Austin Cindric Outduels AJ Allmendinger For First-Career Xfinity Series Win
If you told me heading into the day that AJ Allmendinger would have the lead at Watkins Glen with three laps to go, I would fully expect the driver of the No. 10 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet come back with the win.
However, Allmendinger had an extremely hungry Austin Cindric hounding him over the closing laps on fresher tires. Cindric and Allmendinger used the chrome horn a couple of times in an incredible duel for the win.
In the end, Cindric was the one left standing as he took his first-career NASCAR Xfinity Series win in his 54th start.
Allmendinger held on to finish second, Christopher Bell rebounded from an incredible save with seven to go to finish third. Justin Allgaier came back from a crash into the tire barrier to finish fourth and Ryan Blaney was fifth.
Tyler Reddick overcame a slew of problems on the day to finish sixth, Chase Briscoe was seventh, Cole Custer came home eighth in his backup car, while Michael Annett and Noah Gragson rounded out the top-10 finishers.
Kyle Busch won Stage 1 and looked to be heading to a Stage 2 win, when he had a suspension component break while passing Ryan Blaney for the lead.
AJ Allmendinger won Stage 2.
However, Allmendinger has failed post-race inspection and has been disqualified. Ryan Blaney is now the official winner of Stage 2, and Christopher Bell moves up to the runner-up spot.
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Toby Christie View All
Toby is the Founder, Editor and go-to man for TobyChristie.com. He is also the co-host of The Final Lap Weekly Podcast. Additionally, Toby is a NMPA (National Motorsports Press Association) award winning writer, and has followed NASCAR as a fan since 1993.