AJ Allmendinger is preparing to make the jump back into the NASCAR Cup Series on a full-time basis in 2025, but first, he has a NASCAR Xfinity Series title to chase down at Phoenix Raceway.
The Los Gatos, California native captured the victory in Saturday’s Ambetter Health 302 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, holding off a hard-charging Ryan Sieg to collect his 18th win in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
In doing so, Allmendinger not only collected his first victory of the 2024 Xfinity Series campaign but also ensured that he would be one of the four drivers battling it out in a winner-takes-all showdown in the season-finale at Phoenix.
“I absolutely love these guys and girls at Kaulig Racing,” Allmendinger said after hopping out of his No. 16 Chevrolet Camaro on the frontstretch. “It’s been up and down but what I love about them is we stick together, we keep fighting.”
Allmendinger’s victory Saturday at Las Vegas marks the 27th in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for Kaulig Racing, 16 of which have come courtesy of the 42-year-old driver.
Forever the bridesmaid and never the bride, Ryan Sieg recorded another second-place finish, this time in the No. 28 Ford Mustang Dark Horse. It’s the fifth runner-up result of the Georgia native’s Xfinity Series career, three of which have come this season.
Sieg had gotten alongside Allmendinger for the lead moments before the final caution was displayed, but got loose underneath the No. 16 Chevrolet Camaro and faded to second before having to re-stack the field.
Justin Allgaier appeared to finally shake the bad luck of the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs and came home in third, while Chandler Smith was fourth, and Parker Kligerman rounded out the top five.
Rookie of The Year contender Jesse Love brought home a solid sixth-place finish, while Stewart-Haas Racing teammates Riley Herbst and Cole Custer finished seventh and eighth.
After his Joe Gibbs Racing team had to replace the engine on his No. 18 Toyota GR Supra, Sheldon Creed rebounded to a ninth-place finish, while Austin Hill completed the top-10, after struggling throughout much of the afternoon.
The series’ most recent winner, Sam Mayer, finished a disappointing 14th place after battling an ill-handling racecar throughout much of the afternoon.
RACE RESULTS: 2024 NXS Ambetter Health 302 at Las Vegas
Sammy Smith showed some pace in Saturday’s event, running inside the top-10, and at one point leading the event. However, a stack-up on a restart during the race’s second stage caused significant damage to the No. 8. Smith finished a disappointing 32nd.
Leaving Vegas, Justin Allgaier holds the points lead in the NASCAR Xfinity Series by 16 markers over Cole Custer. Chandler Smith is the final driver above the cutline post-Vegas.
Austin Hill (-8), Jesse Love (-13), Sam Mayer (-23), and Sammy Smith (-53) are the four drivers below the cutline heading to Homestead-Miami Speedway.
