Noah Gragson holds off Brandon Jones at Thunder Valley for third straight Xfinity Series Win
BRISTOL – September 16, 2022 – Anthony Holbrook
NASCAR Xfinity Series drivers had a final shot to earn a playoff ticket in the running of the Food City 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Following the conclusion of tonight’s events, Xfinity’s top 12 drivers will begin their Playoff Championship Journey starting next weekend. AJ Allmendinger leads the Season-Points Standings’ entering into tonight’s festivities at Thunder Valley.
Food City 300 Stage 1 Recap:
Ty Gibbs qualified a speed of 122.584 mph adding to his fourth pole of the season.
Green flag, Ty Gibbs overpowers Justin Allgaier and the field dominating every lap in Stage 1. Ty Gibbs avoids caution hurdles to remain in the lead, onward to Stage 1 accolades.
Food City 300 Stage 1 Results:
1. Ty Gibbs; 2. Justin Allgaier; 3. Noah Gragson; 4. Sam Mayer; 5. AJ Allmendinger; 6. Josh Berry; 7. Jeb Burton; 8. Daniel Hemric; 9. Landon Cassill; 10. Ryan Sieg
Food City 300 Stage 2 Recap:
Teenager Ty Gibbs seemed to be unstoppable but do his dismay trouble was in the horizon on Lap 129.
Racing side-by-side with Sheldon Creed for the lead, Ty Gibbs would be tagged from behind by Noah Gragson. The contact sent Ty unexpectedly into Sheldon Creed and surrounding traffic. Ty Gibbs suffered heavy damage in relation to collision and ending his hopes for another epic Coliseum Sword.
Unfortunately, Sheldon Creed‘s chances to vie for a playoff bid distinguished with damage sustained in same alteration.
Feast or famine Justin Allgaier avoids the carnage advancing to the lead the field.
Counting down the laps with only 4 remaining in Stage 2; 2nd place driver Sam Mayer loses grip while maneuvering 3 wide through upcoming lap traffic. Mayer’s hasty decision will end the Stage under the yellow flag.
Justin Allgaier wins stage two under caution at Bristol!
Food City 300 Stage 2 Results:
1. Justin Allgaier; 2. Noah Gragson; 3. AJ Allmendinger; 4. Brandon Jones; 5. Riley Herbst; 6. Austin Hill; 7. Jeb Burton; 8. Daniel Hemric; 9. Sam Mayer; 10. Sammy Smith;
Food City 300 Stage 3 / Final Recap:
As 50 deciding laps remaining, Justin Allgaier led Jr Motorsports teammate Noah Gragson by 2.3 seconds as Noah closing within site.
With 25 laps to go, Justin Allgaier impatiently attempts a three wide move in middle of Turn 4. The maneuver invites a caution as JJ Yelly received the short end of stick and was punted into the inside barrier wall.
Justin Allgaier and most of the field hits the pit lane for final service. Noah Gragson gambles as the only front running car opting not to pit under caution.
Justin Allgaier will drop to the rear after receiving a pit lane speeding ticket.
With Allgaier out of contention, Noah Gragson “Rides the Rim” while battling challenges from an aggressive Brandon Jones.
Noah Gragson guards off any approaching danger to be awarded a covet Coliseum Sword.
Brandon Jones will finish second and will resume driving obligations for the No.9 (Noah Gragson) car the ensuing year.
Justin Algieger who led a race-high 148 laps, finished a disappointing ninth after speeding penalty.
Bristol Motor Speedway
NASCAR Xfinity Series
Food City 300 Race Results
Pos | Driver
1. Noah Gragson
2. Brandon Jones
3. Austin Hill
4. Sam Mayer
5. Riley Herbst
6. AJ Allmendinger
7. Josh Berry
8. Stefan Parsons
9. Justin Allgaier
10. Ryan Sieg
11. Bayley Currey
12. Jeffrey Earnhardt
13. Anthony Alfredo
14. Sammy Smith
15. Jeb Burton
16. Jeremy Clements
17. Kyle Weatherman
18. Sage Karam
19. Ryan Ellis
20. Daniel Hemric
21. Josh Williams
22. Myatt Snider
23. Joe Graf Jr
24. CJ McLaughlin
25. Kris Wright
26. Alex Labbe
27. Patrick Emerling
28. Ronnie Bassett Jr
29. Nicholas Sanchez
30. David Starr
31. Bobby McCarty
32. Mason Massey
33. JJ Yeley
34. BJ McLeod
35. Landon Cassill
36. Ty Gibbs
37. Sheldon Creed
38. Brandon Brown
Bristol Motor Speedway
NASCAR Xfinity Points Standing (After Food City 300)
Pos | Driver | Points
1. Noah Gragson
6 Wins
2. Ty Gibbs
5 Wins
3. Justin Allgaier
3 Wins
4. AJ Allmendinger
3 Wins
5. Josh Berry
2 Wins
6. Austin Hill
2 Wins
7. Brandon Jones
1 Win
8. Jeremy Clements
1 Win
9. Sam Mayer
10. Riley Herbst
11. Daniel Hemric
+37
12. Ryan Sieg
+5
— Playoff Cutline —
13. Landon Cassill
-5
14. Sheldon Creed
-40
15. Anthony Alfredo
-105
16. Brandon Brown
-127
The NASCAR Xfinity Series locates to the Lone star State, Saturday, Sept 24, 2022 for the Andy’s Frozen Custard 300, , hosted by the Texas Motor Speedway : 3:30 pm USA / PRN / Sirius XM NASCAR 90