Bristol, TN. – September 16, 2023
The Nascar Xfinity Series traveled to Bristol Motor Speedway for 300 laps on the “World’s Fastest Half Mile Track.”
This race kicked off the 2023 Xfinity Championship, many eyes were set on returning 2004 Race Winner Dale Earnhardt Jr. debuting in one of two NASCAR Cup Series starts this 2023 season.
Food City 300
Stage 1 Recap:
The opening green flag went to pole sitter Cole Custer as he used the progressive high line to secure the lead. The field would eventually move to the lower and preferable lane around the track in the early-Stage 1 segment.
With the sun setting and 10 laps remaining in Stage 1, drivers were challenged to adapt as the track itself began to change.
The favored lane now shifted to the High Lane, allowing drivers to catapult out of turns and advance through the field.
Cole utilized the high line to his advantage and cross under the Stage 1 Checker flag first!
Cole Custer dominates Stage 1 at Thunder Valley!
Food City 300
Stage 1 Results:
1. Cole Custer
2. Justin Allgaier
3. Brandon Jones
4. John Hunter Nemechek
5. Trevor Bayne
6. Chandler Smith
7. Parker Kligerman
8. Sam Mayer
9. Dale Earnhardt Jr
10. Sammy Smith
Food City 300
Stage 2 Recap:
Cole Custer and Justin Allgaier continued to clash in the 2nd segment, interchanging lanes and lead. Allgaier paced the field while 40-year-old veteran Dale Earnhardt Jr. patiently eased his way to the front to contend with the leaders by lap 110. In due course, Dale Jr required pit service and had to forfeit his track position.
Justin Allgaier survived a late charge from Cole Custer for Stage 2 Honors at Bristol Motor Speedway!
Food City 300
Stage 2 Results:
1. Justin Allgaier
2. Cole Custer
3. Austin Hill
4. Dale Earnhardt Jr
5. Trevor Bayne
6. John Hunter Nemechek
7. Daniel Hemric
8. Riley Herbst
9. Chandler Smith
10. Jeffrey Earnhardt
Food City 300
Final Stage Recap:
The final scheduled stage caution invited many of the leaders, Dale Earnhardt Jr. opted to decline pit service and lead the pack to green.
An untimely caution courtesy of Jeremy Clements divided pit cycles as teams gambled with pit decision. Earnhardt Jr. continued to set the pace, beside team-driver Allgaier a close 2nd.
Dale Jr. relinquishes his lead when he had to pit for service after Austin Hill and teammate Sheldon Creed’s disastrous confrontation. Allgaier resumed control of the race lead, refusing Pit Service for a Real-Estate voucher.
With 30 laps remaining, Dale Jr. noticed an interior fire around the floor footing section. Earnhardt Jr. was removed from the car and the flawed wiring will be investigated.
With 13 laps to go, Allgaier shot past Daniel Hemric to take the lead. Justin Allgaier dominated the opening Playoff Race with the Victory at Bristol Motor Speedway!
Bristol Motor Speedway
NASCAR Xfinity Series
Food City 300 Race Results
Pos | Driver
1. Justin Allgaier
2. Daniel Hemric
3. John Hunter Nemechek
4. Cole Custer
5. Chandler Smith
6. Ryan Sieg
7. Trevor Bayne
8. Riley Herbst
9. Sammy Smith
10. Kaz Grala
11. Sheldon Creed
12. Derek Kraus
13. Jeb Burton
14. Connor Mosack
15. Parker Retzlaff
16. Brett Moffitt
17. Rajah Caruth
18. Ryan Ellis
19. Stefan Parsons
20. Josh Williams
21. Kyle Sieg
22. Brennan Poole
23. Kyle Weatherman
24. Jeremy Clements
25. Anthony Alfredo
26. Joe Graf Jr
27. Josh Bilicki
28. Blaine Perkins
29. Chad Finchum
30. Dale Earnhardt Jr
31. Parker Kligerman
32. Jeffrey Earnhardt
33. Austin Hill
34. Brandon Jones
35. Sam Mayer
36. Josh Berry
37. BJ McLeod
38. Timmy Hill
Bristol Motor Speedway
NASCAR Xfinity Points Standing
(After Food City 300 9/15/2023)
Pos | Driver | Points
1. Justin Allgaier | 1 Win
2. John Hunter Nemechek | +65
3. Cole Custer | +39
4. Austin Hill | +21
5. Chandler Smith | +18
6. Daniel Hemric | +12
7. Sammy Smith | +5
8. Sheldon Creed | +4
— Round of 8 Cutline —
9. Jeb Burton | -4
10. Sam Mayer | -14
11. Parker Kligerman | -22
12. Josh Berry | -24
The NASCAR Xfinity Series locates to the Lone star State, for the Andy’s Frozen Custard 300, hosted by the Texas Motor Speedway:
Saturday, Sept 23, 2023
3:30 pm E.T.
USA / PRN / Sirius XM NASCAR 90
