Allgaier On Last-Lap Daytona Xfinity Wreck: ‘I’ll Own It’

Justin Allgaier (David Rosenblum/Nigel Kinrade Photography)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Reigning NASCAR Xfinity Series champion Justin Allgaier came close to starting off his title defense with a win at Daytona Int’l Speedway Saturday, until a last-lap crash took him and others out of contention.

The drama, however, began one restart before the chaos that ultimately ended the race.

With two laps remaining in the United Rentals 300, Allgaier found himself pushing rookie JR Motorsports teammate Connor Zilisch in the middle line. Both drivers got a massive run, and it seemed like they would take the lead coming to the white flag.

But at the last moment, Sheldon Creed blocked the run the duo had, causing an accordion effect that led to Zilisch spinning off of his teammate’s front bumper.

Allgaier made it through unscathed, and the caution led to NASCAR Overtime. On the restart, the Riverton, Ill., native got shuffled back to fourth in the outside line. However, coming to the white flag, Allgaier jumped to the middle lane, trying to ride the momentum back to the front.

Unfortunately, he made the block a little too late.

Allgaier went spinning off of Jordan Anderson’s nose, collecting multiple cars, including Josh Williams, who Allgaier ended up underneath as he skidded across the start-finish line.

Justin Allgaier (7) and others crash on the final lap of Saturday's NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Daytona Int'l Speedway. (Scotte Sprinkle/Race Face Digital photo)

Despite extensive damage to the No. 7 BRANDT Chevrolet, Allgaier limped home under caution in 18th as the final car on the lead lap.

“Causing the last wreck is not how I wanted our night to end,” said Allgaier after being checked and released from the infield care center. “The outside row we were in kind of stacked up. I ran into the back of Jeb [Burton] and to keep from crashing him, I headed to the middle. Unfortunately, the 32 [Jordan Anderson] was coming with a big run.

“Just [made the move] too late. I should have pulled left a little earlier,” Allgaier added. “Just a really frustrating night. [The] car had speed, and the team did a great job. I slid the tires on the green flag pit stop and put myself in a bad spot, and had to come from the back all night.

“All in all a great race, just really frustrating how the last 20 laps went.”

Allgaier also said “I’ll own it,” regarding who was at fault for the crash.

“It’s on me, but we’ll rebound from it.”

Allgaier and the rest of the Xfinity Series field head next to Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway for the Bennett Transportation & Logistics 250, where Austin Hill is the defending race winner and has topped four of the past five races at the 1.54-mile quad-oval.

Broadcast coverage is slated for 5 p.m. ET on The CW, the Performance Racing Network, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90.