Race Report: Las Vegas II

Justin Allgaier and the BRANDT Professional Agriculture team earned their 11^th top-five finish of the year in Saturday’s regular season finale at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, placing fifth in the 300-mile NASCAR Xfinity Series race. Allgaier enters the NXS Playoffs as the sixth seed, 43 points behind the leader.

The JR Motorsports driver qualified third for the 200-lap event and wasted no time advancing his position, moving into the second spot by the completion of the first lap. Allgaier radioed to the team that he was losing front grip as the run went on but continued to hold on to the second position through the conclusion of caution-free Stage One. During the stage-ending caution, crew chief Jason Burdett called Allgaier to pit road for four tires, fuel and an air-pressure adjustment.

The Illinois native fired off for the second stage from the second position on lap 52 and momentarily took over the lead, but fell back to third as he reported that the BRANDT Camaro was tighter than the first run. Still, he advanced his position back up to second on lap 80 and remained there when the green-and-white checkered flag to end Stage Two on lap 90.

Determined to improve the handling of the BRANDT Chevy, the team called Allgaier in for four tires, fuel and multiple adjustments. Taking the green flag for the final stage in third, the driver of the No. 7 moved up to second and relayed shortly after that the BRANDT Camaro was free in Turns 3 and 4 and tight on exit at both ends of the track. When a caution came out on lap 112, the team took the opportunity to hit pit road for fuel, tires and another round of adjustments.

Allgaier restarted in second and took over the lead on lap 116. He paced the field until lap 127 when Christopher Bell retook the position. When another caution came out just two laps later, the team opted to stay out on the track with a majority of the field, while a few cars opted to pit for fuel. Back under green, Allgaier was running in the second position when he reported to the team that the BRANDT Chevy was sideways through the center and tight on exit.

As a long green-flag run ensued, Allgaier continued to battle for position and was running in fourth when green-flag stops began just past lap 165. The BRANDT team opted to come to pit road for four tires, fuel and adjustments. With some cars on varying pit strategies, Allgaier was able to work his way back up to the fifth position before the checkered flag waved.

Tyler Reddick stretched his fuel to win the regular season finale and was followed by Bell, with Brandon Jones, Cole Custer and Allgaier rounding out the top five.

Allgaier ends the regular season with 11 top fives and 18 top 10s, with 455 laps led.

Justin Allgaier, driver No. 7 BRANDT Professional Agriculture team

“We had a great BRANDT Professional Agriculture Camaro early on, especially when the sun was out. We tried to make some adjustments to try to keep up with the change in track and unfortunately just didn’t keep up with it enough there. It was still a solid day for us. To be able to drive up and take the lead there was good. I’m proud of all of these guys and I’m proud of everybody at JR Motorsports. We’ll keep digging, but I feel like today we made big steps towards inserting our presence into that final four hopefully when the playoffs get down to Homestead.”