In a thrilling turn of events at Bristol Motor Speedway, Cole Custer emerged victorious in Friday’s Food City 300, securing not only the race win but also the NASCAR Xfinity Series regular-season championship. The race, which set the field for the upcoming Xfinity Series Playoffs, was marked by unexpected twists and fierce competition.

A Comeback for the Ages

Custer’s path to victory was far from smooth. The driver of the No. 00 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford hit the outside wall early in the race, raising concerns about his championship aspirations. However, Custer showcased remarkable resilience, fighting his way back to lead a race-high 104 laps and ultimately crossing the finish line 0.896 seconds ahead of second-place finisher Sheldon Creed.

“This is huge, because our confidence was going down there the last month,” Custer said post-race. “To get this win really means a lot… It’s unbelievable. These guys never give up.”

Championship Battle Takes Unexpected Turn

The race was equally significant for its impact on the regular-season championship. Justin Allgaier, who entered the event with a 43-point lead, faced a series of setbacks that dramatically altered the standings. A collision on Lap 52 damaged Allgaier’s car, and further incidents, including contact with Creed on Lap 153, relegated him to a 30th-place finish, 10 laps down.

Custer’s victory, combined with Allgaier’s misfortunes, allowed him to overcome the point deficit and claim the regular-season title by a mere three points. This last-minute shift awards Custer an additional 15 Playoff points, significantly boosting his championship hopes.

Playoff Picture Solidifies

The Food City 300 also finalized the Xfinity Series Playoff field. Sammy Smith and Parker Kligerman secured the last two available spots, finishing 15th and 16th respectively. Notable performances came from Chandler Smith and Jesse Love, who finished third and fourth, having already clinched their Playoff berths.

Looking Ahead

As the dust settles on the regular season, all eyes now turn to the Playoffs, set to begin on September 28th at Kansas Speedway. Despite the dramatic turn of events at Bristol, Justin Allgaier will enter the postseason as the top seed with 34 Playoff points, followed closely by Custer with 28.

The stage is set for an intense battle for the Xfinity Series championship, with Custer’s momentum and Allgaier’s consistency throughout the season promising an exciting showdown in the races to come.

Photo by Tyler Summerfield/ Full Throttle Media