Hometown Hero Truex Wins Thrilling Dover Xfinity Race

Credit: DOVER, DELAWARE – APRIL 27: Ryan Truex, driver of the #20 The Toyota Gazoo Racing Toyota, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series BetRivers 200 at Dover International Speedway on April 27, 2024 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)

Ryan Truex etched his name in the Dover Motor Speedway record books on Saturday, winning a wild, double-overtime BetRivers 200 NASCAR Xfinity Series race in his home state of Delaware. The 32-year-old Truex, younger brother of NASCAR Cup Series star Martin Truex Jr., led only the final two laps but made them count to take his second straight victory at the one-mile concrete oval.

Truex had to out-duel Carson Kvapil on the final restart to secure the win in thrilling fashion. Kvapil, son of former NASCAR driver Travis Kvapil, had taken the lead with eight laps remaining before the late-race cautions sent it to overtime. He ended up finishing a remarkable second in just his second career Xfinity start.

Sam Mayer placed third for JR Motorsports, followed by Sheldon Creed in fourth and reigning series champion Cole Custer in fifth after leading a race-high 95 laps. But all eyes were on the unexpected one-two finish by Truex and Kvapil after a race filled with intense action and drama.

For much of the closing laps, it appeared the race would come down to a battle between former teammates Austin Hill and Sheldon Creed, but contact between the two allowed Kvapil to stick his nose in and make it three-wide for the lead inside 10 laps remaining.

The race was halted for a brief rain shower with 34 laps left, changing strategies. Several lead cars pitted, including Custer who had to restart at the tail end after taking new tires and fuel.

In the end, the young Kvapil couldn’t hold off the veteran Truex on the final restart in double overtime. But his breakout performance stamps his status as a rising star in the Xfinity Series.

For Truex, it was a popular home-state victory, taking the checkered flag in front of an enthusiastic Delaware crowd. His back-to-back Dover wins add another chapter to the Truex family legacy in NASCAR.

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