The NASCAR Xfinity Series continued their season in Atlanta. The Bennett Transportation & Logistics 250 saw last week’s winner, Jesse Love start on the front row. His teammate in Austin Hill joined him on the front row. Josh Williams, Justin Allgaier, and Sam Mayer rounded out the top five.
Climbing the Hill
Love got a great start with Williams pushing him to the lead. He jumped to the outside line in front of Hill. Williams immediately fell out of the top 10. Dean Thompson brought out the first caution with a flat tire while Jeb Burton and Ryan Seig both had saves after being sideways. Thompson was held in his pit stall for a lap due to intentionally bringing out a caution.
Love and Hill brought the field back to green. Christian Eckes was able to push Hill out in front of Love. Most of the field settled in the top lane. Some tried to make a run on the bottom to no avail. That bottom line was short-lived as they fell back to the outside line. Three of the JR Motorsports cars sat in the top seven and looked to link up to make a run.
Sam Mayer began peaking to the inside to make a late-stage run. He tried to make it work on the inside but no one followed him. He did pass Love for second place but only for a second. The RCR cars finished the stage 1-2 with Hill getting the win. Everyone pitted under the caution. Hill and Love got out of the pits first as they both only took two tires and fuel.
The Hill is Getting Steeper
Hill and Mayer restarted the race on the front row and Love pushed Hill at the restart. The inside line quickly dissipated. Hill maintained his lead as the train began to tick laps off. The sun began to set and became a problem for drivers as they were unable to see for a brief second every lap. Also as the sun set, the track temperature began to fall.
Love used a run on the front stretch to get beside and make the pass on Hill for the lead. Hill used the same move to overtake his teammate back. Justin Allgaier tried to make a run but fell back a bit. His teammate, Sammy Smith rode in third but did not join Allgaier on the inside.
Hill was able to keep those behind him at bay. He took the green white checkered flag for his second stage win of the day. Hill is four for four this season, winning every stage so far. Most of the cars pitted under the yellow flag, and Hill and Mayer won the race off of pit road.
Late Race Cautions
Hill and Allgaier restarted on the front row. Both lines stayed together behind Hill who reclaimed his lead. Jeb Burton passed several rows in the middle lane. CJ McLaughlin brought out the fourth caution after blowing a tire going into turn one.
Nick Sanchez and Hill brought the green flag back out. Nick Sanchez was then shuffled outside the top ten but Hill stayed out in front. Jeremy Clements brought out the fifth caution of the day. He lost control of his car driving out of turn two. Taylor Gray, Connor Zilisch, and Blaine Perkins also got damaged in the accident.
Ryan Sieg and Hill restarted the race. Hill used some great pushes to retake the lead. Brandon Jones had a tire rub that began at the restart. Ultimately, that tire went flat and brought out the sixth caution. Meanwhile, Mason Maggio got sideways trying to avoid the spinning JGR car.
Looking up at the Hill
Hill and Sieg brought the field back to green. Hill got a great push from Allgaier, a fellow Chevy. Allgaier was also able to clear himself into second place behind Hill. The inside line tried to make a run to the front. As that was happening, Sanchez clipped the apron of the track, forcing him loose and into Sam Mayer who slid across the track. Zilisch got more damage. Brennan Poole and Nick Leitz were also involved.
Aric Almirola and Hill restarted the race on the front row. Allgaier pushed Hill very far out ahead of the field. The pack caught up and Hill began his blocking of both the inside and outside lines. Sammy Smith and Allgaier led the field behind Hill. Smith caught some foam on his front bumper. That led to the eighth caution being thrown for debris on the track. The debris came from Zilisch.
The final restart came with three laps to go. Allgaier and Hill were on the front row. Allgaier was able to get out front but not for long. Almirola pushed Hill to the front. Hill took the lead with two laps to go. Almirola moved to the inside line and beside Hill. Hill retook the lead.
There was a big crash on the back stretch but no caution was thrown. Parker Retzlaff got into the wall and sideways across the track. Sieg and Josh Williams were sent nose-first into the outside wall.
All of that took place behind Hill who was able to take the checkered flag! Hill won the race with Allgaier in second and Almirola in third.
Marvin’s Moment:
Austin Hill has planted himself as one of the best drafting track specialists in NASCAR Xfinity Series history. He is always at the front of the field. Hill has won all stages this season (Daytona and Atlanta) and could have won last week’s race had it not been for a mechanical issue under the hood. He drives like a bulldog – stubborn to a fault but he makes the room he needs when he needs it. He drives with his head down. RCR needs to give him a car at every drafting track in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Tune in next week as the NASCAR Xfinity Series takes to the twists and turns of Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.
