Allgaier’s Restart Magic Earns Another Darlington Win for JRM

March 22, 2026

Race 5 of 33: Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help a Hero 200 at Darlington Raceway
Track Specs: 1.366-mile oval / 200 laps
Race Winner: Justin Allgaier
Larson’s finish: 4th
Kvapil’s finish: 5th
Smith’s finish: 9th
Chastain’s finish: 14th

Justin Allgaier

Justin Allgaier, driver of the No. 7 BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet, scored his fourth career NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series victory at Darlington Raceway on Saturday evening, capturing the checkered flag after taking the lead for the final time following a thrilling late-race restart with 15 laps remaining. With the victory, Allgaier moves into a tie for seventh on the all-time NOAPS win list with Joey Logano and makes the JR Motorsports driver just the eighth driver in series history to eclipse the 30-win mark. The triumph also gives the veteran driver multiple wins for the seventh consecutive season dating back to 2020 an allows the Illinois native to extend his lead in the championship to 52 points.

“What a great night for everyone on this BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet. Andrew (Overstreet, crew chief) made great calls and adjustments throughout the race that put us in a position to go and race for the win. Tonight was just a testament to how this No. 7 team never gives up. We fought hard all night long and I’m just so happy that we were able to come home with the with, especially when we have the man Rick Brandt here with is. Once again, like he always says, tonight we caused a party. It’s just a special night and a special win.”

Kyle Larson:

Kyle Larson, in the No. 88 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, dominated much of Saturday’s race at Darlington Raceway, leading early and often after starting from the pole. Larson controlled the opening stage and secured the stage win despite a loss of rear grip over the final laps of the run. Continuing his strong performance, Larson remained out front for most of Stage Two, earning the stage victory while noting the car was strong in clean air but needed to be slightly tighter on longer runs. After restarting third in the final stage, Larson worked his way back to the lead by lap 114 before a late-race caution brought the field to pit road. A late pit stop shuffled Larson back in the running order, forcing him to restart fifth with limited laps remaining. Despite gaining a spot in the closing laps, Larson ultimately crossed the line in fourth after a strong showing that included sweeping both stages.

“I felt like we had a really strong No. 88 HEndrickCars.com Chevy today. It was really good in clean air and we were able to control both stages, so that was encouraging. We just fought being a little too free on the longer runs and then lost some track position there late, which made it tough to recover. Still proud of the effort from everyone on this team-we’ll clean it up and come back ready for the next one.”

Carson Kvapil

Carson Kvapil, driver of the No. 1 Champion Irrigation Chevrolet, earned a strong fifth-place finish Saturday evening in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series event at Darlington Raceway. Kvapil took the green flag from the third position and held strong inside the top three throughout the first stage. The JR Motorsports driver was battling a tight car during the first stage, but after pit stops, Kvapil climbed up to second position and the No. 1 Champion Irrigation Chevrolet was handling better. When the green-and-white checkered flag waved at the end of Stage Two, Kvapil was second across the line. Kvapil continued to fight for position as the final stage began and battled hard to stay in the top five, ultimately finishing the race in fifth when the checkered flag waved.

“Today was a very strong showing for the No. 1 Champion Irrigation team. Rodney (Childers, crew chief) and the entire No. 1 team kept on improving the car during the entire evening. We collected valuable stage points the entire race and were able to move into third in the standings. I’m looking forward to carrying all this momentum we have to Martinsville next weekend.”

Sammy Smith

Sammy Smith, driver of the No. 8 Allstate Peterbilt Group Chevrolet, entered Darlington Raceway sixth in points and defended that with a solid ninth-place finish Saturday afternoon in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series event.

After qualifying 18th for the Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help a Hero 200, crew chief Cory Shea knew they had a strong long-run car and were ready to take on 147 laps around The Track Too Tough to Tame. Smith drove up to 11th in Stage One despite fighting a loose-handling Chevrolet. After a stop for fresh tires, fuel and an air-pressure adjustment, the crew got him back out quickly enough to restart eighth in Stage Two. The temperatures began to drop as the race went later into the evening, causing Smith and several other drivers to lose grip all around the challenging oval. With the second stage going caution-free, the No. 8 stayed out and held on to finish 16th.

The No. 8 pit crew had another great stop, gaining five positions off pit road to restart 11th for the final stage. Smith worked his way up to ninth when a caution flew with 25 laps remaining. Smith pitted with the rest of the field and asked for help on short-run speed. The JR Motorsports pit crew made another quick stop to put their driver sixth for the restart with just 15 laps remaining. Smith and his team fought hard over the remaining distance to bring home a third-place finish, their fifth top-10 of the season.

“I’m happy we were able to come away with a top-10 finish tonight with our Allstate Peterbilt Group Chevrolet. Cory (Shea, crew chief) made some really good changes throughout the day and I’m happy we were able to come away with a solid points day in the end.”

Ross Chastain:

Ross Chastain, driver of the No. 8 Jarrett Chevrolet, rolled off in the ninth position for his first start in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series for JR Motorsports this season. Throughout the first 45 laps, Chastain battled the balance of his car, but held on to his spot in the top 10. After a trip down pit road for tires, fuel and adjustments, Chastain was able to work his way through the field, knocking on the door of the top five to end the second stage. Before beginning the final stage, an incident on pit road forced the JRM to drop back to the tail of the field to start the final stage. Chastain charged his way to the top 15 before a late-race accident brought out the caution once again. Taking advantage of this opportunity, crew chief Phillip Bell called for a trip down pit road for some additional adjustments and four fresh tires to continue to help the handling of the Jarrett Chevrolet. Lining up 16th for the final restart, Chastain charged toward the front, ultimately taking the checkered flag in 14th position.

“This No. 9 team brought me a great car this weekend. We just had some bad luck on pit road that was beyond our control and set us back towards the end. I always have a great time coming over and racing with JRM and I can’t wait to be back in their car at Dover.”