The Round of 12 NASCAR Xfinity Series playoffs final race concluded Saturday afternoon at Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval in the Drive for the Cure 250 presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. The remnants of Hurricane Delta was approaching the track, and NASCAR allowed teams to have two sets of rain tires. Two Chevrolet’s were on the front row with Noah Gragson winning the pole by a metric qualifying system and Justin Haley qualified second.
Let's get ready to Roval. 🔥 The #DriveForTheCure250 from @CLTMotorSpdwy is underway on NBC and https://t.co/593lUV9Jw2. pic.twitter.com/SNkhuOSwXK — NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) October 10, 2020
As the race began, so did the rain, and soon after that, the first caution would come out three laps in for Brett Moffitt. On turn 14, he reported that something broke; a tire had come apart on the rear. During the caution, NASCAR officials allowed teams to put on rain tires. The race resumed on the seventh lap with Gragson still in the lead. The rain began to come down harder, and the drivers were having a hard time seeing the track. Several drivers spun at different places on the track, including Chase Briscoe, Kyle Weatherman, Ross Chastain, Noah Gragson, Ryan Vargas, and Brandon Jones. The only windshield wiper they had did little for the monsoon rains that began falling. Another wreck involving Austin Hill, Matt Mills, and Tommy Joe Martins would bring out the second caution.
This turn did not pass the vibe check. #TikT6k@RyanVargas_23 | @tiktok_us pic.twitter.com/NnKbEfzwO5 — NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) October 10, 2020
During the caution, some leaders came to pit road, including AJ Allmendinger, Michael Annett, and six others, while everyone else stayed out. Many teams had trouble with their radios, so communication with crew chiefs had to be worked through spotters.
Justin Haley was now the leader as the race got back underway with two to go in stage one. Gragson regained the lead after nearly spinning. Then a lap later, he would get sideways, allowing Kaz Grala to take the lead and win stage one. At this point, a boat and paddles would have been a better way to get around the track.
Things are happening, namely @KazGrala earning his first #XfinitySeries Stage win! 😱 Tune into this wet and wild Roval action on NBC and https://t.co/593lUV9Jw2! pic.twitter.com/9j4t45Kb6d — NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) October 10, 2020
During the caution, Haley, Allgaier, Chastain, Briscoe, and fourteen others went to pit road while everyone else stayed out. Kaz Grala chose the inside lane, and Gragson was outside to start stage two on lap 24. Grala missed the front chicane allowing Gragson to take the lead. Three laps later, Riley Herbst challenged Gragson for the lead and spun him out at turn three to bring out the fourth caution.
Contact between the Las Vegas contingent of @rileyherbst and @NoahGragson!! 💥 The rainy #XfintySeries Roval continues on NBC and https://t.co/BHXvTwrLoC pic.twitter.com/KCqNqTdxBU — NASCAR (@NASCAR) October 10, 2020
During the caution, Grala, Gragson, and eight others went to pit road while everyone else stayed out. The rain continued to pound the track creating lakes at certain parts of the track, forcing NASCAR to red-flag the race. The red-flag lasted over thirty-eight minutes before the race could resume. Riley Herbst was the leader as the race resumed on lap 34. Justin Allgaier challenged Herbst for the lead, but both drivers spun at turn four. Justin Haley and Preston Pardus would bring out the sixth caution with AJ Allmendinger in the lead.
AND WE'RE BACK UNDER GR— Caution. pic.twitter.com/AnNfCPi2cJ — NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) October 10, 2020
During the caution, Herbst, Haley, and two others went to pit road. The race got back underway on lap 37. Chase Briscoe would take the lead from Allmendinger on the same lap. Harrison Burton’s car stalled at turn four to bring out the seventh caution. During the caution, Allmendinger, Myatt Snider, and three others went to pit road. The race resumed with two laps to go in stage two. Briscoe would win stage two, and Austin Cindric finished fourth to clinch a spot in the Round of 8 playoffs.
How it's going:@ChaseBriscoe5 | @StewartHaasRcng pic.twitter.com/JceKW9b20K — NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) October 10, 2020
During the caution, most cars went to pit road, including Cindric and Hemric. The final stage got underway on lap 43. Riley Herbst went airborne, hitting the chicane on the backstretch. The restart lasted six laps before Jesse Little’s car stalled to bring out the eighth caution.
Air Herbst.#NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/rQqeHzNO3W — #NASCARPlayoffs on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 10, 2020
During the caution, Ross Chastain pitted from the second position. Briscoe led the field back to green on lap 51. Briscoe, Allmendinger, and Myatt Snider were battling for the lead that went to Allmendinger. Snider hit the chicane hard and lost the second spot to Briscoe. His day got worse when he spun at turn one. On lap 56, Briscoe would get the lead back from Allmendinger. CJ McLaughlin’s car spun at turn one and stalled to bring out the ninth caution.
WHOA! Right in front of the leaders! A late-race restart is coming up on CNBC! #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/QixBoSqomm — #NASCARPlayoffs on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 10, 2020
No one went to pit road during the caution, and the race resumed on lap 62. Allmendinger took the lead away from Briscoe at turn four. Two laps later, Briscoe would get the lead back. Brandon Brown’s car stalled at turn four to bring out the tenth caution sending the race to overtime.
Oh my GOODNESS. #NASCARPlayoffs // @BrandonBrown_68 pic.twitter.com/DiEWDd45Ea — #NASCARPlayoffs on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 10, 2020
In overtime, Briscoe spun at turn one, handing the lead to Allmendinger with Hemric in second. Hemric would lose the second spot to Gragson. Allmendinger led the last two laps to win the race by .446 seconds over Noah Gragson. Harrison Burton, Brandon Brown, Riley Herbst, and Michael Annett are eliminated from the playoffs.
WHAT A RACE.@AJDinger took home the checkered in overtime as Chase Briscoe spun at @CLTMotorSpdwy's ROVAL. #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/BHhUTSYIYV — #NASCARPlayoffs on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 10, 2020
The rest of the top ten finishers were Daniel Hemric third, Alex Labbe fourth, Ross Chastain fifth, Austin Cindric sixth, Cody Ware seventh, Jade Buford eighth, Michael Annett ninth, and Brandon Jones tenth. There were ten cautions for 24 laps and fourteen lead changes.
Moving on to the Round of 8 playoffs are Chase Briscoe, Austin Cindric, Justin Allgaier, Noah Gragson, Justin Haley, Brandon Jones, Ross Chastain, and Ryan Sieg. The Round of 8 playoffs begins next Saturday from Kansas Speedway for the Kansas Lottery 300 at 7 pm on NBCSN.
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