Race Report: Daytona II
JR Motorsports Race Report |
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July 6th, 2018 | |
Race 16 of 33: | Firecracker 250 at Daytona International Speedway |
Track Specs: | 2.5 mile tri-oval/ 100 laps |
Weather: | Mostly Cloudy, 73 degrees |
Race Winner: | Kyle Larson |
Allgaier's Finish: | 9th |
Justin Allgaier and the Breyers 2in1 team earned their 11th top-10 finish of the season on Friday night, placing ninth in the Firecracker 250 at Daytona International Speedway. Earning valuable stage points throughout the 100-lap race, Allgaier was able to advance one spot to fifth in the NASCAR Xfinity Series point standings.
With rain washing out qualifying, the field was set by owner points. Allgaier rolled off the grid in the ninth position and had a strong Chevrolet from the start. He remained in the bottom line for the first part of Stage One and was part of the first six cars that were able to break away from the rest of the pack. Running in fourth, he was able to remain there until the green-and-white checkered flag waved at the conclusion of lap 30. Late in the run, Allgaier had relayed that he was loose, but was tight off of Turn 4. When pit road opened, crew chief Jason Burdett called Allgaier in for four tires, fuel and multiple adjustments.
Taking the green for Stage Two in 11th on lap 36, the 32-year-old driver used the bottom line once again to advance up inside the top 10 in the lead pack. By lap 41, he was running in fifth and was part of a single-file line of cars that started to break away. Eventually another line of cars started to gain on the pack on the outside, but Allgaier was able to remain near the front to end Stage Two in the sixth position. Under the yellow, the Illinois native reported that the No. 7 Breyers 2in1 Chevy was not as loose that run. The team made a stop for four tires and fuel.
Allgaier was in 15th for the start of the final stage on lap 67, but wasted no time maneuvering his way back inside the top 10. He remained inside the main pack and avoided trouble as multiple cautions ensued. Allgaier was running in second when yet another wreck brought out the yellow flag, sending the race into overtime. Allgaier restarted in second for the two-lap shootout and was battling at the front, but got shuffled back amid the chaotic finish and ultimately took the checkered flag in ninth.
Kyle Larson claimed the victory, with JR Motorsports driver Elliott Sadler taking second. Christopher Bell, Ryan Blaney and Kaz Grala rounded out the top five.
Justin Allgaier, driver No. 7 Breyers 2in1 team
“Man, we had a strong Breyers 2in1 Chevy and we had a good run going, but it just didn’t work out there for us at the end. We’ve had a rough few races here at Daytona, so it’s great to actually end the night here with a solid top-10 finish. We’ll take it.”
No. 7 Breyers 2in1 Camaro |
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Finish | 9th |
Laps Completed | 105 of 105 |
Points | 40 |
Point Standings | 5th (-54) |
Status | Running |