Chase Elliott and Hendricks Motorsport has dominated the first NASCAR event of 2025, the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium in front of 17,000 fans.

Despite this race not being for championship points, the field put on a great display over the 1/4 mile (402m) track.

Speaking of field, 2nd place finisher Ryan Blaney almost pulled off a last to first challenge as he came through almost the entire field from 23rd place. Blamey who had issues all weekend managed to sort out those problems before the feature race and proved very valuable.

Denny Hamlin who finished 3rd was the only driver to lead laps besides Elliott but could not keep up with the longevity of Elliott’s pace.

4th place finisher was 2024 series champion Joey Logano, he had great late race pace and managed to gain a few positions but traffic got in the way of him finishing in the top 3.

Bubba Wallace finished in an impressive 5th place for 23XI Racing from 14th on the grid.

Shane Van Gisbergen who is set to run the entire NASCAR Cup Series this year got off to a great start to finish 9th. He started in 8th and ran around 7th to 11th all race. Not bad.

NASCAR heads to Daytona in a fortnight’s time for the beginning of the season for the historic Daytona 500.

Full Cook Out Clash Race Results below:

Joey Logano has held off his fast charging teammate Ryan Blaney to win his 3rd NASCAR Cup Championship by less then 0.3 of a second. It is the first time the a team has finished the season 1-2 in the championship as Roger Penske adds a bit more history his already historic team.

After starting the final restart in 5th position, Joey found his way to the front immediately and never looked back. Ryan had the fastest car today, just never had the correct track position after qualifying 17th.

It is the 3rd championship since 2018 for Joey and the 3rd in a row for Penske. Joey’s day was not all that simple as drama in the pitman saw his jack man go down with illness mid race and the jack man from the #2 car stepping into the role for the last stop.

William Byron was once again constant finishing in 3rd but never had the pace of the Penske crew despite leading the race at the final restart. The Final 4 driver Tyler Reddick was in the same boat as Byron, not having the pace to compete for the championship.

Justin Allgaier’s journey to his first NASCAR Xfinity Series championship was a masterclass in persistence, resilience, and racing acumen, highlighting the hard work and sacrifices he has made across years of near-misses in the Championship 4. The race at Phoenix was emblematic of Allgaier’s career: nothing came easy, and every inch of ground was earned through determination.

Pre-Race Challenges and Early Setbacks

The weekend began with unexpected adversity. A wreck in practice forced Allgaier to start the race in a backup car, putting him at a disadvantage from the outset. Despite this, he demonstrated his tenacity, working his way up through the field. But soon after, he suffered a flat tire, which derailed his initial momentum. To make matters worse, during the race’s final stage, he incurred two penalties under green-flag conditions — one for a restart violation and another for speeding while serving the first penalty. These infractions sent him a lap down and severely compromised his position in the field.

At this stage, with the championship seemingly slipping away, Allgaier admitted that he felt his title hopes were over “like 10 times” during the race. This candid admission showed the mental strain he endured, but he remained determined, relying on his team, strategy, and faith to guide him through.

The Turning Point: Stage 2 and a Timely Caution

The pivotal moment in Allgaier’s comeback occurred late in Stage 2, where he found himself racing on older tires and struggling to maintain pace. An intense battle with Riley Herbst led to contact, causing damage to Allgaier’s left rear and appearing to puncture his tire. Despite this setback, he managed to limp to the stage’s end, hoping for an opportunity to reset. With over 100 laps remaining, his team worked to repair the car and improve his handling.

As the final green-flag pit stops approached, Allgaier held out, hoping for a caution. His prayers were answered when Anthony Alfredo hit the wall, bringing out a caution with around 40 laps left. This caution was a game-changer, allowing Allgaier to return to the lead lap and close the gap on his title rivals, including Custer, who had been firmly in control of the championship up to that point.

Battle for the Lead and the Dramatic Double Overtime

Back on the lead lap, Allgaier charged forward with renewed determination, ultimately catching and battling Cole Custer, who was also fighting for the title. Their fierce duel showcased Allgaier’s tenacity as he overtook Custer to secure the lead. However, a subsequent caution set up a single-overtime restart, and a multi-car wreck in the back forced the race into double overtime, prolonging the championship suspense.

On the final restart, Allgaier’s skillful decision-making shone through. As Austin Hill, who had taken only two tires on his pit stop, began to slow down the field, Allgaier waited for the right moment, finding a gap and shooting up the middle to take the lead. But his battle wasn’t over: Riley Herbst, on fresher tires, mounted a charge in the final laps. Allgaier made a strategic decision, giving Herbst ample space as they raced toward the checkered flag, prioritizing the championship over a single race win.

The Championship Win and Emotional Aftermath

Crossing the finish line, Allgaier was crowned the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion, marking the culmination of years of effort and heartbreak in the Championship 4. Overwhelmed by emotion, he tearfully thanked the fans and reflected on the journey that had brought him here. His gratitude extended to his family, especially his wife and children, who had made countless sacrifices to support his career, and to his longtime sponsors, particularly Rick Brandt and the Brandt team, who had supported him through the highs and lows.

Allgaier’s appreciation for his team owners, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kelley Earnhardt Miller of JR Motorsports, was evident as he acknowledged their role in his journey. Dale Jr., a NASCAR icon himself, was visibly moved, embracing Allgaier and commending him as a driver who gives everything on the track. “He’s worked so hard. He’s given so much to our team,” Earnhardt said, underscoring the commitment and loyalty Allgaier had shown over the years.

Final Standings and Legacy

Cole Custer, the defending 2023 champion, finished as the runner-up after his eighth-place finish, having been unable to fend off Allgaier’s late-race charge. A.J. Allmendinger, who mounted his own impressive push with fresher tires, finished third in the championship standings, while Austin Hill, who also faced late-race obstacles, came in fourth.

For Riley Herbst, who ended up winning the race, this was his third career victory and second of the 2024 season, underscoring his own growth as a competitor. But on this day, the spotlight was on Allgaier, who, after seven years of coming up short in the Championship 4, finally claimed his first Xfinity Series title.

A Career-Defining Moment

Allgaier’s victory represented much more than a championship; it was the realization of a lifelong dream, achieved through resilience, faith, and an unbreakable spirit. His comeback from early-race setbacks, his skillful maneuvers in overtime, and his determination to see the race through despite seemingly insurmountable odds make this a legendary story in NASCAR history. After so many years of being close yet coming up short, Allgaier’s perseverance paid off, and his story will be an inspiration for drivers and fans alike, proving that persistence and dedication can ultimately lead to triumph.