Allmendinger enjoys oval breakthrough
HAMPTON, Ga. — A.J. Allmendinger won a NASCAR oval race for the first time in his long career.
Taking advantage of mistakes by the three leaders, the 38-year-old Californian cruised to victory by nearly 2 seconds over pole-sitter Noah Gragson in the Xfinity Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Saturday.
“Oh my god,” Allmendinger said as he climbed from his No. 16 Chevrolet. “I won on an oval.”
Allmendinger, who first came to prominence in openwheel racing, claimed a single victory during more than a decade in the top-level Cup series, and he had three previous Xfinity wins — all on road courses.
Allmendinger started 30th but spent much of the day running in the top 10. Then, after the final caution of the day, the top three cars — Chase Briscoe, Austin Cindric and Justin Allgaier — were all caught speeding on pit road. Cindric, who won the first two stages, ended up 16th.
Truck Series
HAMPTON, Ga. — Taking advantage of a late caution, Grant Enfinger passed local favorite Austin Hill on the final lap to win the NASCAR Truck Series race in overtime Saturday at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
In front of empty grandstands, Hill appeared to be cruising to his first win of the year, building a 4 1⁄2- second lead after several miscues ruined Kyle Busch’s chances of winning for the sixth time in 12 truck races at Atlanta.
Suddenly, everything changed. Cup star Chase Elliott lost control on worn-out tires coming off Turn 2 with three laps to go, sending all the leaders to the pits for tires and setting up a green-whitecheckered finish.
After taking the white flag, Enfinger slid by on the outside to take the lead for good going through Turns 1 and 2. He claimed his second victory of the interrupted season, having also won at Daytona in the February opener.
Dixieland Speedway
ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. —AustinHubbardofSeaford, Delaware, won the 30-lap Late Model division race Friday night as Dixieland Speedway began its stock-car season with fans allowed in attendance.
Hubbard started alongside pole-sitter Ryan Steeley of Elizabeth City in the 18-car field on the clay track.
As Steeley made a pass around lapped traffic, Hubbard overtook him and led the final 22 laps for a $1,000 prize. Tom Wilson was second, while John Staton of Chesapeake was third and Steeley fourth. Langley Speedway owner Bill Mullis, who’s waiting for his track to be allowed to admit fans before he opens, finished15th in his Dixieland debut.
Also winning were Dylan Shatzer of Hagerstown, Maryland (Virginia Sprint Series), Troy Brickhouse of Elizabeth City (Sportsman), Dennis Barnes (Super Streets) and Chris Freemon (Stock Fours). Freemon teaches at the Chesapeake Career Center, where his students help prepare his car.