LEBANON, Tenn. – Justin Allgaier prevailed in an intense duel with Brent Crews to win Saturday night’s Sports Illustrated Resorts 250 at Nashville Superspeedway.
Allgaier, driver of the JR Motorsports No. 7 BRANDT/Precision Build/Trademark Chevrolet entered the night as the defending winner. He started the race in 17th, and by Stage 2, he was leading the field. In the closing laps, Crews had a fairly large lead as he was working towards his first series victory; however, Allgaier chased him down, battled door-to-door and set sail for his 32nd NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series victory and his third at Nashville.
“First of all, it has been a rough couple of weeks,” Allgaier said after honoring Kyle Busch with a post-race bow. “Thoughts and prayers to Samantha, Kyle and Brexton and Lennix. It has been an emotional couple of weeks, and I wish my wife and kids and mom and dad were here to celebrate, but this team right here, they’re incredible.”
Allgaier continued and said, “This place is electric. I love coming to Nashville. I saw Brent struggle after that green flag pit stop, and I knew we had a car capable of getting in there. We struggled on that one run. Andrew (Overstreet, crew chief) made some great calls, and we got ourselves back in the game, and I was able to track him down and get the win
Crews held on to finish runner-up in his 12th-career series start. The driver of the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 19 YoungLife Toyota started the race way back in 33rd, but he made his way to the front of the pack and finished fifth in Stage 2 and was in the lead by Lap 119. Crews ended the night with 45 laps led.
“Justin there at the end, I knew he was going to put it on my door and I could drive it in there deep and if I got a little free and wash up there with him we would be ok,” Crews said. “Just gives me a lot more confidence being able to drive it in there really hard and race him hard and I could give him the bumper on entry and not worry about him spinning out and could race him really hard and I know he had fun, I know I did.”
Crews’ teammate, William Sawalich finished third, followed by Sam Mayer and Brandon Jones. Rounding out the top-10 was Corey Day, Carson Kvapil, NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Larson, Taylor Gray and Sammy Smith.
Jesse Love won Stage 1, and Allgaier won Stage 2.
There were 12 lead changes among seven drivers. Love led a race high of 87 laps.
The only caution for an accident came on Lap 47, when Cleetus McFarland spun in Turn 4.
Allgaier has an enormous 179-point lead over Love in the standings.
The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series will visit Pocono Raceway on Saturday, June 13 for the MillerTech Battery 250 Presented by KOA. Live coverage will broadcast on the CW Network at 4 p.m. ET.
Photo Credit: Mitchell White/TheFourthTurn.com
No Comments so far
Jump into a conversationNo Comments Yet!
You can be the one to start a conversation.