October is known for fall colors, breast cancer awareness, and homecoming weekends for college and high school football teams. All three of these come to mind when NASCAR returns to Charlotte Motor Speedway in October, with the Race for the Cure 300, benefitting breast cancer awareness.
The drivers of the NASCAR Xfinity Series were excited to get back to racing in their own backyards. But being back home would also mean the added competition of some Sprint Cup Series drivers, looking to notch a win at their home track. Austin Dillon (#33 Rheem Chevy) was one of those double dippers, and would claim the pole for Friday night’s race.
The active leader in wins would dominate much of the race for the Xfinity Series – Kyle Busch (#54 Monster Energy Toyota). Busch would take the lead on Lap 40 and not look back through much of the remainder of the 200-lap show. By lap 150 though, there were other drivers on his heels, including teammate Erik Jones (#20 GameStop Toyota) and Kasey Kahne (#88 Great Clips Chevy).
It would be a battle between Busch and Kahne that would end badly, as after the restart the two would make contact and go into the wall, heavily damaging the right side of the #54 car. Busch’s night would be at an end, handing the lead to Austin Dillon once more.
From then on to the checkered flag, it was all Austin Dillon. After winning the spring race at the track in May, Dillon would win the Race for the Cure 300 at Charlotte from the pole. Erik Jones would come home in second, and Brad Keselowski (#22 Discount Tire Ford) would come home in third.
In the championship hunt, Chris Buescher (#60 Zest Ford) would hold the points lead, only losing two points to second place Chase Elliott (#9 NAPA Chevy). Regan Smith (#7 Dale’s Pale Ale Chevy) now sits third in points, and Ty Dillon (#3 WESCO Chevy) in fourth.
Next up for the NASCAR Xfinity Series will be racing from America’s heartland at the Kansas Speedway. See the race next Saturday afternoon on NBCSN.
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