JHN STEALS THE WIN IN VEGAS
- burningrubberpodcast
- Mar 2, 2024
- 2 min read
Written By: Lena
Part-time Xfinity driver and Cup Series regular John Hunter Nemechek, wheeled his no.20 Joe Gibbs Racing Camry to victory lane after leading 99/ 200 laps today at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. This marks Nemechek’s first career win at Las Vegas.
The green flag waved at 5:13pm. Wind gusts reached over 50mph. On the initial start of the race, the no.32 car, driven by Sage Karam, would not shift into gear. The caution flag flew on lap 7, when Parker Retzlaff made contact with Sam Mayer in turn 4. Mayer’s car would receive a substantial amount of damage, resulting in a DNF. Ryan Ellis spun on lap 23 from 20th in turn 4, miraculously keeping the car going without bringing out a caution. Shane van Gisbergen brought his car down to pit road on lap 29, with over heating issues. On lap 34, Sage Karam returned to the track 32 laps down. Chandler Smith would go on to win stage 1.
Sage Karam would return back to the garage at the start of stage 2. Meanwhile, Chandler Smith would take the second stage, looking to be the car to beat.
During the final stage, Smith and Nemechek took turns fighting for the lead. With 79 laps to go, Retzlaff stalls at pit exit bring out a caution. Nemechek would take the lead following pit stops. On lap 168, Jeb Burton was caught for speeding on pit road. Following a cycle of pit stops and a daring strategy call from Kaulig Racing's Josh Williams, Nemechek would return to the lead. The checkered flag waved on lap 200, with Nemechek bring home his 62nd career Xfinity Series win.
Comments