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AJ Allmendinger Prevails in Double Overtime At Nashville Superspeedway

by racerx55 June 26, 2023 1 comment

By: Trish McCormack

LEBANON, Tenn. – AJ Allmendinger won the Tennessee Lottery 250 at Nashville Superspeedway after leading the final 20 laps in a caution-filled race that ended in double overtime.

Allmendinger, who has been driving a limited schedule in the Xfinity Series after moving back up into the NASCAR Cup Series with Kaulig Racing, scored his second NASCAR Xfinity Series win of the 2023 season on Saturday in Tennessee. Allendinger, who is better known for his success on road courses, won his 17th race in his 96th Xfinity Series start. Allmandinger’s night was hard fought after being involved in a Turn 2 incident on lap 53 with Carson Hocevar, Austin Hill, and Ty Gibbs.

“The car was really good,” Allmendinger said. “I got caught up in the wreck on that one restart. I thought our chance to win was over, but the guys did such a great job fixing it.”

Allmendinger took the lead with 11 laps to go after Parker Kligerman was forced to make his final pit stop. Allmendinger fended off Riley Herbst, who finished second, in double overtime, followed by Sam Mayer, Austin Hill, and Josh Berry rounding out the top-five.

“I spent a lot of years not winning anything,” Allmendinger said. “I need wins just to make me mentally okay every week, whether it’s Cup or Xfinity. This is why you go out here and do this, is to try and win races. I don’t take anything for granted, and whether it’s an Xfinity or Cup win, it means a lot to me because you never know when the last one is going to be.” 

Ty Gibbs won Stage 1, and Chandler Smith won Stage 2.

There were 11 cautions for a total of 58 laps, many of which occurred on restarts.

Chandler Smith led twice for a total of 74 laps, the most laps led during the race and Sam Mayer, who qualified 34th to start the race, led for a total of six laps finishing third, making him the biggest mover. 

John Hunter Nemechek continues to lead the series point standings with Joe Gibbs Racing retaining the owners points lead. 

The NASCAR Xfinity Series will race at the inaugural Chicago Street course for The Loop 121 on Saturday, July 1. Live coverage will air on USA Network at 5 p.m. ET

Photo Credit: Mitchell White Photography/TheFourthTurn.com