Noah Gragson Calls His Shot at Martinsville; Locks Himself into Xfinity Series Championship 4 Battle at Phoenix: To get to the Championship 4, you have to drive like a champion. That’s what Noah Gragson did on Saturday night in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoff race Dead On Tools 250 at Martinsville Speedway.(Read more)(10-30-2021)
Prior to the Xfinity Series’ Dead On Tools 250 at Martinsville Speedway, #9-Noah Gragson called his shot, vowing to win the race. After leading 153 of 257 laps and winning the second stage, Gragson found himself in victory lane after passing #18-Daniel Hemric in the first overtime from the outside lane. In the second overtime, #22-Austin Cindric made a charge to Gragson’s bumper, but came up short of the win.
This is Gragson’s third victory of the season, and assures he will compete for the Xfinity Series championship next weekend at Phoenix. Cindric (won the opening stage) finished runner-up, while #18-Daniel Hemric, who looked to be on his way to his first NASCAR victory before a caution flew with seven laps remaining in regulation, rounded out the podium. #8-Sam Mayer and #7-Justin Allgaier completed the top five.
#19-Brandon Jones finished sixth, as #16-AJ Allmendinger, #36-Alex Labbe, #51-Jeremy Clements and #98-Riley Herbst made up the rest of the top 10.
Cindric, Allmendinger, Gragson and Hemric are the four drivers that will battle for the championship at Phoenix.
Allgaier, Jones, #11-Justin Haley and #20-Harrison Burton have been eliminated from the playoffs.
There were 13 lead changes among six drivers and 13 cautions for 75 yellow flag laps.
The average speed of the race was: 62.010 mph.
See race details at: Race Results, Drivers Points Standings, Owners Points Standings, Drivers Points Standings Before Reset, Owners Points Standings Before Reset Cumulative Report, Penalty Report.
Martinsville Paint Schemes
Race Fast Facts – Martinsville:
Noah Gragson won the 2nd Annual Dead On Tools 250, his fifth victory in 101 NASCAR Xfinity
Series races.
This is his third victory and 20th top-10 finish in 2021.
This is his first victory and third top-10 finish in three races at Martinsville Speedway.
Austin Cindric (second) posted his third top-10 finish in three races at Martinsville Speedway. It is his 25th top-10 finish in 2021.
Daniel Hemric (third) posted his second top-10 finish in two races at Martinsville Speedway. Sam Mayer (fourth) was the highest finishing rookie.
Austin Cindric, AJ Allmendinger, Daniel Hemric and Noah Gragson have advanced to the 2021
NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship 4 Round.
Where the 2021 Xfinity Series Playoff drivers finished at Martinsville:
#9-Noah Gragson, 1st
#22-Austin Cindric, 2nd
#18-Daniel Hemric, 3rd
#7-Justin Allgaier, 5th
#19-Brandon Jones, 6th
#16-AJ Allmendinger, 7th
#20-Harrison Burton, 20th
#11-Justin Haley, 33rd
Xfinity Series Standings after Martinsville (Race 32 of 33):
1)Noah Gragson 3,129 points (win in Round of 8)
2)Austin Cindric 3,190, +49 (above fifth)
3)AJ Allmendinger 3,180, +39
4)Daniel Hemric 3,147, +6
Missed the Championship 4
5)Justin Allgaier 3,141, -6
6)Justin Haley 3,096, -51
7)Brandon Jones 3,090, -57
8)Harrison Burton 3,074, -73
See the Drivers Points Standings Before Reset and Owners Points Standings.
Reset Championship 4 Points
1)Noah Gragson 4,000 points
2)-Austin Cindric 4,000
3)Daniel Hemric 4,000
4)AJ Allmendinger 4,000
See the Driver Point Standings
Cars to the rear: #07-Joe Graf Jr. and #61-Stephen Leicht (unapproved adjustments)
Pit Stall Selections
For the 10th time this season, #22-Austin Cindric will lead the Xfinity Series field to the green flag, this time at Martinsville Speedway. Last week’s winner at Kansas Speedway, #54-Ty Gibbs, will start alongside in second.
#16-AJ Allmendinger will start the 250-lap race from third position, with #11-Justin Haley and #7-Justin Allgaier rounding out the top five. #1-Michael Annett, #18-Daniel Hemric, #19-Brandon Jones, #9-Noah Gragson and #20-Harrison Burton round out the top 10. The first non-playoff driver is #8-Sam Mayer in 11th.
Did Not Qualify: #13-Timmy Hill
The lineup was set by the qualifying metrics, based on race finish, points position, and fastest race lap.
See the complete Dead On Tools 250 Starting Lineup.
Crew Rosters
Goodyear Tire Notes
The Entry List for the Dead On Tools 250 at Martinsville is posted, with 41 teams/drivers [for 40 spots] listed.
Based on points, #13-Timmy Hill will miss the show.
Notables: #23-Natalie Decker, #26-Colin Garrett, #31-Josh Berry, #78-Akinori Ogata, #90-Preston Pardus, #99-Ryan Ellis.
See the full entry list on the Dead On Tools 250 Entry List.
