DARLANDON, S.C. In a close finish, Noah Gragson edged out Kyle Larson and Sheldon Creed to win the Xfinity Series race at Darlington Raceway on Saturday night.
Sheldon Creed seized the lead during a series of pit stops late in the race, and he maintained it until Gragson and Larson made a move for the lead and turned the race into a three-way contest. Larson and Creed engaged in a furious struggle in the final two kilometers, running side by side and slamming fenders. Creed spent most of the final lap running up against the outer wall to cross the finish line.
Gragson, driving a JR Motorsports Chevrolet, sneaked around on the inside to win the race, earning him his fourth victory of the year, while Larson and Creed fought for the lead and slowed after impact. Following AJ Allmendinger, Justin Allgaier, and Larson in order of finishing position were Creed.
Creed and Larson shook hands on pit road before discussing the outcome. Gragson remarked, "They made it one heck of a race." They returned to the line. In conclusion, it was magnificent.
After several burnouts, Gragson climbed out of his car, briefly confused. Later, he said that the car's smoke had made him queasy. He claimed, "I was breathing that in and got queasy and tunnel vision." "I thought I was going to faint,"
With 20 laps remaining, pole-sitter Brandon Jones crashed into the wall between Turns 3 and 4, bringing out the caution and clogging the field. Creed's team was the first to get him back on track, and he held the lead to the finish. Creed led forty-seven laps.
The winner of the race was 24-year-old Gragson. He led 79 of the opening 90 laps and took the first stage victory. He totaled 82 laps led for the race.
Dale Earnhardt Jr., a team co-owner, declared, "I was happy for him (Gragson). "From how the car now appears, you wouldn't know it. He didn't get into the fence. The car was undamaged by him. On the final lap, he was still seated when he was given a chance. He was able to do it because he was patient and understanding. When he wasn't in a position to win the race, he made wise decisions to keep himself out of trouble.
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On lap 88, flames appeared underneath JJ Yeley's vehicle, bringing out the yellow.
On lap 68, there was a caution due to rain, and three circuits later, with Gragson leading, the race was stopped due to heavy rain. Two hours and 37 minutes were spent under the red flag.
A four-car incident that occurred shortly after the start of the second stage brought out the caution flag. Kris Wright, Riley Herbst, Joe Graf Jr., and Myatt Snider were all involved in the collision.
Two cars were damaged in a strange incident before Stage 2 began. Anthony Alfredo's vehicle struck John Hunter Nemechek at the rear as the field circled cautiously, seriously damaging Alfredo's vehicle. Alfredo reportedly lost control after experiencing a momentary vehicle sickness.
Before the playoffs begin on September 24 at Texas Motor Speedway, two races are left: September 10 at Kansas and September 16 at Bristol.
Who had a strong race? Noah Gragson stormed back to the front on the final lap to win for the fourth time this season after losing the lead late in the race. Kyle Larson, the reigning Cup Series champion and Sheldon Creed engaged in a highly entertaining duel to finish the race.
Who had a horrible race: Anthony Alfredo collided with John Hunter Nemechek's vehicle during a caution period. Alfredo was sick inside the car and lost control. He came in close to last place.
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