt, Ford, 109.<\/p>\n

                38. (29)  Mason Massey, Chevrolet, 95.<\/p>\n

Average Speed of Race Winner:  158.827 mph.<\/p>\n

Time of Race:  1 Hrs, 53 Mins, 33 Secs. Margin of Victory:  0.015 Seconds.<\/p>\n

Caution Flags:  3 for 11 laps.<\/p>\n

Lead Changes:  20 among 11 drivers.<\/p>\n

Lap Leaders:   A. Hill # (P) 1-7;J. Allgaier (P) 8-13;A. Hill # (P) 14-26;T. Hill(i) 27;A. Hill # (P) 28-30;T. Bayne (P) 31-40;S. Creed # 41-42;A. Hill # (P) 43-51;B. Currey 52;T. Bayne (P) 53-55;N. Gragson (P) 56;B. Jones (P) 57;R. Sieg (P) 58;A. Allmendinger (P) 59;R. Sieg (P) 60-69;B. Currey 70-80;A. Hill # (P) 81-108;S. Mayer (P) 109-110;A. Allmendinger (P) 111;S. Mayer (P) 112;A. Allmendinger (P) 113.<\/p>\n

Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led):  Austin Hill # (P) 5 times for 60 laps; Trevor Bayne (P) 2 times for 13 laps; Bayley Currey 2 times for 12 laps; Ryan Sieg (P) 2 times for 11 laps; Justin Allgaier (P) 1 time for 6 laps; AJ Allmendinger (P) 3 times for 3 laps; Sam Mayer (P) 2 times for 3 laps; Sheldon Creed # 1 time for 2 laps; Timmy Hill(i) 1 time for 1 lap; Brandon Jones (P) 1 time for 1 lap; Noah Gragson (P) 1 time for 1 lap.<\/p>\n

Stage #1 Top Ten: 21,2,11,19,18,16,7,54,68,1<\/p>\n

Stage #2 Top Ten: 21,7,16,18,27,1,68,19,39,8<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  By Holly Cain NASCAR Wire Service TALLADEGA, Ala. \u2013 Three times A.J. Allmendinger has led the white flag lap on a superspeedway track and not been able to lead that next lap to earn the big trophy. On Saturday, the veteran waited and pulled ahead of the field in the final feet coming to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":676,"featured_media":40483,"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":[637,16,181,208],"class_list":["post-40472","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nascar","tag-a-j-allmendinger","tag-nascar","tag-nascar-xfinity-series","tag-talladega-superspeedway"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/GettyImages-1429472158-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1808&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7hzTZ-awM","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40472","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=40472"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40472\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":40484,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40472\/revisions\/40484"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/40483"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40472"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=40472"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=40472"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}