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Justin Allgaier Shines Brightest in Xfinity Series at Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 15: Justin Allgaier, driver of the #7 Jarrett Logistics Chevrolet, takes the checkered flag to win the NASCAR Xfinity Series The LiUNA! at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 15, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

Everyone was still shocked by the finish of last week’s Xfinity Series race at Phoenix Raceway. Not only with the side-by-side finish for the win but the utter shock and disappointment felt by Justin Allgaier. Justin was once again on the bad end of the stick at Phoenix, with less than five laps to go. Fast forward to Las Vegas, and the jackpot hit big time for the defending series champion.

You just knew it was going to be a good weekend as JR Motorsports once again put all of their cars right at or near the front of the field. They did deliver as Justin Allgaier, Connor Zilisch, and pole-sitter Sammy Smith combined to lead 143 of the race’s 200 laps. The Chevrolets came to play in Sin City.

Justin Allgaier Shines Brightest in Xfinity Series at Las Vegas

Unlike the Truck race, the Xfinity Series didn’t have to deal with rain. Which made this race go off pretty well. Except for a big incident for rookie William Swaliach on the opening start of the race. His No. 18 Toyota got out of shape and slammed the outside wall, knocking him out of the race on the opening lap.

It wasn’t a good weekend at all for the teenager from Joe Gibbs Racing.

Stage one stayed green after the early caution, and despite some fun battles between the likes of Sammy Smith, Connor Zilisch, and Aric Almirola, Justin Allgaier came flying through the field from his sixth-place starting spot to take the lead on lap 14. He led until the end of the opening stage.

Josh Williams Forced From Car Due to Illness

While the race for the lead was intriguing, Kaulig Racing’s Josh Williams has been dealing with a health issue for several weeks now. It came to a big head during this race, as he was struggling during the opening stage. Williams has proven to be a tough competitor, so he managed to tough it out through the end of the first stage.

Once the caution flew for the end of the stage, Williams gave way to Cup teammate Ty Dillon, who fortunately was right near the pits and ready to go quickly. It’s never fun to have to get out of your race car, but Josh’s health and wellbeing were a priority. Hope you get what is going on figured out Josh.

Allgaier and Almirola Put On a Show

Allgaier and Almirola carried on a battle that started last week at Phoenix, as Almirola put his No. 19 Toyota ahead of Allgaier’s No. 7 during the run in stage two. Almirola held off a hard charge for Justin for 51 laps, as the stage two run went green for the whole 51-lap run. Allgaier tried his hardest to make it interesting, even getting side by side in lap traffic, before Aric held him off back to the line for the stage two win.

It was some good, hard and exciting racing by both drivers.

Rookie Mistakes Give Way to the No. 7 Car

JRM’s rookies looked like they were going to steal the show in the final 100 laps, as Zilisch pulled off one of the best passes of the race, as Allgaier and Almirola battled at the front. Zilisch made a power move to take the lead and posted the fastest lap of the race.

Too bad the rookie sensation got busted for speeding on the final green flag pitstop. It derailed what could have easily been his first oval win in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. He wasn’t the only JRM rookie to make a late mistake, as teammate Carson Kvapil didn’t get enough fuel on his final stop, so he lost another good finish because of a late pit stop for fuel.

Those mistakes gave Justin Allgaier all he needed to lead the race’s final 49 laps to capture the 90th Xfinity Series win for JRM and the 26th of his career. He also led 102 laps, proving he had the dominant car in Las Vegas.

As for what it meant to Justin to get JRM their 90th win in the series, he spoke with the CW’s Dillon Welch about the win.

” It feels amazing, this whole team. I just cannot say enough…” Allgaier said. “I’ve been lucky enough to win a lot of races in my career. This one means a lot because I feel like we have been so close, and last week was right there.”

It was a big response to the disappointment from Phoenix. Justin Allgaier certainly hit it big in Sin City.

READ NEXT: Corey Heim Highlights Rain-Filled NASCAR Truck Series Ecosave 200 at Las Vegas

Featured Image Credit: Jonathan Bachman, Getty Images. 3/15/2025

 

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