Race 13 of 33: BetMGM 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway
Track Specs: 1.5-mile quad-oval / 200 laps
Race Winner: William Byron
Zilisch’s finish: 2nd
Allgaier’s finish: 4th
Kvapil’s finish: 17th
Smith’s finish: 38th
Connor Zilisch
Connor Zilisch made a strong return to the NASCAR Xfinity Series, scoring a second-place finish Saturday afternoon at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Zilisch started second and ran with the leaders throughout Stage One, holding off JRM teammate Justin Allgaier to finish second when the opening segment of the race ended on lap 45. Zilisch pitted during the stage-ending caution on lap 49 for four tires and an air-pressure adjustment and lined up fourth when the race went back to green on lap 52. He picked off third place on lap 58 and stayed there for the remainder of Stage Two. The driver of the Jarrett Chevrolet made a four-tire stop under yellow on lap 94 and restarted fifth on lap 98. He survived an untimely caution in the middle of a green-flag pit-stop cycle on lap 145 and restarted second at lap 154. He made his final stop for four tires on lap 180, but a mix of pit strategies among the leaders shuffled him back to ninth on when the race went green on lap 183. On the restart, a car bounced into Zilisch’s left rear, causing a minor tire rub. The young driver brushed aside that misfortune and found himself with a chance to win the race when the final caution flag of the day pushed the race into the NASCAR version of overtime. He lined up second for the two-lap sprint to the finish, but couldn’t find a way past leader William Byron and was forced to settle for second place at the checkered flag.
“I felt really good in the car, no problems at all. Second place is never fun, but I’m very grateful for my Jarrett Chevrolet team. Our car was fast, but on that last restart we had a tire rub and I don’t think that was helping us, but to come away second with some really good stage points is a good day. I am really proud of our JR Motorsports team. We executed all day long and put ourselves in position to win.”
Justin Allgaier
Justin Allgaier, driver of the No. 8 Hellmann’s/Defense Commissary Agency Chevrolet, scored a hard-fought fourth-place finish on the NASCAR Xfinity Series event at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday afternoon. Allgaier, who led a race-high 103 laps, earned valuable stage points at the conclusion of both Stage One and Stage Two and came home with his series-leading ninth top-five finish of the season with the result. Additionally, by virtue of his strong finish, Allgaier extended his lead in the championship standings to 73 markers ahead of second place.
“This Hellmann’s/Defense Commissary Agency Chevrolet was so fast today. Jim (Pohlman, crew chief) and all the guys on this No. 7 team gave me a great car. I just wish that we were able to close it out up front. We did the best we could there at the end, it’s just unfortunate that we kept having those cautions. I can’t thank all of these guys enough and everyone at JR Motorsports. It’s a great feeling to come to the race track with a car this fast and I know that we will be just as strong next week at Nashville.”
Carson Kvapil
Carson Kvapil, driver of the No. 1 Bass Pro Shops/Clarience Technologies Chevrolet, qualified 12th for his first NASCAR Xfinity Series start at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday afternoon. Throughout the first two stages, Kvapil battled the handling of his Chevrolet while holding his position in the top 15, ultimately finishing Stage Two just outside the top 10 in 11th. After starting the final stage in 10th, the 21-year-old worked his way up to seventh before the field began to make green-flag pit stops. Unfortunately, after rejoining the field following his stop, the yellow flag was displayed, forcing Kvapil to restart in 20th after having to take the wave-around to get back on the lead lap. The rookie then made quick work of the field, breaking into the top five with 25 laps remaining. He would hold that track position for several laps before being involved in a late-race incident. After rejoining the field off the lead lap, Kvapil persevered through NASCAR’s version of overtime, earning the free pass and finishing on the lead lap in the 17th position.
“This No. 1 team worked hard to give me a great piece for this weekend. We got unlucky with our strategy not playing our like we hoped and then a mistake on my part put us behind, but I can’t thank this team enough for not giving up the fight. We are going to use this as a learning experience and keep working to get a great finish for Johnny Morris and everyone at Bass Pro Shops and Clarience Technologies.”
Sammy Smith
Sammy Smith, driver of the No. 8 Pilot Chevrolet, qualified 13th for Saturday afternoon’s Bet MGM 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway and ran inside the top 10 for much of the 200-lap NASCAR Xfinity Series event.
With cooler temperatures making it difficult to find grip on the track surface, Smith was forced to deal with an edgy car that needed more front turn. After finishing 12th in Stage One, the JR Motorsports crew called Smith down pit road to bolt on fresh tires and make an adjustment to help the handling. Smith was able to grab a few extra positions throughout the 45-lap second stage to cross the finish line in 10th, gaining a valuable stage point. While under the stage-ending caution, the Iowa native asked for help with the short runs as it was taking too long for the car to come in.
Smith quickly drove from 11th to battling for sixth with JRM teammate Carson Kvapil as the final segment began. Smith gained the position and set his sights forward to fifth. Nearly 20 laps after securing a spot in the top five, Smith made his scheduled pit stop under green. As he left pit road to merge back into the field, the caution waved, setting him to start 15th. Two more cautions over the next 20 laps saw crew chief Phillip Bell call Smith back to pit road for adjustments to help the car on short runs. The race went to overtime with Smith in eighth, starting behind a pair of his JRM teammates. Over the final two laps, Smith drove all the way up to fifth to close out the 200-lap event.
However, Smith’s finish was nullified after an infraction was found during post-race inspection and Smith was ultimately scored 38th on the day.
“I am proud of his No. 8 Pilot team, they put up a good fight today. We had a really fast car and it felt good to drive up through the field like we did. I’m grateful for the support of Pilot, TMC and Allstate Peterbilt Group. We’re on the right track to get them in Victory Lane again soon.”