Riley Herbst Dominates at Phoenix, Wins Stage 1 and the Race; Justin Allgaier Secures Xfinity Series Title

Riley Herbst had a stellar performance at the NASCAR Xfinity Series championship race held at Phoenix Raceway on Saturday. Herbst, driving the No. 98 Ford, swept both stages of the event and ultimately won the race. His dominance was evident from the start, as he fended off a hard-charging Chandler Smith to win Stage 1[3].

Herbst’s victory was part of a dramatic day that saw significant shifts in the standings. Despite his race win, Herbst was not in contention for the championship title. That honor went to Justin Allgaier, who secured his first Xfinity Series title with a second-place finish in the race. Allgaier’s path to the title was not without challenges, as he had to overcome a difficult qualifying session where he started in 37th place after wrecking in practice[1].

The starting lineup for the championship race saw William Sawalich of Joe Gibbs Racing on the pole, joined by Sheldon Creed on the front row. Herbst and Chandler Smith followed on the second row, setting the stage for an intense competition[1].

Herbst’s performance highlighted his skill and consistency throughout the event, making him a standout driver in the Xfinity Series. Meanwhile, Allgaier’s championship win marked a significant milestone in his career, cementing his place among the top drivers in the series[2].