Justin Allgaier returned JR Motorsports to victory lane as the NASCAR Xfinity Series heads to the Pacific Northwest.
In Charlotte, Justin Allgaier saved just enough fuel to take his first NASCAR Xfinity Series win of the year. Allgaier’s win was also the first of the 2023 season for JR Motorsports after winning 15 races last season.
A restart with 66 laps remaining left teams just outside of their window to make the end of the race on fuel. Allgaier’s team told him that he needed to save two laps of fuel in order to make it to the finish while holding off John Hunter Nemechek. After the two battled closely, Allgaier pulled ahead and slowed his pace enough to take the checkered flag, collecting his 20th career Xfinity Series win.
The Track
The NASCAR Xfinity Series rolls into Portland this weekend for only the second time ever. Portland International Raceway showed last year that it can produce a very exciting race. The long, fast straightaways lead into tight, technical corners to create great passing opportunities. The Turn 1 chicane created enough chaos for its own highlight reel in the last race. The threat of rain in the area could turn a race upside down in an instant. Portland is a welcome addition to the NASCAR Xfinity Series schedule and could be a future home to the Cup Series as well.
Predictions
A.J. Allmendinger on a road course in the Xfinity Series is like Max Verstappen at any Formula 1 race. If a driver other than him wins, it’s considered an upset. The good news for Xfinity drivers is that Allmendinger is not on the entry list, as he will be at Gateway with the Cup Series. That has created a wide-open race with a range of drivers who have a chance to win. Last week’s winner Justin Allgaier has the momentum on his side coming into Portland where he finished fifth last year. Sports car ace Jordan Taylor is driving for Kaulig Racing in his return to NASCAR. Taylor made his first NASCAR start in the Cup Series at Circuit of the Americas in March where he finished 24th. This weekend, however, my pick is going to be Sheldon Creed. In a race that could turn into a slugfest if late cautions come into play, Creed is wild enough to come out on top. He also ran well in this race last season before an incident took him out which he was… not too pleased about.
How To Watch – Pacific Office Automation 147 (All Times EST)
- Practice: Saturday, June 3, 11:30 a.m. on FS1
- Qualifying: Saturday, June 3, 12:00 p.m. on FS1
- Pacific Office Automation 147: Saturday, June 3, 4:30 p.m. on FS1
Featured Image Credit: Meg Oliphant/Getty Images
