Multiple Xfinity drivers wreck late to set up OT

Fri Aug 23 2024 645 PM PDT

In the late stages of any superspeedway race in NASCAR there typically is a big wreck. That was the case again on Friday night at Daytona International Speedway during the NASCAR Xfinity Series Coke Zero Sugar 400.

A large crash with 14 laps remaining collected multiple drivers, including several who were running inside the top 10. The accident set up an overtime finish, which Justin Allgaier ultimately won.

Drivers involved in the crash included:

• AJ Allmendinger
• Josh Berry
• Justin Haley
• Noah Gragson
• Ryan Sieg

The crash started when Allmendinger got loose in front of the field. Berry then made contact with Allmendinger, triggering a chain reaction that collected several other cars.

Gragson was running second at the time of the crash and was one of the drivers who was collected. He was visibly disappointed after the race, but he said he understood that these things happen in superspeedway races.

"It's just part of racing at these tracks," Gragson said. "You've got to be aggressive, but you also have to be smart. I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time."

The crash set up an overtime finish, which Allgaier ultimately won. Allgaier had been running in the top five all night and was able to take advantage of the late-race crash to secure the victory.

The win was Allgaier's second of the season and moved him into the lead of the NASCAR Xfinity Series standings.