Austin Hill Wins Daytona Xfinity Race by Passing AJ Allmendinger

Sean Gardner for Getty Images

DAYTONA BEACH, FL – RIS – In the Beef. It's What's for Dinner. 300 NASCAR Xfinity race at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday night, Austin Hill was the winner in his maiden voyage in a Richard Childress Chevrolet.  Hill took the lead on the last lap from A.J. Allmendinger before the caution came out for a multi-car crash on the backstretch.  One of the drivers involved, Myatt Snider, was flipped into the catch fence and the impact destroyed both ends of his car. But Snider was able to climb out and walk away under his own power.

Hill made his move by getting a huge push from Riley Herbst, sling-shoting the No. 21 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet under Allmendinger’s No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet to take the lead going into Turn 4, securing his fate for the victory.

With the caution freezing the field, Hill was awarded the win. Noah Gragson also passed Allmendinger before the caution to take second. Riley Herbst and Justin Allgaier completed the top five finishers.

“Me and (spotter) Derek Kneeland worked really well tonight,” Hill told Fox said. “I was learning all night. I was telling him, ‘Hey, I’m putting that in the bank, I’m putting that in the bank – I’m just putting that in the memory bank to remember for late in the race.’ We timed (the pass) perfectly. Obviously, that caution came out but we had a heck of a run, so who knows what would’ve happened there. I was able to drag back, (Herbst) gave me a heck of a push, we were able to get by (Allmendinger).”

Allmendinger finished second as the field was frozen once the caution lights appeared. Noah Gragson finished third, followed by Herbst and Justin Allgaier to complete the top five. Rookie Sheldon Creed, Alfredo, Ryan Sieg, Josh Bilicki and Brandon Brown rounded out the top 10.

Last season’s champion Daniel Hemric won both stages and led a race-high 38 laps from pole position. But he was penalized for speeding on pit road during a stop under the caution at Lap 85 (his stop was already an extended one due to repairs to his car’s nose).

Hemric started mid-pack for the ensuing restart at Lap 91. Less than a lap later, he was involved in a 10-car wreck that started with a spin off Turn 4 by C.J. McLaughlin. With his car further damaged, Hemric continued on but finished 28th.

It was Hill’s first win in the Xfinity series as well as his first race for RCR.  He became the eighth Xfinity Series driver to score their first win at Daytona.

Unofficial Results: 41st Annual Beef. It's What's for Dinner. 300, Saturday, February 19, 2022, Daytona International Speedway

Fin, Str, Driver, Car, Laps , St1, St2, Tms Led, Laps Led, Playoff Pts, Pts, Status
1) 2, Austin Hill #, No. 21 Bennett/United Rentals Chevrolet, 120, 4, , 4, 23, 5, 47, Running
2) 11, AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Nutrien Ag Solutions Chevrolet, 120, 2, 4, 3, 18, , 51, Running
3) 14, Noah Gragson, No. 9 Bass Pro Shops/TrueTimber/BRCC Chevrolet, 120, 5, , 2, 12, , 40, Running
4) 10, Riley Herbst, No. 98 Monster Energy Ford, 120, 3, 10, , , , 42, Running
5) 17, Justin Allgaier, No. 7 BRANDT Chevrolet, 120, 7, 5, , , , 42, Running
6) 4, Sheldon Creed #, No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet, 120, , , , , , 31, Running
7) 16, Anthony Alfredo, No. 23 Dude Wipes Chevrolet, 120, , , , , , 30, Running
8) 19, Ryan Sieg, No. 39 CMRoofing.com/A-Game Ford, 120, 8, 2, , , , 41, Running
9) 31, Josh Bilicki, No. 36 Zeigler/Elliott's Custom Trailers Chevrolet, 120, , , 1, 10, , 28, Running
10) 13, Brandon Brown, No. 68 TradeTheChain.com Chevrolet, 120, 9, 6, 1, 12, , 34, Running
11) 15, Ty Gibbs, No. 54 Monster Energy Toyota, 120, 6, 7, 2, 3, , 35, Running
12) 38, Ryan Truex, No. 26 Circle B Diecast Toyota, 120, , , , , , 25, Running
13) 21, JJ Yeley, No. 66 Remote Health Solutions Chevrolet, 120, , , , , , 24, Running
14) 6, Landon Cassill, No. 10 Voyager: Crypto for All Chevrolet, 120, , , , , , 23, Running
15) 20, Jeffrey Earnhardt, No. 24 ForeverLawn Toyota, 120, , , , , , 22, Running
16) 7, Josh Berry, No. 8 Harrison's USA Chevrolet, 120, , 8, 1, 1, , 24, Running
17) 9, Brandon Jones, No. 19 Menards/Swiffer Toyota, 120, , 9, , , , 22, Running
18) 8, Ryan Vargas, No. 6 Swann Security Chevrolet, 120, , , , , , 19, Running
19) 27, Jeb Burton, No. 27 State Water Heaters Chevrolet, 120, , , , , , 18, Running
20) 25, Bayley Currey, No. 4 KSDT CPA Chevrolet, 120, , , , , , 17, Running
21) 36, Kyle Sieg, No. 28 Night Owl Contractors Ford, 120, , , , , , 16, Running
22) 33, Myatt Snider, No. 31 TaxSlayer Chevrolet, 119, , , , , , 15, Accident
23) 3, Jade Buford, No. 48 Big Machine Spiked Coolers Chevrolet, 119, , , , , , 14, Accident
24) 32, Tommy Joe Martins, No. 44 Rally For Valor/Market Rebels Chevrolet, 119, , , , , , 13, Accident
25) 18, Matt Mills, No. 5 J.F. Electric Chevrolet, 119, , , , , , 12, Accident
26) 28, Joey Gase, No. 53 Kitty Kat Coin Ford, 119, , , , , , 11, Running
27) 30, Jesse Iwuji #, No. 34 Equity Prime Mortgage Chevrolet, 118, , , , , , 10, Running
28) 1, Daniel Hemric, No. 11 AG1 Athletic Greens Chevrolet, 116, 1, 1, 4, 38, 2, 29, Running
29) 29, Joe Graf Jr., No. 07 Bucked Up Energy Ford, 110, , , 1, 3, , 8, Running
30) 34, Sam Mayer, No. 1 Accelerate Pro Talent Chevrolet, 105, 10, 3, , , , 16, Running
31) 24, Josh Williams, No. 78 Alloy Employment Services Chevrolet, 95, , , , , , 6, Accident
32) 23, Kyle Weatherman, No. 92 LS Tractor Chevrolet, 91, , , , , , 5, Accident
33) 37, Shane Lee, No. 35 Kitty Kat Coin Toyota, 91, , , , , , 4, Accident
34) 5, Brett Moffitt, No. 02 Hometown Lenders Chevrolet, 91, , , , , , 3, Accident
35) 26, CJ McLaughlin, No. 38 Sci Aps Ford, 91, , , , , , 2, Accident
36) 12, Drew Dollar, No. 18 Lynx Capital Toyota, 14, , , , , , 1, Accident
37) 35, Jeremy Clements, No. 51 One Stop/ASE Chevrolet, 13, , , , , , 1, Accident
38) 22, Caesar Bacarella, No. 45 Lilly Finance Chevrolet, 11, , , , , , 1, Engine
(i) Ineligible for driver points in this series, (#) Rookie

Time of Race: 2 Hrs, 11 Mins, 46 Secs.
Race Length: 120 Laps – 300
Miles Average Speed: 136.605 MPH
Margin of Victory: Under Caution

Stage 1 Top 10: 11, 16, 98, 21, 9, 54, 7, 39, 68, 1
Stage 2 Top 10: 11, 39, 1, 16, 7, 68, 54, 8, 19, 98

Comments: Austin Hill has won the Beef. It's What's For Dinner. 300 at Daytona International Speedway, his first career victory in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

Prior to the start, the following vehicle(s) dropped to the rear of the field under penalty for the reason indicated: Nos. 1, 26, 35 (Unapproved Adjustments). 

Failed to Qualify: (9) 08 David Starr, 90 Alex Labbe, 99 Stefan Parsons, 91 Mason Massey, 33 Natalie Decker, 47 Gray Gaulding, 77 Ronnie Bassett Jr., 52 Harrison Rhodes, 74 Tim Viens(i).

Cautions: 6 for 28 laps;
Laps: 15-19 (No. 18, 51 Incident Backstretch [07]);
32-36 (Stage 1 Conclusion [24]);
62-66 (Stage 2 Conclusion [24]);
85-90 (Debris Turn 4 [34]);
92-97 (No. 02, 11, 24, 34, 35, 38, 44, 53, 78, 92 Incident Frontstretch [23]);
120-120 (No. 31, 5, 48, 44, 23, 27, 10, 54, 8 Incident Backstretch [None]).

Lead Changes: 18 among 9 drivers;
D. Hemric 0;
D. Hemric 1-2;
A. Hill # 3-10;
D. Hemric 11-33;
J. Graf Jr. 34-36;
B. Brown 37-48;
N. Gragson 49-59;
D. Hemric 60-66;
T. Gibbs 67;
D. Hemric 68-73;
T. Gibbs 74-75;
J. Berry 76;
J. Bilicki 77-86;
A. Hill # 87-97;
A. Allmendinger 98-102;
A. Hill # 103-105;
A. Allmendinger 106-117;
N. Gragson 118;
A. Allmendinger 119;
A. Hill # 120.

Unofficial Points, 41st Annual Beef. It's What's for Dinner. 300, Daytona International Speedway
Rank, Driver, Car, Starts, GL, Points, Ldr, Nxt, Race Wins, Stage Wins, Playoff Pts
1) AJ Allmendinger, 16, 1, -1, 51, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0
2) Austin Hill #, 21, 1, -2, 47, -4, 4, 1, 0, 5
3) Riley Herbst, 98, 1, -3, 42, -9, 5, 0, 0, 0
4) Justin Allgaier, 7, 1, -4, 42, -9, 0, 0, 0, 0
5) Ryan Sieg, 39, 1, -5, 41, -10, 1, 0, 0, 0
6) Noah Gragson, 9, 1, -6, 40, -11, 1, 0, 0, 0
7) Ty Gibbs, 54, 1, -7, 35, -16, 5, 0, 0, 0
8) Brandon Brown, 68, 1, -8, 34, -17, 1, 0, 0, 0
9) Sheldon Creed #, 2, 1, -9, 31, -20, 3, 0, 0, 0
10) Anthony Alfredo, 23, 1, -10, 30, -21, 1, 0, 0, 0
11) Daniel Hemric, 11, 1, -11, 29, -22, 1, 0, 2, 2
12) Josh Bilicki, 36, 1, -12, 28, -23, 1, 0, 0, 0
13) Ryan Truex, 26, 1, -13, 25, -26, 3, 0, 0, 0
14) JJ Yeley, 66, 1, -14, 24, -27, 1, 0, 0, 0
15) Josh Berry, 8, 1, -15, 24, -27, 0, 0, 0, 0
16) Landon Cassill, 10, 1, -16, 23, -28, 1, 0, 0, 0
17) Jeffrey Earnhardt, 24, 1, -17, 22, -29, 1, 0, 0, 0
18) Brandon Jones, 19, 1, -18, 22, -29, 0, 0, 0, 0
19) Ryan Vargas, 6, 1, -19, 19, -32, 3, 0, 0, 0
20) Jeb Burton, 27, 1, -20, 18, -33, 1, 0, 0, 0
21) Bayley Currey, 4, 1, -21, 17, -34, 1, 0, 0, 0
22) Kyle Sieg, 28, 1, -22, 16, -35, 1, 0, 0, 0
23) Sam Mayer, 1, 1, -23, 16, -35, 0, 0, 0, 0
24) Myatt Snider, 31, 1, -24, 15, -36, 1, 0, 0, 0
25) Jade Buford, 48, 1, -25, 14, -37, 1, 0, 0, 0
26) Tommy Joe Martins, 44, 1, -26, 13, -38, 1, 0, 0, 0
27) Matt Mills, 5, 1, -27, 12, -39, 1, 0, 0, 0
28) Joey Gase, 53, 1, -28, 11, -40, 1, 0, 0, 0
29) Jesse Iwuji #, 34, 1, -29, 10, -41, 1, 0, 0, 0
30) Joe Graf Jr) 07, 1, -30, 8, -43, 2, 0, 0, 0
31) Josh Williams, 78, 1, -31, 6, -45, 2, 0, 0, 0
32) Kyle Weatherman, 92, 1, -32, 5, -46, 1, 0, 0, 0
33) Shane Lee, 35, 1, -33, 4, -47, 1, 0, 0, 0
34) Brett Moffitt, 02, 1, -34, 3, -48, 1, 0, 0, 0
35) CJ McLaughlin, 38, 1, -35, 2, -49, 1, 0, 0, 0
36) Drew Dollar, 18, 1, -36, 1, -50, 1, 0, 0, 0
37) Jeremy Clements, 51, 1, -37, 1, -50, 0, 0, 0, 0
38) Caesar Bacarella, 45, 1, -38, 1, -50, 0, 0, 0, 0
39) DAVID STARR, , 0, -39, 0, -51, 1, 0, 0, 0
40) ALEX LABBE, , 0, -40, 0, -51, 0, 0, 0, 0
41) STEFAN PARSONS, , 0, -41, 0, -51, 0, 0, 0, 0
42) MASON MASSEY, , 0, -42, 0, -51, 0, 0, 0, 0
43) NATALIE DECKER, , 0, -43, 0, -51, 0, 0, 0, 0
44) GRAY GAULDING, , 0, -44, 0, -51, 0, 0, 0, 0
45) RONNIE BASSETT JR, , 0, -45, 0, -51, 0, 0, 0, 0
46) HARRISON RHODES, , 0, -46, 0, -51, 0, 0, 0, 0
47) TIM VIENS, , 0, 0, 0, -51, 0, 0, 0, 0
 -Ldr/-Nxt = Points behind Leader/Next higher, (i) Ineligible for driver points in this series

Ron Fleshman with John Davison

RIS NASCAR Editor.  Has been with RIS since the middle 90's. Writes on each of the three main series of NASCAR.

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Volume 2022, Issue 2, Posted 8:24 PM, 02.19.2022