Menu
Today, the NASCAR Xfinity Series took to the Monster Mile at Dover Motor Speedway. The talk heading into the race is how the veterans (so far) have come up short in the win column compared to their less-experienced fellow racers. Justin Allgaier, A. J. Allmendinger, and Cole Custer are still looking for their first wins of the season while Chandler Smith, Austin Hill, and rookie Jesse Love have been the ones really racking up the wins recently. How did the vets compare to the youngsters when up against Miles the Monster? Let’s break it down.
Brandon Jones qualified on the pole, his second of the year. Not far behind him was his JRM teammate, Justin Allgaier. It didn’t take long for the No. 7 of Allgaier to capture the lead. Once on the point, the veteran driver went on to win the opening stage. This win was the fourth stage win of 2024 for Allgaier and the 7 team.
With some drivers deciding to short pit midway through the first stage, Allgaier and the leaders lost some track position when the race went back green. Last week’s winner at Talladega, Jesse Love, found himself in the lead. He led just over 10 laps before being passed by veteran Cole Custer. Custer went on to win the second stage, meaning that early on, this race was a statement from the veterans. This was Cole Custer’s second stage win of the season.
With less than 50 laps to go, the race became between Custer, a hard-charging Allgaier, and the surrounding showers in the Dover area. Allgaier was battling extremely loose conditions while also slowly reeling in the 00 of Cole Custer. As both drivers weaved their way through lap traffic, the weather moved in. Though it at first appeared that the race was going to get restarted, Sammy Smith’s No. 8 running out of gas further delayed the action. As the rain picked back up, the decision was made to bring the field down pit road.
Everyone thought from there that the race would be over. However, NASCAR ordered drivers to stay in their cars and brought them back on track moments later. As they were turning pace laps, Cole Custer pitted with Allgaier assuming the lead. They restarted only for yet another caution to fly. This forced Allgaier’s hand and the No. 7 had to pit as well.
Austin Hill then assumed the lead with Sheldon Creed and the No. 88 of Carson Kvapil not far behind. The race restarted with 12 laps to go and it instantly became a battle between former teammates. There clearly was still no love lost between Creed and Hill. Their intense battle, however, seemed to be the big break Carson Kvapil needed. The 88 took the lead with 9 laps to go.
That said, trouble with Riley Herbst caused yet another caution, sending us over into NASCAR overtime. Upon the restart, Kvapil took the outside with Hill restarting on the bottom. Beneath Kvapil, Austin Hill got loose and went around, collecting the No. 7 of Justin Allgaier. Caution waived again, meaning another attempt at NASCAR overtime.
For the second and final overtime attempt, defending winner Ryan Truex started on Kvapil’s inside and was able to take the lead. After he took the white flag, a caution involving Justin Allgaier ended the race. Ryan Truex repeated in victory at Dover Motor Speedway.
The main character in this story is the winner Ryan Truex. This is his second career Xfinity win as he repeats as the winner from 2023. Congratulations to the Truex family! No doubt all eyes will be on MTJ tomorrow to see if the family can sweep the weekend for the second year in a row.
The early stages of this race seemed to be between the JRM driver Justin Allgaier and the SHR driver Cole Custer–aka, the veterans of the NASCAR Xfinity Series. With just over 30 laps to go, the field was red-flagged and parked on pit road. We all thought it was over right there. However, the race restarted and Custer had to pit due to being low on fuel. He was able to rebound, however, as he finished in the 5th position.
The driver of the No. 88 for JRM really impressed today at the Monster Mile. After leading a handful of laps late, he ended the race in 3rd. Here is an interview a NASCAR on FOX reporter did with his father, Truck Series Champion Travis Kvapil.
The first caution flag of the day occurred when veteran J. J. Yeley and rookie Hailie Deegan got together. The incident ruined Yeley’s race as he ultimately retired from the race. Deegan, however, was able to continue on. She lost a lap in the process. You can watch a full clip of the incident below.
The second caution of the day came near the halfway point of the opening stage. It has been a tough couple of weeks for Sieg and his No. 39 self-owned team. He was so close to victory a couple of weeks ago at Texas. Now, in Dover, his race ended prematurely as his car suddenly burst into flames. He was able to exit the car in a timely manner but it was a scary moment for sure. You can see the severity of the fire in the clip below.
In his No. 5 Chevy, Fast Pasta himself, Anthony Alfredo was able to cash in on the Xfinity Series Dash4Cash!
That’s another wild one in the books, NASCAR fans! Who were you pulling for in the closing laps of this one at the Monster Mile? Me, I’ve always been partial to whoever was wheeling the No. 88. Good run for Kvapil, though. Do you think his performance today earned him a ride next year? Let us know! Also, let us know how your favorite Xfinity Series driver did. Are you happy with the Truex repeat? Spill all your opinions, thoughts, and concerns on our social media.
In addition, be sure to be back right here at DailyDownforce.com tomorrow for our coverage of the Cup race at Dover Motor Speedway!
