O’Reilly: Mid-Race Report; Allgaier Searches for Repeat

What’s Happening?

Two stages down in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series LiUNA at Vegas. Justin Allgaier, last week’s winner and the defending winner of the race, set the pace early, sweeping the stages. But, in the closing laps of the second stage, Chase Briscoe, driving the JGR No. 19, was reeling him in.

Surprisingly, a non-factor in the early laps of this race was Kyle Larson in the JRM No. 88. He finished 7th in the opening stage and 5th in the second stage. Though we did get some really good hard-nosed racing between him and his protege, Corey Day, as they battled hard for a top 5 spot. Another notable was Carson Kvapil. Driving the No. 9 for JRM, he finished the second stage in 10th.

Halfway through the race, here is where everyone stacks up heading into the final stage.

• While it looked like Sam Mayer might be the driver to beat today in the opening laps of the race, in the latter laps of Stage 1, defending winner Justin Allgaier’s No. 7 Jett Chevy came to life. He made quick work of the No. 41 and wrestled the lead away to secure the opening stage victory.
• Stage 1 got off to a slow start as we had two cautions early. On Lap 2, Connor Zilisch and Jeremy Clements bounced off of one another. There was limited damage to both cars with Zilisch being able to rebound as the race wore on. Then, on Lap 14, the caution came out for Cole Custer spinning. He was able to rebound as well after adjustments.
• Stage 1 points earners were Justin Allgaier (10), Mayer (9), Gray (7), Creed (6), Love (5), Day (3), and Jones (1).
• During the stage break pit stops, Justin Allgaier was a little slow. He relinquished the lead to Jesse Love and Taylor Gray, dropping him down to 3rd in the race off pit road.
• Nevertheless, Allgaier fought back, leading 43 laps early. He went on to sweep the stages. During the second stage, Jeremy Clements had further issues, going for a solo spin in the grass.
• Stage 2 points earners were Allgaier (10), Gray (8), Love (7), Creed (5), Day (4), Hill (2), and Kvapil (1).

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