Justin Allgaier emerged victorious in a dramatic NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Michigan International Speedway on Saturday. The driver of the No. 7 JR Motorsports Chevrolet used smart pit strategy and a fast car to secure his second win of the season in the Cabo Wabo 250.

Allgaier took the lead with just 16 laps remaining in regulation and successfully defended his position through two laps of overtime. The race concluded under caution due to a multi-car accident in the mid-field, which saw Kyle Sieg’s car flip end-over-end. Fortunately, Sieg was able to exit his vehicle without assistance.

Sheldon Creed finished second, followed by John Hunter Nemechek, Anthony Alfredo, and Sammy Smith rounding out the top five. For Creed, it marked a record 11th runner-up finish without a win in the Xfinity Series.

The victory was particularly significant for Allgaier, as it moved him to 10th on the all-time Xfinity Series win list with 25 career victories, surpassing his team owner and NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr.

“It’s truly special, winning at Michigan,” Allgaier said in his post-race interview. He credited his team’s hard work during the recent break for the improved performance following a disappointing showing at Indianapolis.

The race was not without its challenges, as two brief rain showers interrupted proceedings. However, the weather ultimately cooperated, allowing for an exciting finish under the Michigan sky, complete with a rainbow visible just before the overtime restart.

With this win, Allgaier has now secured six consecutive top-10 finishes and has closed the gap in the regular season championship standings. He now trails points leader Cole Custer by just 12 points with five races remaining in the regular season.

The NASCAR Xfinity Series will next head to Daytona International Speedway for the Wawa 250 Powered by Coca-Cola on Friday, where Allgaier will look to defend his title from last year’s race.

Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images