AJ Allmendinger Makes Last Lap Pass to Win Xfinity Race at Talladega: Three times A.J. Allmendinger has led the white flag lap on a superspeedway track and not been able to lead that next lap to earn the big trophy.On Saturday, the veteran waited and pulled ahead of the field in the final feet coming to the Sparks 300 checkered flag at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway and edged 19-year old Sam Mayer by .015-second – about three feet – in a photo finish to earn his first NASCAR Xfinity Series win at NASCAR’s biggest track.(Read more)(10-1-2022)
In the final few hundred feet of Saturday’s Sparks 300 Xfinity Series race at Talladega Superspeedway, #16-AJ Allmendinger made a move to the outside of #1-Sam Mayer to earn the victory. It’s the fourth win for Allmendinger in 2022, and his first ever triumph on a superspeedway.
#1-Mayer finished, tying his best career finish. #10-Landon Casill placed third, with #39-Ryan Sieg and #8-Josh Berry rounding out the top five.
In his lone start for Big Machine Racing this year, #48-Parker Kligerman crossed the finish line in sixth. #54-Ty Gibbs, #11-Daniel Hemric, #19-Brandon Jones and #9-Noah Gragson filled the top 10.
#21-Austin Hill led a race-high 60 laps and swept the two stages. He ended the race in 14th.
There were 20 lead changes among 12 drivers and three cautions for 11 yellow flag laps.
The average speed of the race was 158.827 mph.
See race details at: Race Results, Drivers Points Standings, Owners Points Standings, Cumulative Report, Penalty Report.
Talladega Paint Schemes
Race Fast Facts – Talladega:
AJ Allmendinger (P) won the 3rd Annual Sparks 300, his 14th victory in 88 Xfinity Series races.
This is his fourth victory and 25th top-10 finish in 2022.
This is his first victory and fourth top-10 finish in six races at Talladega Superspeedway.
Sam Mayer (P) (second) posted his first top-10 finish in three races at Talladega Superspeedway. It is
his 16th top-10 finish in 2022.
Landon Cassill (third) posted his fourth top-10 finish in eight races at Talladega Superspeedway.
Sheldon Creed (12th) was the highest finishing rookie.
Noah Gragson (P) leads the point standings by 0 points over AJ Allmendinger (P).
Xfinity Series Standings after Talladega (Race 28 of 33):
1)#16-AJ Allmendinger 2,134 points (advanced to Round of 8)
2)#9-Noah Gragson 2,134 points (advanced to Round of 8)
3)#54-Ty Gibbs 2,113, +49
4)#21-Austin Hill 2,107, +43
5)#8-Josh Berry 2,091, +27
6)#7-Justin Allgaier 2,089, +25
7)#1-Sam Mayer 2,076, +12
8)#39-Ryan Sieg 2,070, +6
Currently below cutline
9)#11-Daniel Hemric 2,064, -6
10)#98-Riley Herbst 2,060, -10
11)#19-Brandon Jones 2,060, -10
12)#51-Jeremy Clements 2,023, -47
See the Drivers Points Standings and Owners Points Standings.
Cars to the rear: #9-Noah Gragson, #34-Jesse Iwuji, #45-Caesar Bacarella, #51-Jeremy Clements, #78-BJ McLeod, #91-Mason Massey (all unapproved adjustments), #5-Joey Gase (engine), #4-Bayley Currey, #13-Timmy Hill, #44-Howie DiSavino III (all mised driver intros).
Pit Stall Selections
Improving on his opening round lap, #21-Austin Hill won the pole for Saturday’s Sparks 300 Xfinity Series race at Talladega Superspeedway. Hill ran a speed of 182.036 mph.
#54-Ty Gibbs will start second (181.981 mph), his eighth front row start of the season. #2-Sheldon Creed will roll off third (181.870 mph), with #7-Justin Allgaier (181.529 mph) and #19-Brandon Jones (181.305 mph) rounding out the top five.
#9-Noah Gragson will start sixth, as #8-Josh Berry, #16-AJ Allmendinger, #48-Parker Kligerman and #6-Ryan Vargas make up the top 10.
With the threat of rain earlier in the week, three cars withdrew from the event. All 38 cars entered will start the race. #47-Mike Harmon didn’t turn a lap, as his car failed pre-qualifying inspection three times.
See the complete Talladega Starting Lineup.
Qualifying Fast Facts – Talladega
Austin Hill # (P) won the Pole Award for the 3rd Annual Sparks 300 with a lap of 52.605 seconds,
182.036 mph.
This is his first pole in 43 NASCAR Xfinity Series races.
This is his first pole and 17th top-10 start in 2022.
This is his first pole in three races at Talladega Superspeedway.
Ty Gibbs (P) (second) posted his 23rd top-10 start of 2022 and his second in two races at Talladega
Superspeedway.
Sheldon Creed # (third) posted his second top-10 start at Talladega Superspeedway. It is his 15th in 28 races this season.
Austin Hill (P) (first) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
Qualifying Order
Crew Rosters
Goodyear Tire Notes
There are 41 cars on the entry list for the Sparks 300 Xfinity Series race at Talladega Superspeedway. With 41 cars entered, three drivers/teams will miss the race.
Notables: #02-Blaine Perkins, #5-Matt Mills, #13-Timmy Hill, #18-Trevor Bayne, #24-Joe Nemechek, #26-Derek Griffith, #34-Jesse Iwuji, #35-Joey Gase, #36-Josh Williams, #38-CJ McLaughlin, #44-Howie DiSavino III, #45-Caesar Bacarella, #48-Parker Kligerman, #53-Jeffrey Earnhardt, #68-Brandon Brown, #77-Ronnie Bassett Jr., #78-BJ McLeod.
See the full entry list on the Talladega Entry List.
TandemDraft Stats: XFIN Series Edition – Talladega
