The Focused Health 250 at Phoenix Raceway delivered another thrilling chapter in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, with the competition pushing the limits across 208 laps on the 1-mile oval. Aric Almirola emerged as the race winner, but the spotlight shone brightly on Justin Allgaier, who dominated for most of the event.

The race featured intense battles, last-minute strategy calls, and unexpected setbacks that shuffled the order as the checkered flag waved. The JR Motorsports team had a mix of highs and lows, with Allgaier securing a top-five finish, while his teammates Sammy Smith, Connor Zilisch, and Carson Kvapil experienced a rollercoaster of challenges.

Justin Allgaier: A Strong Performance Cut Short

Justin Allgaier looked destined for victory on Saturday, leading an impressive 130 laps—the most of any driver. Piloting the BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet, he displayed dominant speed throughout the race, winning Stage Two and positioning himself at the front as the race headed into NASCAR overtime.

As the final restart unfolded, Allgaier fought fiercely, defending his lead through turn two. However, the chaotic shuffle saw him lose momentum, and he was forced into a three-wide battle for position. Despite the setback, Allgaier kept his composure, bringing his Chevrolet home in fifth place.

The top-five finish was crucial in the championship race, as Allgaier now sits second in the standings, just two points behind the leader.

“Our BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet was phenomenal today. Jim Pohlman and the entire No. 7 team gave me an amazing car. It is frustrating that we did not get the win, but I am proud of our effort. We will bounce back and be ready for Las Vegas.”

Sammy Smith: A Hard-Fought Battle to 14th Place

Sammy Smith had a strong start, qualifying third for the GOVX 200 and showing early pace with his No. 8 Pilot Chevrolet. He remained a top-five contender through the first two stages, securing 11 valuable stage points.

With 50 laps to go, Smith faced adversity after sustaining damage to the right rear following contact with another car. His crew chief, Philip Bell, called him to pit road for repairs under caution. Restarting from 21st, Smith had to fight his way back through the field.

With 32 laps left, his spotter, Frankie Kimmel, urged him to take it one lap at a time. The strategy worked, as Smith methodically climbed up the order, reaching 12th before a late caution sent the race into overtime. In the final sprint to the finish, he battled for position and ultimately crossed the line in 14th place.

“Our No. 8 Pilot Chevrolet was really strong, and we were running well before the damage set us back. The guys did a great job on pit road, and we fought hard until the end. We will take what we learned here and bring it to Las Vegas.”

Connor Zilisch: A Learning Experience in 16th Place

Connor Zilisch had an eventful afternoon at Phoenix Raceway, finishing in 16th place after overcoming multiple challenges. He showed early speed in his Roto-Rooter Chevrolet, qualifying fourth and securing a fourth-place finish in Stage One.

However, a pit stop mistake at the end of Stage One shuffled Zilisch outside the top 20 when the race resumed on lap 54. Despite struggling with a tight-handling Chevrolet, he worked his way back up, finishing 12th in Stage Two.

The Roto-Rooter pit crew executed a quick stop, moving Zilisch up to seventh for the restart on lap 99. He remained competitive throughout the race, but a scheduled pit stop on lap 149 for adjustments prevented him from closing in on the leaders.

As the race entered overtime, Zilisch lined up in 11th place but was caught in the late-race chaos, ultimately crossing the finish line in 16th.

“We started off strong with our Roto-Rooter Chevrolet, but a couple of mistakes cost us. The pit crew worked hard, and I learned a lot today. We will be better when we return to Phoenix in November.”

Carson Kvapil: A Tough Break in 26th Place

Making his first start at Phoenix Raceway, Carson Kvapil showed promise early in his No. 1 Bass Pro Shops/Clarience Technologies Chevrolet. Starting 24th, he steadily moved forward, breaking into the top 15 by the end of Stage One.

Through the next 45 laps, Kvapil battled traffic and managed to break into the top 10 by the end of Stage Two, earning crucial stage points.

Unfortunately, with less than 10 laps to go, a mechanical issue struck his Chevrolet, forcing an unscheduled pit stop. The problem dropped Kvapil to the back of the field, and despite his best efforts, he finished in 26th place.

“We felt good after practice, and our Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet had solid speed. Unfortunately, things did not go our way today. We will take this experience and use it to improve at Las Vegas. I appreciate the support from Johnny Morris, Bass Pro Shops, and Clarience Technologies, and I hope to get them the finish they deserve soon.”

Looking Ahead: Next Stop, Las Vegas

With Phoenix in the books, the JR Motorsports team now shifts its focus to Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Allgaier’s strong performance puts him in a great position to challenge for the points lead, while Smith, Zilisch, and Kvapil will aim to bounce back from their challenging finishes.

The Las Vegas race presents a different test, with its high-speed, 1.5-mile layout offering plenty of opportunities for drafting and side-by-side battles. The team will analyze data, refine strategies, and look for ways to maximize performance heading into the weekend.

As the NASCAR Xfinity Series continues, JR Motorsports remains a top contender, and the upcoming race promises another thrilling showdown. Fans can expect intense battles, last-lap drama, and plenty of surprises as the season unfolds.

Stay Tuned for More Action

With each race, the championship battle tightens, and every point matters. Can Allgaier take over the points lead in Las Vegas? Will Smith, Zilisch, and Kvapil make a strong comeback? The answers will unfold when the green flag drops at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.