Chandler Smith had a big day Saturday in the Call811.com Every Dig. Every Time. 200 at Phoenix Raceway. The driver of the No. 81 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota GR Supra led every lap of the opening Stage, and when Justin Allgaier crashed from the lead with five laps remaining in regulation, Smith was there to pick up the pieces.
The native of Talking Rock, GA scored his second-career NASCAR Xfinity Series win, as he held off Rookie of the Year contender Jesse Love for the victory.
Following the race, Smith’s race-winning No. 81 QuickTie Inc. Toyota made its trip through the post-race inspection bay. The car would pass inspection, which would allow NASCAR to declare Smith, and his No. 81 JGR team as the official winners of the race.
The No. 2 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet and the No. 48 Big Machine Racing Chevrolet had one unsecured lug nut in post-race inspection, which will result in monetary fines for their crew chiefs.
No other issues were detected in post-race inspection, and as a result, all finishing results and standings following Saturday’s race are now considered official.
Sheldon Creed, Smith’s Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, came home in third behind Smith and Love. Creed lost out in a very close race to the finish line with Love for the runner-up spot on the final lap of the race.
Austin Hill finished in fourth, and polesitter Cole Custer finished in fifth after winning Stage 2.
Shane van Gisbergen, Brandon Jones, Parker Kligerman, Sammy Smith, and Anthony Alfredo rounded out the top-10 finishers in Saturday’s race.
Official Race Results
Race Recap
Chandler Smith Inherits First Xfinity Victory of 2024 at Phoenix Raceway
Updated Driver Standings
Updated Owner Standings
Updated Rookie Standings
Updated Manufacturer Standings
Video Highlights / Other Race Stories
Video: Josh Williams Involved in Multi-Car Crash on Lap 5 at Phoenix
Video: Three-Wide Battle for Second Triggers 12-Car Wreck in Final Stage at Phoenix
Video: Justin Allgaier Cuts Tire, Crashes From Lead with Five Laps Left at Phoenix