Big Week Continues for Noah Gragson, Snaps 49-Race Winless Streak by Winning at Darlington: Fresh from the announcement of his return to JR Motorsports next year, Noah Gragson sped to victory at Darlington Raceway on Saturday, clinching a spot in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs. (Read more)(9-4-2021)
With #54-Denny Hamlin getting a pit road penalty in the waning laps of Saturday’s Xfinity Series race at Darlington, #9-Noah Gragson capitalized to score his first victory of the 2021 season. Gragson has to hold off the field on a pair of restarts, snapping a 49-race winless streak.
#20-Harrison Burton earned his best finish of the season in second, with #22-Austin Cindric, #11-Justin Haley and #10-Jeb Burton rounding out the top five.
#7-Justin Allgaier crossed the finish line in sixth position, with #23-Tyler Reddick, #51-Jeremy Clements, #2-Myatt Snider and #36-Alex Labbe making up the rest of the top 10. Hamlin rebounded to 12th at the checkered flag, despite leading a race-high 43 laps.
There were 19 lead changes among eight drivers and eight cautions for 41 yellow flag laps.
The average speed of the race was: 102.422 mph.
See race details at: Race Results, Drivers Points Standings, Owners Points Standings, Cumulative Report, Penalty Report.
Darlington Paint Schemes
Race Fast Facts – Darlington:
Noah Gragson won the 39th Annual Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help a Hero 200, his third victory in 93 Xfinity Series races.
This is his first victory and 15th top-10 finish in 2021.
This is his first victory and fifth top-10 finish in five races at Darlington Raceway.
Harrison Burton (second) posted his third top-10 finish in four races at Darlington Raceway. It is his
17th top-10 finish in 2021.
Austin Cindric (third) posted his third top-10 finish in six races at Darlington Raceway.
Jade Buford (21st) was the highest finishing rookie.
Xfinity Series Standings after Darlington (Race 24 of 33):
1)AJ Allmendinger (3 wins) 955 points
2)Austin Cindric (5 wins) 954, -1
3)Justin Allgaier (2 wins) 839, -116
4)Justin Haley (1 win) 784, -171
5)Noah Gragson (1 win) 772, -183
6)Jeb Burton (1 win) 748, -207
7)Myatt Snider (1 win) 546, -409
8)Daniel Hemric 808, -147
9)Harrison Burton 799, -156
10)Jeremy Clements 587, -368
11)Brandon Jones 574, -381
12)Riley Herbst 555, -400
Currently Outside Playoffs
Michael Annett 509, -46 points below the cutline
See the Drivers Points Standings and Owners Points Standings.
Cars to the rear: #02-Ty Dillon (driver change; replacing Brett Moffitt) and #52-Gray Gaulding (missed driver introductions).
Pit Stall Selections
For the third time this season, #18-Daniel Hemric will start from the pole, this time at Darlington Raceway in the Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help a Hero 200. Three-time winner in 2021, #16-AJ Allmendinger, will start second.
Daytona winner #11-Justin Haley will start from third position, with #7-Justin Allgaier and #10-Jeb Burton rounding out the top five.
#20-Harrison Burton, #98-Riley Herbst, #9-Noah Gragson, #2-Myatt Snider and #02-Brett Moffitt complete the top 10.
Based on points, #13-Chad Finchum won’t compete in the race.
The lineup was set by the qualifying metrics, based on race finish, points position, and fastest race lap.
See the complete Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help a Hero 200 Starting Lineup.
Crew Rosters
Goodyear Tire Notes
The Entry List for the Sport Clips VFW Help a Hero 200 at Darlington Raceway is posted, with 41 teams/drivers [for 40 spots] listed.
Based on points, #13-Chad Finchum will miss the race.
Notables include: #17-Mason Massey, #23-Tyler Reddick, #31-Austin Dillon, #54-Denny Hamlin, #74-Carson Ware, #90-BJ McLeod.
See the full entry list on the Darlington Entry List page.
