The 36th annual NASCAR Xfinity Series race in Las Vegas, known simply as “The LiUNA!,” took place on Saturday.
Sammy Smith started on the pole for the first time in five races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, but Justin Allgaier quickly passed him and won stage one.
During the second stage, Aric Almirola pushed to the front, making it clear that pit stop strategy and attention to detail would be important.
It came down to Allgaier and Almirola, who ran first and second for the majority of the race, but Allgaier, the defending series champion, won.
“The word of the day was simply discipline.” Do not make a mistake,” Allgaier said. “Aric, even when he got to victory lane, he came in and said, ‘You never missed the bottom. I was sure you’d miss it just once, and that would be my ticket to go right around you.”
Almirola’s post-race comments reflected the pair’s competitive camaraderie.
“I enjoy racing with Justin. “He’s a fantastic competitor and a lot of fun to race with, and I have a lot of respect for him and his family,” Almirola said. “We are just having fun out there. Two guys in great race cars just going for it.”
Allgaier’s first win in Las Vegas came after several close calls in the past.
“Over the years, when you finish 2nd and 3rd and 4th and 5th, you just keep knocking off those top fives, it’s great, and you love every minute of it, but it’s also disheartening because you want this victory,” Allgaier claimed.
The NASCAR Xfinity Series returns to Homestead-Miami Speedway in Florida next week for the Hard Rock Bet 300.
Watch the race live on The CW Saturday, March 22 at 4:00 p.m. ET.