Tyler Reddick won the Alsco 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway Saturday afternoon, claiming his fifth career NASCAR Xfinity Series victory. He led 110 of the 200 laps, so he definitely had the best car.
Reddick wheeled his No. 2 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet around the attrition, he avoided the high lane, and he didn’t suffer tire issues. That earned him the right to celebrate at victory lane in the backyard for many NASCAR teams.
A lack of grip on the high lane, combined with tire issues, left plenty of drivers with a stripe on the right side of their cars — or worse. Chase Briscoe, John Hunter Nemechek, Josh Williams and David Starr were among the drivers who struggled with damaged race cars.
Austin Dillon‘s No. 10 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet suffered a broken crush panel after contact with Nemechek. With the heat and fumes taking their toll, Dillon pulled his car onto pit road and exited his race car. Daniel Hemric took over as a substitute driver with 40 laps remaining but ultimately parked the car early, and Dillon was credited with a 28th-place finish.
The first stage was relatively clean, and Christopher Bell won to add another playoff point to his total. The only caution flag came when Timmy Hill‘s No. 66 MBM Motorsports Toyota blew an engine. Matt Mills drove into those fluids, and he spun his No. 5 B.J. McLeod Motorsports Chevrolet. Fortunately, Mills continued racing, although he reportedly did not feel good for much of the race.
With a few laps left to go in the first stage, Justin Haley felt a crush panel come out of his No. 11 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet. He pitted for a flat tire. NASCAR didn’t throw a caution flag, and Cole Custer ran over the debris. NASCAR had its reasoning why it didn’t throw the caution flag.
NASCAR saw the debris near the end of the first stage, but when communicating with its spotters in the area (typically in that scenario, ask what it is), thought it had moved into the SAFER Barrier so didn't throw it.
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) May 25, 2019
The attrition began in the second stage. Austin Cindric spun due to a loose race car, but he saved his No. 22 Team Penske Ford from further damage.
With two laps left to go in the stage, two Joe Gibbs Racing Toyotas blew right front tires and smacked the wall. After Brandon Jones hit the wall, he immediately pitted. His teammate Bell elected to keep his No. 20 Toyota on track until the end of the stage. Unfortunately, Bell’s No. 20 Toyota caught fire due to damage suffered from the contact with the wall and the right front blown tire. His day ended on the spot while Jones was able to continue.
Game. Changer. ?@CBellRacing and @BrandonJonesRac have heavy contact with the wall right before the end of Stage 2. pic.twitter.com/ACIgqFdyg6
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) May 25, 2019
Reddick captured the stage victory. With the departure of Bell from the race, Reddick had one less contending driver to compete against.
At the beginning of the third and final stage, Briscoe spun his tires. The domino effect ended up with Mason Diaz hitting the wall and Joey Gase also getting collected. Diaz’s day was done but Gase pitted for tires and continued racing.
With about 90 laps to go, Nemechek drove up in the high lane. His No. 23 GMS Racing Chevrolet got loose and he smacked the wall. As he tried to get down to pit lane, Dillon drove his No. 10 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet into the rear end of the No. 23 Chevrolet. Nemechek’s contact with the wall brought out another caution.
As the caution flags flew and more drivers suffered damage to their cars, Nemechek, Custer and Justin Allgaier appeared ready to challenge Reddick for the victory. Nemechek raced hard, but he ultimately finished in 12th place.
Custer tried to make up ground on the high side, but he made more contact with the wall. As a result, he pitted once more for another flat tire and damage. He finished four laps down in 24th place.
NASCAR XFINITY SERIES ALSCO 300 RESULTS
As for Allgaier, while he chased Reddick, he lacked race-winning speed in his No. 7 JR Motorsports Chevrolet. Not overdriving his car though, Allgaier finished in second place. In his post-race interview, he was glad to have finished in second place as he noted he has previously struggled at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Jeffrey Earnhardt finished a career-best third behind the wheel of the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. Rookies Noah Gragson and Haley rounded out the top five.
For Reddick, the win reinforces his earlier victory at Talladega and gives him even more points to take into this year’s playoffs, where it looks increasingly like he’ll have every chance to repeat as NASCAR Xfinity Series champion.
About the author
Mark Kristl joined Frontstretch at the beginning of the 2019 NASCAR season. He is the site's ARCA Menards Series editor. Kristl is also an Eagle Scout and a proud University of Dayton alum.
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