NASCAR Xfinity Series United Rentals 300 | NASCAR Xfinity Series Full Race Replay

the weight is finally over the off season is gone part two of our Daytona double the season opener for the NASCAR Xfinity Series 120 laps 300 miles opening stage 30 laps the rookie in the outside Lane pole sitter Jesse love off we go from the world center of racing and outside Lane getting a good start here got the Chevrolet of Parker figman lined up behind Jesse love but I figured Jesse was going to go to the bottom and get in front of his teammate off I have a feeling he might have had that coming I think they probably planed that but it uh it's working right now they made that look easy it's not always easy to execute especially when everyone in the field knows you're going to try and pull it off try yeah they're trying for you not to do that inside Lane in the 16 the white and black 16 little orange that's AJ almond Dinger he just ran the Daytona 500 finished top 10 and check out that white car second in line on the bottom Shane Van gurgen he's got his eyes wide open right now I can guarantee you that he's got to learn how to draft never done this before and it's going to be a real challenge yeah this is uh this is definitely trial by fire when you start that race up front with all these guys that have so much experience at this kind of racing comes from New Zealand three-time Supercar Champion 81 wins there pulling out of line in the 20 John Hunter neek another one of the drivers doing double duty today driving for Joe Gibbs Racing yeah he wasn't satisfied with just riding in line right there he just pulled down tried to make it the head of that inside Lane see if he can make it happen and that lined up a bunch of Chevys up top and they are pushing there's Jeremy Clemens in the 51 South Carolina driver Parker rlof in the 31 that black Chevrolet down low top 10 both races here a year ago for the youngster from Wisconsin I think I heard ECR engines the Chevy engine group had 17 enges in this race we talk about strength and numbers we said that during the 500 broadcast we'll say it again tonight but here in this xinity race 38 cars 27 of them Chevrolets the the bow tie Brigade can hook up and make it happen in the draft yeah that's why I think John Hunter NCH said I don't want to be a part of this let me dive to the bottom and see if I can put my Toyota in the front of this race he's got a nice push there by almond Dinger and there you see van gbur and right behind as well yeah AJ almond Dinger is so good at this style of racing and he he knows when to give somebody a push when not to how to get off their bumper when they're starting to get in the corner not get them sideways he's uh he's really good at a restrictor PL type race this is this is what these drivers needed to do you know they're twoo wide they're strung out pretty good but they're learning they're seeing how their cars handle what kind of grip they've got how they can pull up how they can draft there's a lot of going there's a lot going on right now behind the wheel it looks like maybe they're just running around in line but Andy they're on the gas they're lifting they're trying to get runs they're understanding what their car has and how they can get to the front yeah I was looking at the lap times they're not really soft pedaling around here like we saw some of the race happen in the 500 some of those guys were really kind of saving Fuel and not really running Full Throttle these guys look like they're pretty pretty well hammered down I I think the xinity guys know one thing yeah H down that's right wide open and these stages are only 30 laps so they can go all the way on a tank of fuel without having to stop like we saw the green flag stops in the stages in the 500 I was going to say the balance is different here in the way you approach the race because of that shorter stages and you know you can make it to the end of the stage on fuel I'm pretty sure you have intimate information about the strategy for RCR today I talked to America's crew chief Larry mcrs he said he thinks the play is to run to the end of the stage end of the stage and then run to about lap 75 and get gas and be done on Pit Road that's pretty much it I'm not going to give away anything but I think that's that's pretty close to what uh the the winning strategy is going to be maybe get four tires at the end of that second stage if you're going to change tires that would be the time to do it look at those cars move around I'm telling you that thing is all over the place listen to Daniel Suarez gas Suarez 2016 Series champion full-time in cup now comes from Monterey Mexico he's had quite a career since coming to the States won a cup race last year two years ago at Sonoma and won an awesome NASCAR Mexico race out at the colle SE in La that was cool to see him win there Austin Hill running second right now initial thoughts how's it feel it's okay the two cars pretty good copy that crew crew chief Alex Johns just understanding Regan what are they saying down there in the pits everything going good well Michael you hear Austin Hill saying how good his car is right now that's important there was some small changes aerodynamically to these race cars before this Daytona race they put slits in the back window to allow some of the air to escape Austin told me yesterday he felt like that changed the handling of his race car that this first stage was going to be critical in order to make the right adjustment and keep in mind these guys won't get a lot of chances to adjust they need to get it right early on so they can be good later on yeah those slots that they put in the rear glasses kind of like uh it matches what the cup guys are doing for cooling cooling the drivers to get air moving in the car it does make the cars make a little more rear down for so it changes the balance a little bit the guys you know got a pretty good handle on it but I honestly think that it's going to make cars more stable uh possibly in these drafting situations the other thing I thought in regard to handling these teams got 50 minutes of practice here on Friday and it was during the day much warmer than what it is now and they certainly were not in a draft like this did how much did they learn then that can transfer to tonight yeah they could learn a few things they didn't get many laps but they did at least figure out what their car was going to feel like seven laps in and the rookies L them ball Jesse love in front of his teammate Austin Hill cerman Aly Alfredo the top five will roll in in [Music] Daytona [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] for we had to wait 48 hours but it's finally time for the NASCAR xinity series to open up 2024 11 laps in to the opening stage Jesse love started on the poll he's LED our first now 11 laps of the race Austin Hill's teammate hanging right there with him yeah we're approaching halfway of this stage and it's uh a single file right now I'm trying to figure out who is the one that's going to make the line to make it double file to see if they can score stage points well we saw John Hunter be the first one to jump out to the bottom but he's falling in line here it'd be a difficult you're going to need two or three guys to go with you need a they'll be more they'll be more apt to do it later in this stage they won't do it in the middle because they don't want to get hung out the question is there's two questions who does it and when do they pull it off right so who is this Jesse love kid well he's 19 years old grew up in California and he's been picking him up putting him down at the racetrack since he was 5 years old what he did last year in ARCA winning 10 of 20 races and claiming the championship is remarkable and he's off to a great start in his exfinity career Josh yeah and Jesse love is a kid that is very confident in his abilities I asked him the other day as he set expectations for the season he says I don't make goals I don't make expectations I just go out there and perform but he credits his teammate Austin Hill a lot for giving him some advice going into the year he said most older guys won't be that open with giving you their notes on things he said Austin Hill was an open book and really helped them out leading into this race guys yeah Austin Austin's a great teammate I mean he really is he mentors these guys and uh he's just been one of those guys that has helped our Infinity program grow into a better you know a better program so I I see him and Jesse being really good teammates and you know Sheldon Creed drove here last year and he was a great teammate as well and uh and him and Austin Hill work good together so you know I think Austin's just really easy guy to be around yeah Sheldon Creed's back there behind John Hunter in his Toyota so see how those two team up and there you seeing that blue car Anthony Alfredo doing a nice job up in the top five here early in the going in Daytona yeah he did a good job in the Cup race too there for most of it he was up there in top 10 a few times and uh and really really digging with those guys Alfredo driving the five car full-time this season for our Motorsports you see dude wipes is the sponsor had all that rain over the weekend no one really had anything to do he had his umbrella out walking around the campground handing out packets he was putting them in the in the bathrooms too he say he was that's Master marketing right there he is a hustler though works hard at the racetrack in the garage behind the wheel and during the week trying to put those sponsors together and here he is running inside the top five right behind him see Sammy Smith in that eight car and then we're on board with Daniel Suarez Daniel's back in the 10th position running around the top Wendy's has been here all weekend giving away biggie bags be a pretty big deal if Daniel could go to Victory Lane would be a big wouldn't it yeah I got one of those little frosties they were giving away they're pretty good you look at that 14 car and that's really a fifth CAG car racing here at Daytona they're running it under the Bobby daughter SS Greenlight umbrella but colag did bring it down prepare it and Daniel's racing it for them and good to see the 16 series champ back racing at Daytona on board with our reigning champ Cole kuster top five when we came here last August and what about the end of the season for that Monster energy forward ahead of him Riley herps he just finished on fire got that big win and then reeled off five top five finishes just strong at the end of the season that was really cool to see too yeah I think he's really coming into his own like you said those those last races were super strong I think he's he's done really well in the couple braac that he's run for steuart hos and and for Rick wear those those have been strong races for him too so he's got he's gotten some attention in that cup garage you know Adam you mentioned all the Chevys if I'm a Ford and a Toyota I'm going to say hey guys here we go we got a Ford making a move here let's see if anybody goes with him let's do this together let's go let's Ford and Toyota Go versus Chevy right now they're not look like they're arguing over this spot right here with Daniel SZ you got to like Riley's Spirit he said I got to go I do like that nobody went with him you said Ford and Toyota it's a little too early I think should go together we had a Ford and a Chevy that about got together on track couple of drivers racing side by side that just finished up the Daytona 500 Herpst was 24th Suarez ended up 34th after getting in that crash Ryan Truex in the 19 okay look like he made a he made a p there that wasn't there that was tight I'm going to predict the spotter did not say I don't think he did clear I think he did after he was in Sam May Dives the bottom they're getting anancy they want to do something about this train run rning around the top you see Sam there first guy on the bottom in that orange car yeah you see that Gap that gap's going to close and when that momentum comes you'll see some guys jump out there'll be 13 to go this time by I think everyone needs to exercise some patience you know first 10 laps were calm now they're starting to get with it as we head to the final third of stage one that Sam mayor down there on the bottom all by himself he tried yep nothing there everyone take a deep breath mayor slides in in 20th we go to break on board with Sheldon Creed he's eighth Jesse love continues to show the [Music] way [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] 10 laps to go stage number one at Daytona remember when we went to break and they were running single file all right we're getting with the program now yeah we're we're facing now those guys that are outside the top 10 are just trying anything they can to get that bottom line going but so far they've just had to give it a shot and then bail you can see still three guys down on the bottom web by Riley herbs trying it out trying to get there we got nine to go to the end of the stage I just I'm not sure if we'll see anybody maybe some of the guys that are not running for points to duck down Pit Road and maybe get a little bit of fuel and line up on the restart up front yeah you can stop and get gas and not lose a lap and if you you comes with two to go if you're back 10 say you're John Hunter neim we know he doesn't care about points will he take that chance to grab that track position yeah and you got you know Daniel Suarez you got a handful of guys that another one yeah don't don't really care much about point oh here we go John Hunter out of line sixth a little drafting help from his new teammate at Joe Gibbs Racing on board here this the Toyota on board Shelton Creed here we go and we have our first caution of the night it's going Sam May the [Music] one well there's another Pur car involved that is not good Kyle weatherman the 91 trying to figure out how those other two cars got caught up in that look like the white car is that Haley is that Haley I thought it was the 15 yes it is she might have been part of the start of that I think her Hood was been up when we saw arrived yeah yeah when we saw Sam the first time oh eight laps to go first stage and we have our first caution and it's taking out some really really good race cars yeah I was really looking forward to watching Haley battle and and Sam Daniel as well those like you said ad them just good race cars see what we can tell what happens here this the Wendy's on board uh-oh yeah looked like a big stack up really yeah and Daniel got out of the gas and whoever was right behind Daniel didn't didn't see the stock up or didn't get the word there's Haley running into the back of the Wendy's car I think about Sam Mayer and I rewinded this race a year ago and he was in the hunt had a chance to win it on the final lap and if you remember coming off turn two got upside down scary crash for him and tonight eliminated boy that was a hard [Music] hit you don't like to see those angles tough break for a driver who ended last season so strong you could see Daniel's eyes he looked up in the mirror because he knew was off the gas and he wanted to make sure that the the person behind him wasn't going to hit him as soon as he looked up bam contact so how do you avoid that I mean very difficult you can't see two cars ahead of you so it's just tough see the Fire come out the exhaust somebody let off and [Applause] [Music] Bam for for e for for when we restart to end stage one there will be less than five laps to go and Jesse love will be the race leader we're under caution for the first time tonight four drivers involved including the 14 of Daniel Suarez Daniel was off the gas and got hit from behind yeah just not sure why he had to get out of the gas so abruptly yeah I mean they were just all in a line running looked fairly smooth and then wow this this is not what you normally see here you know most of these RS happen when they're running two or three wide and running into the side of each other clearly drivers are hungry for a big win in Daytona today but track house drivers Daniel Suarez and Shane Van gisbergen were hungry for a win at the Wendy's biggie golf course this is go biggie sponsored by Wendy's all right welcome to the first annual Wendy's go biggie Golf Invitational we've got track house Stars Daniel SAR and Shane Van gisbergen and the biggest thing about today is some sweet prizes so they get the Wendy's biggie bag our Amigo Daniel Suarez he's up first and coming up next it is Shane and you know what I know these two are friends on the track and teammates that was all gas and no break congratulations to our Amigo Daniel Suarez the biggie bag I I think the Hat was actually would actually clarify as going biggie you know that was a major statement yeah it was there's some biggie traffic at that Wendy's in the infield Adam swung through there and got me a frosty get a burger good stuff for Daniel Suz that's this his seventh start here in an xinity car only a seventh or what eigh place finishes his best that he's had so this is a probably disappointment for him well had a chance to win the 500 running up front crashed in the big one Lake finishes 34 here's what we're talking about on board with the 99 right here [Music] oh listen to that he had to gas wide open he saw a hole just couldn't quite get through it well he was in a really good spot too I knew he got involved in the crash and watching the replay I still looking at all that clean track in front of him was convinced and he was going to drive through unscathed listen [Music] listen out of the gas right back in it but yeah he's he was standing in it nothing he could do chief Andy would you forego stage points right here and get that track position for the next stage well if I'm trying to run for points I think I would stay out if you're up in the top 10 you're in the stage points now I think you take them if you're not in the stage points there's no reason not to come down we got some takers Justin Al got our first one out of the top five to come down and these are series regulars these are drivers that want and need those points they said I'll come down and get a little fuel maybe some tires we're going to mix it up that's what these stage breaks do they give you an opportunity to use strategy to get track position that's exactly what we're seeing going be a handful of laps to make it up though Ryan SE Sammy Smith Jeremy Clemens Patrick emmerling bla Perkins all making pit stops here they'll all cycle to the front after the stage break and the other cars pit but how many of them get can get there before the stage break how many times have we seen that where you ride a guy off and say well that they pit they give up the stage points and then they show up at a place like Daytona they rally late in the stage last couple of laps maybe the last lap and they find their way into the top 10 Josh yeah let's get an update on the seven of Justin Aly the debate was whether to come in or stay out for a while they left the decision up to Justin Aly who said ultimately that they should come in and uh they made left side Tire changes field adjustments as well guys Josh Riley in the 98 car there was no decision needed to be made there they were running 18th decided to go ahead and pit now make some adjustments and fi that car a little bit too loose with the back on Entry needed to tighten that up that means the back tires were sliding he didn't have the grip that he wanted and the 21 of Austin Hill there was a little bit of a debate Austin felt like if they pitted he could get back up through the field because his car was that good ultimately they decided to stay out he's a little bit loose right now as well in particular in the wake of other cars and you know what's getting ready to get serious is when the stage ends and our our rookie that's been on the pole and let all these laps we're going to put him back in the pack yeah we'll see what he can do coming through the traffic now he's going to learn a a great deal a great lesson here when we get ready to go back racing yeah he's LED 26 laps and that's the most lap set of rookie in his debut has ever LED since Kirk Bush did in his debut when he led 70 laps at Texas and actually ended up the winter now keep in mind he was a cup driver when he did that cup Champion Cup champion now now you haven't been in the booth for a while while you forgot your tie but you did bring the stat book I I see I my guys same guys it's the same guys that are up here they hand it to you because you can read you know that they're still celebrating down there Michael that's what it's all about right there you'll you might see them here in the morning still celebrate celebrate that the rest of your life what an odd circumstance to win the 500 and as you celebrate a RAC is going on behind you right congratulations to William Byron congratulations to Hendrick Motorsports on their 40th anniversary 40 years ago today is when they got things going at HMS and they come back here over 300 wins all time and another victory in the Great American race yeah and I heard Williams say his dad was a little under the weather so we want to give a shout out to Bill Byron Bill's a buddy of ours we play golf together and uh certainly wonderful family hope Bill's doing all right doing the chws we'll have our restart ending stage one with two laps to go Spring football is about to hit a whole new level as the usfl and the XFL come together to unleash the United Football League opening weekend kicks off March 30th on Fox with the usfl champion Birmingham stallions taking on the XFL Champion Arlington Renegades the UFL this spring on ABC ESPN FS1 and fox and you know what Adam The Rock Says gentleman start your engines today he's been in Daytona for a couple of days it's really cool to see the rock here I can promise you he never missed a day in the wait room didn't look like it I saw him in the infield I saw him sitting on the pre-race stage yesterday with Jamie McMurray Kevin Harvick and Clint Boer and boy him healthy man right there mhm I'd let him be the first one off the bus you know seems like a good good guy though there's Daniel or excuse me Ross Chastain Daniel's teammate look at the Rock signing some autographs look at that smile just a fun guy to be around and the fact that he came back today and did his job after being here yesterday in the rain he did bail when we got rained out did he all right Andy are the uh Team orders for the whole race I say in this situ two going to two going to pull down in front of the 21 I would I would expect that yeah but the Dipsy Doodle or whatever Jo call Joy calls it something um it it's it's dangerous because if you mess around too much those that second row can jump on you sometimes it doesn't work out yeah I think Joey calls it the oky DOI oky DOI I got to be honest I have tried theie DOI last year in the 500 with with Austin Dylan and Kyle didn't work the oky doie ended with oh no right they've added a lap we'll come back for the restart after you watch this on FS1 for for for [Music] for it's like really slick I'd go tell somebody felt like ice when I went over it and was swerving back and forth hey at least tell the two to be ready to give me some room I don't I don't know what's going to happen when I get down there if it's going to turn good or not yeah I mean he's got the same he's got the same situation he's going to have to semi Crow you because his whole top Lan all right so it's going to pick up when we get to turn one it sounds like slick down there yep looks like our guys's going to be the first to know and this restart comes with exactly one lap remaining in the stage love outside of Hill nice push there by the five of Anthony Alfredo right in the back of Hill kuster got tires outside lanee trying to make it three wide to end the stage he's your Champion he knows how important these stage points are yeah it doesn't look like the old oky DOI is in play here RCR guys are racing it out almond Dinger changing lanes in the pack teammates side by side down the back straightway we saw in the start of the race where the 21 let the two in and it didn't happen there and the two's getting a great push from cerman he did get a good push but they didn't they didn't play like they did at the beginning of the race where it looked like Austin Hill maybe let Jesse love down in front to get them nose to tail they're Racing for these points right here what about a first stage win too love looks good outside Lane back to the start Finish Line it's close photo finish to end the opening stage that's about as close as the qualifying round was they were 3,000 apart in qualifying and I don't think I I don't think that was any further you agreed too close to call that was incredible okay let's look at it ah just an by that much wow Jesse love wins the opening stage at [Music] Daytona for for yeah for e [Music] 24 our second caution of the evening is out because we have wrapped up stage number one our first caution because of a crash at lap 23 and I'm happy to report that Daniel Suarez Sam mayor Haley Degan Kyle weatherman all have been released from the infield care center and here is our state stage one winner Jesse love starts on the pole leads over 30 laps and gets a stage win I mean his career is off to a hot start it's been hot since he buckled in at the age of five hasn't it mhm how'd y'all find this guy what made you think that this guy Jesse love was somebody that would be perfect for RCR maybe those 10 wins in ARCA last year in the championship yeah he's he's proven himself uh you know it's it's always taken a chance when you go to the next level but we feel really good about him [Music] I believe you have a really really fast car yourself on the back Danny ain't me bud everybody here that's Danny Stockman Crew Chief and like I said uh on the open there he is one competitive guy you want him on your pitb and you know Adam I was joking about the okey doie or Dipsy Doodle whatever it is it's a plan between teammates and it doesn't necessarily have to be teammates when you're on that front row if you're on the outside the guy on the inside might just drag a little bit and let him get down in front of you so you can push the guy you want to push but Andy with a stage point on the line and one lap around this place it was game on yeah that was good that was fun to watch and we we tried to figure out what the margin of uh of uh victory was at the line and our all of our Electronics said it was Z .0 had to go to the had to go to the tape see the cars on the left outside there staying out after the strategy call before the end of that stage Alman Dinger and Aly will be the first two in that category they've already made pit stops everybody else coming at the end of stage one Regan Adam the 48 of Parker clingerman had a great first stage felt like he just needed a little bit more push and he could have got the job done otherwise the car has been good for him in the 21 of Austin Hill they're going to stop him a little bit short with other cars coming around and going to tighten him up just a little bit right now finally Josh 27 of Jeet Burton happy with his car so far a Super Speedway winner last season looking to add another one to his resume and the two of Jesse love how about this debut has led the most laps a stage winner happy with that car as well and you heard him talking about the speed they got in that car already guys Nick bag on strategy some drivers going with two others going with four we'll reset the running order when we come back and get stage two and I hope it ends like stage one it was a thriller Jesse Love by that [Music] much for e getting lined up for the second stage it's the NASCAR Infinity Series at Daytona International Speedway with Michael walri and Andy Petri I'm Adam Alexander two of the men in the booth tonight have on a tie one does not here's your stage one point two guys have w at Daytona and one that hurt let's look at stage points should we yeah that's how I feel right now that was a great comeback it really was me and Andi must love you think it's a Monday night in Daytona and I'm so happy to be here this is a beautiful day the drivers that pitted under caution at the end of the stage will restart from 14th on back up front those that came prior to stage in front row AJ alinger Justin algy this could get very dicey nice push there on the outside you see Riley herbs right on the back of AJ alond Dinger 97 third car in line outside the white vehicle that's Shane Van gizen racing in the draft in the exfinity series for the first time this is his debut and boy is he impressing early on just got to learn every move Adam you're going to just take in so much if you're a veteran you're learning right now if you're a rookie your eyes are wide open watch that two car see how he can get through this crowd yeah this is part of the race that's kind of concerning for me just to watch what what kind of moves he's going to make here and he's not he's not being patient he got four tires they came down Pit Road a lot of guys took two we discussed the drivers that stayed out I like that little move there the two-car made bounc right up in the middle little a lot of room there though no but he made it look easy he didn't pressure too much allar jumps to the lead reigning champ behind him Cole kuster want to report Anthony Alfredo had an uncontrol Tire on the cycle of stops so he had to start from the rear and look at Blaine Perkins the blue car inside Lane driving that 29 fulltime there goes Jesse love I was worried about that third caution of the night neek involved almond Dinger Austin Hill I did not like the situation he was in and now got Austin Hill caught up in it I don't know if he's got damage I don't think any damage for Austin Hill yeah the 20 turn hard hard left they got him doesn't look like anybody hit anything very hard bounced off each other and slid through the grass but if you were to make a list pre-race of contenders for the win a whole bunch of them a caught up right there well the move to the middle was was was too risky yeah this is not good yeah was too risky this early he made it look smooth but when he got there he got he got stuck have to see if he got a little contact or why it went around but putting your car in the middle a tough place to be let's see if we can see if there's contact or what exactly happens see the third car back in the in the center the two there's pushing going on yeah he's getting a little bit of contact from behind and it went wrong right there was that John Hunter that was look like John Hunter yeah just just a little bit too much of a push yeah they're trying to make that center lane Surge and they almost have to be touching each other you know bump drafting so they can make that happen and uh man it just cars are not quite stable enough for that look at that simultaneous slide from 20 and 21 and Austin did a really good job of writing the ship and hanging on to it he's got damage but it could have been a whole lot worse just a a lot of wind in the middle of that RAC trck when you're you're the center of three wide your car is getting buffeted from both directions and if you get any little bit too aggressive with a steering wheel you'll get behind and you're steering in a hurry this should be wild we're going to hop on board with Austin Hill as he slides through the grass I don't think any damage to that car yeah it's hard to believe I don't see any also saw Sammy Smith driving through the grass this is the Bennett Transportation onboard [Music] camera yeah he did get some probably did get some damage from that at right front he had to like his Spirit though he saw him starting to get sideways and saw that open track ahead and was able to just gun it but unfortunately John Hunter came down watch Austin and [Music] listen the audio would make you think the car is destroyed and there look at that's anything but destroyed yeah this side looks pretty good I think that right front's going to show a little damage though Parker cerman a quasi teammate running for big machine this is his style of racing so good in the draft major disappointment for them after a great qualifying run yeah that's the one tool you want to leave in the tool box you don't want to be using it taping up John Hunter neek nearly won here a season ago and there's the five of Anthony Alfredo look at that list of cars involved a lot of those guys rean we see on that list we had circled for potential winners Adam that's right and you see one of the cars on Pit Road still right now the 20 of John Hunter neek a little miscommunication they didn't have enough damage to where they felt like they had to stay here they thought they could get back around they didn't find out the pace car was as close as it was to the end to Pit Road till it was too late so now they're parked here they're going to lose a lap and go ahead and fix it right now and fix it right but you lose lap this early there's going to be more cautions we know we'll get one at the end of stage two so chances are at some point you'll find your way back on the lead lap via the free pass all these teams have six minutes to work on their car when it comes to the damaged vehicle policy and if you can't get it repaired in that period of time you will be done for the night such a strong start to this race for Anthony afraid all the damage there I just go back to the Penalty so you have to restart in the back and and if you hadn't had the penalty maybe maybe You' have been ahead of all that get caught up in it Justin Aly leading at Daytona under caution for the third time tonight it's our second crash got started middle of the pack and one of the victims our poll sitter the rookie Jesse love [Music] for for for [Music] [Music] for we've mentioned it a few times several changes in the offseason in the Infinity Series let's do xinity cart we start with Joe Gibbs Racing neim goes to cut but he's back to share a ride with Eric Al marola Chandler Smith comes over show so does Shelton Creed colleague racing is all mixed together now hemr goes the cup we said Chandler Smith is gone Al minger is back you got Josh Williams Shane Van gisbergen Daniel Dy racing here tonight and then there's your group at RCR yep there's Sheldon Creed and Austin Hill that was last year now we got Jesse love in Austin Hill a 29 and a 19yearold they go sliding off the track you got all that Michael I I do I like the changes that um RCR made cuz I can keep up with that because there were two and only one left one change I'm down with that the other stuff was confusing rean Adam just to update the 21 of Austin Hill on pit road again for the second time time working on some repairs a little bit of right front damage had to raise the splitter up just a little bit it got knocked down the biggest problem though the grill got filled up with grass they were able to take a blower get that cleaned out team just told me everything's good now still over 25 cars on the lead lap after we cleaned up the crash and several have been to Pit Road you mentioned Josh Williams getting this opportunity with colleague he just got pushed back behind the wall so um unfortunately for Josh he's out of the race think about the night for colleague we had Suarez who was caught up in the crash you just mentioned Josh Williams Shane Van gisbergen got some of the action on that crash Daniel die so to AJ almond Dinger so they've been banged up in the early portion of this race tonight looks like Frankie mun has got squeezed in the middle try to get in a place that wasn't there a little bit damaged he'll have to go to the garage Frankie one of those drivers making his xinity debut here tonight now we look at our Toyota top performers five Toyotas in the race tonight led by Chandler Smith haven't talked a whole lot about him one last season is a rookie driving for coll did that at Richmond and leading the way for the Toyota group tonight and Sage carum coming from the back with an engine change driving the 26 for Sam Hunt racing how impressive was that drive at Richmond for Chandler Smith I mean he just on a short track whooped him and he has a lot of talent it's been fun to see him get great opportunities he's back in the Toyota camp after last year being a Chevy driver at colic prior to that driving for Kyle bus in the Craftsman Truck Series here's his bio just a reminder of who he is and I would say he's a kid and and by age he is but gosh he's married and he's got two children of his own started racing at a very young age so good when it came to ARCA competition nine wins there mentioned his time at kbm Five Truck victories for Kyle and then last year winning at Richmond one of our great rookies in 2023 remade the playoffs yeah his star is rising for sure I I think he's got a a ton of uh potential did I make a bad decision there what do you think happened there uh John Hunter NE happened to you you'll learn that lesson the hard way that's part of the deal I haven't seen it from head on yet but him behind us I knew it was a bad situation to begin with yeah I just thought I got an off center push a ton of damage for the two of Jesse love to fix he had to come back down to Pit Road he was concerned about being all the on the splitter you saw all the damage to the right front they took a round out of the right rear but still some concern for Jesse love after such a strong start to this race guys you know Andy when he Dove up into the middle did Jesse love he did it so smoothly I thought that was a nice move but then he just got stalled out in the middle and I you you hit me on the arm and you shook your head no and he got stuck in the middle and just got crazy on the back well you got a guy that's just I mean he's a real rookie in the series you just don't want to be in that position especially at this point of the race uh no he didn't cause the wreck but he was in a really bad spot and and he put himself in a bad spot but you live and you learn you got to learn him the hard way good news for him one stage one got 10 stage points will help minimize the damage at the end of the night about halfway home in stage two front row for the restart all guy and Cole kuster Riley hers in the 98 giv a big shove to all guy I'm going to give him the most aggressive award for the start of this race he's P pushed anything he can and tried to get down low he's been all over the place trying to make things happen got his teammate right up there with him now kuster on the bottom Custer the top that was pretty aggressive little move right there not done yet nope I don't think that hgar can he can't block both of them they go three wide outside herbs inside kuster put the double zero on point at Daytona the bla perk machine trying to get up into the lead digging on the bottom how close that side drafting is you can block two lanes but can you block three coming from behind kuster's got a whole lot going on in his rearview mirror right now kuster's experienced our champion as you talked about he knows how to manage the situation try to slide up high get that High Line lined up again like they had early and log some laps that's what this is all about see the 32 there of Jordan Anderson pushing into the back of sage Kum that was a very aggressive push they lucky to get away with that one oh that was so close yes going to have to ease up on that one look at some of the names in the top 10 you talk about bla Perkin Ryan SS up there you guys touched on Sage Ken Parker rlof Brandon Jones needs a good run after a disappointing 2023 I don't uh this is a lot it's a lot to run three wide around this racetrack we saw the cup guys do it lap after lap finally bit them you can do it for a while you just can't do it all day and this is really early in the race to be three wide Aly shoots through on the inside he's side by side with kuster now rlof in the middle somebody shoots out of line I think alar it is all guy I thought he I saw smoke I couldn't figure out what happened oh and here comes smly in the six I think he tried to side draft and just slid up too high it nice and easy got a lot of time a lot of time it's Jim Pullman the crew chief on the radio he sees that left rear tire flat he does doesn't want to cause any more damage caution number four comes out with Justin Aly running up front and he went for a a wild one here oh yeah he just tried to get up be aggressive with that side draft and it just it carried him up there just quicker than he thought I think so yeah good job though controlling that car spinning it around and keeping it off that inside wall do you expect these veterans like hallar to to you know make better decisions we're only 40 45 laps into you know 100 lap race 120 lap race not the time to be that that aggressive with that move that thing jumped up there awful quick though didn't it we have an early candidate for the save of the night I'll tell you I like it pretty good and last summer we came here and algy got his first Daytona win and he did so in convincing fashion beating Sheldon Creed by 5,000 of a second I wouldn't count him out tonight either no [Music] way let's listen to dble zero team audio here there was a piece of debris up high off too and I had to try and Dodge it and I think he expected me to be by the wall but there was a piece of debris up there cop I'll tell him so it looks like maybe Cole kuster made a little bit of a move towards the seven while he was trying to come up there in Sid draft all guy makes a pit stop he'll reset at the tail of the field kuster hers Chandler Smith retof carum the top five halfway home in stage [Music] two for for for for [Music] [Music] you know that that debris that Custer talked about we didn't see that in the first replay but you can see it laying on the racetrack right there and watch the just gentle subtle move cold makes to get away from the debris and at the same time AAR was coming up to side draft and they just uh they were zigging when they should have been zagging that's just an unfortunate situation for alar that's what caught alar off guard I think was that he didn't expect for kuster to be moving off the wall at that point zigging instead of zagin that's different than the okey DOI on the restart yeah they're similar though they're in the same family yes by the way John Hunter neek involved in that crash a while ago gets the free pass here with our fourth caution so he's back in the game it looks like they've got that car taped up pretty good Adam I believe he's going to be competitive there's the 20 for yeah decent 30 cars on the lead lap saw Jesse love back on Pit Road yeah we need a couple more pieces for Jesse's car I'm afraid Jesse's not quite as lucky how about Parker redoff right there on the front row Sage Ken Blaine Perkins Jordan Anderson Jeremy Clemens Ryan SE all in the top 10 for the restart I do love Daytona you get to see these guys that maybe don't quite have the budget to run good at every racetrack but the air the draft is a great equalizer and it pulls them together and they're able to show that they have the talent to get it done on these big tracks but Jordan Anderson racing always good when we go to Daytona or Talladega all three of their car top 15 here a year ago and the boss span running tonight he's seventh on the restart kuster up front with redlock kuster's got his teammate Riley herps right there teammates on the outside teammates on the inside isn't it great when it all works out like that I bet it wasn't by coincidence on the chws was it what about those two cars of Jordan Anderson racing driving off with the lead yeah Jeff Burton gives a big push to redoff gets him out front Jeremy Clemens now pulling around that low Lane drafting help from a Ford that's Ryan Sig behind him in the 39 Jeremy spent a lot of time on Pit Road early in the race and they've got that thing tuned up now I think there's see the damage on the right front oh no Parker to the center yeah his teammate kind of hung him out right there it's not a good place to be hung yeah we saw what happened with Jesse love when he was in the middle oh wow that was an aggressive block right there I thought Clement is going to try to slide in in front of kuster instead he and Burton both sweep down to the lower part of the track and now Clemens trapped in the middle I don't think Clemens really ever had control of that car he didn't have a choice he couldn't hang on he was just hanging on he wasn't driving look who's back up to Third on that inside Lane Austin Hill in the 21 he's a good drafter in the Indy he is excellent this kind of racing I don't know if I've seen anybody better in the ex enity Series in Austin Hill he now second behind Jeb Burton I was worried about the damage he had looks like had hurt the car any that now that shot looks like it's uh it's got some damage well you should be proud of your team that's a really good repair job usually at this point running 190 mph there's tape flying everywhere they've got a himem together pretty good right now looks okay yeah that that pit crew is is filled with some guys that are real mechanics they know how to fix a race car and do it quick got another spinner that's [Music] NE oh Josh picki 92 looks like he got the worst of that big time down image fifth caution of the evening comes out 10 to go in our second stage neem was around when we caught him on our Fox Sports cameras he had some damage it makes you wonder you know maybe he cut a tire possibly or just speculating well he's he definitely has one down right now so maybe that's what happened maybe it was a left rear and he just lost it there he is at the top of the screen we put our cone on on him our caution cone Yep looks there goes left tire yep like he did a pretty good job not to do any more damage to the car wow got lucky too oh and just contact there into the back of the 92 neek involved in that earlier crash we talked about the fact he got a lap down was able to get back on the lead lap via the free pass running 17th when he had the tire go down and now we're under caution again one thing they're going to have to do here is make sure that the the damage is cleared from that left rear don't have that many sets of tires to uh to work with here in the xinity series got four sets for the weekend and you used them for practice qualifying and the race and and fortunately you don't have to put a lot of tires on during the race but you start making a bunch because of damage and accidents like this all of the sudden you can have a short there's Josh piki limping his way back to the pit John Hunter doing the same yeah right front's down too now but that I think that was after the fact result of the spin Dawson cram in the four also got a piece to that crash nine laps to go stage two Jeb Burton showing the way Austin Hill Ryan seek Sammy Smith Cole kuster up front it's Monday night NASCAR from Dayton [Music] the e e for for Jeb Burton leading at Daytona going to be seven laps to go this time around in our second stage and he's right behind the Toyota gr Supra pace car and a pace car driver getting a bit of a workout tonight withs already I hope they have a new pace car driver from Friday night cuz we wore him out we did a record 12 cautions hey let's take a minute and salute all the men and women that make NASCAR on Fox happen these guys are heroes the this week has been outrageous because of all the rain and the long days and nights and we thought this race was going to happen this morning at 11: so everybody came in to get everything set up and ready it rains and now we're racing up to midnight it's remarkable what they do week to week everything they dealt with out in Los Angeles when it comes to the clash and all the rain there the setup the take down and everyone most of our crews going to leave here and go straight to Atlanta because we're racing on Monday night and didn't get the activities in yesterday they sacrificed their time away from their famili so we can have great coverage we thank you all and a special shout out to Karen fasing who is at home tonight one of the great leaders in our television compound I tell you when you walk in that television compound you wouldn't know that these guys that put in a 126 hour day Smiles happy thankful to be back on the job thankful to be in Dayton and doing what we love to do I was in the garage today and I had two or three crew members from the Xfinity series come to me and say hey tell everybody thank you because we know what these days are like and everybody is committed let them know how much we appreciate it yeah I can tell you everybody in the garage area appreciates the job that's done and the shots that you get I mean this amazing you know TV coverage that we get you get you don't hardly miss anything on the track good view for Jeb Burton with that Golden Corral onboard camera and right behind him Austin Hill having another productive night at Daytona boys dude that thing gets a run holy through one and two that was bad dude you look like you having some fun out there yeah that was actually pretty fun there it was fun to watch Austin is that Derek nean that's Dereck nean he's a spotter he's I'm telling you he's a he's he's a hero Spotter and Andy Street crew chief was he ch Street screw Chief this is a good good group right here they're a fun bunch of people to be around I'm back he said Andy's back too we're glad you're here right I'm back we'll go green when we come back for for [Music] Dayton International Speedway open for business 1959 looks a little different now NASCAR xinity series start coming here 1982 Racing for the 65th time tonight here at the world center of racing and it doesn't matter when you come here if there's competition on track it's worth watching what a beautiful RAC track especially at night it just never gets old when when it comes time to head to Daytona Andy I don't know if you feel the same way but it takes me back to my childhood when I came through that tunnel the first time and come to this racetrack that's I still get that feeling I do too and other drivers and crew guys are like yes that's exactly what happens to me Mike amazing nothing like Daytona I was disappointed when we didn't get to run this morning at 11:00 it's been a long week here no doubt about it but the reality is it was no problem to get fired up to jump up in the booth and do this race even though we're doing a little exfinity after dark Regan Adam the 26 is Sage carum having a good run to start his night off here keep in mind he's actually finished fifth at Daytona in his only previous start back in 2022 right now quite on the radio it's been a lot of the spotter teaching him who to get with on the racetrack who he needs to be trying to draft with and who to learn from why he's out there right now he has been impressive no doubt about it just got to reports uh Dawson cran was released from the infield Care Center he was involved in that last accident Dawson's a good kids getting to drive for JD Motorsports fulltime that's right so Austin Hill lined up on the front row he's got all that tape on the nose he's been able to draft his all the way to the front at least to Second get the lead let's just see how good it how you know how how aerodynamic it is I was going to ask your expertise Andy is that car capable of pulling this field around here is it aerodynamically sound can I get back to you here in about a la had a one laap shootout to end stage one going to be four to go when we return to the green flag here in stage two a pair of Chevys on the front row Jeb Burton and Austin Hill [Music] [Music] [Music] Ryan SE with a nice push in that [Music] 39 Samy Smith drove through the grass and we had that caution earlier in the race no damage no harm no foul the driver from Iowa making his presence known first year at Junior Motorsports after winning last year as a rookie at Joe Gibbs Racing he's in that number eight and up the middle sh Creed he's going for the lead right there through the middle and look at Austin Hill he's able to pull ahead that Chevy might be fine Andy so far so good he's going to have to do a little blocking here oh man that's so three to go in the stage looking at to jump out in front of his old teammate Sheldon Creed who's now at Joe Gibbs Racing drive in that 18 tough to bottom on Entry 18 still Clos to you eight closest to you now how much do you block that's Derek nean Up on the Roof spotting for Austin Hill he he does such a good job of knowing where their energy is and where it's coming from and how to get it to the driver when he can use it I like those half blocks he just wandered up the middle of the RAC trck to kind of try to slow down Creed's momentum and then right back down to the bottom I'll say this Michael you were one of the best at doing this kind of racing back when you were driving and uh I see a lot of those moves look like you kind of pioneered some of those half blocks yes there's a few things I see that make me smile out there and that's one of them you don't want to go all the way up you don't have to and that was a great move textbook there by Austin hill almost like a a shot fake in basketball right get them off their feet two laps to go in the stage this is impressive with what Austin Hills accomplished after being backwards on the back straightway and he's like that's it it's over yeah not so fast he still got some work to do a lot of work to do he's side by side for the lead Creed's doing a great job because until now there hadn't been a lot of help from behind SE though getting up on that back bumper trying to give him a shove yeah now that outside Lane is starting to get organized and now you'll see some energy come from you know from behind Sheldon Creed it's going to be hard to yeah it's going to be hard for Austin Hill to block that can't get there Sammy Smith's got a fast car though and he's really oh look at that I don't like this he's hanging on final lap stage two and they're dancing side by side in the draft Easy Does It guys we need to make it to the end of this stage so we have a chance to win this thing look at that tight pack off turn two Ryan Trux is in there Chandler Smith Brandon Jones Aly was there looks like he might want to slide out a little bit I don't like the looks of that line I think that's going to be enough to get Hill to win he lost the opening stage by inches to his teammate Jesse Love Austin Hill trying to hang on and win stage two that's a nice block right there just he's going to do it that was that was a good job for Austin Hill that was awesome he's been a stage winning machine on drafting tracks leads a bunch of laps every time we come here and despite the damage the 21 has got plenty of speed and the guy behind the wheel he not bad either Hill gets it done Sammy Smith Creed kuster SE the top five third stage win at Daytona for Austin [Music] Hill a for e love teammate up front Hill on the inside Sheldon Creed on the outside Sheldon Creed gets into the back of Austin Hill he shoves Hill up the banking here they come final time into three Sheldon cream to the bottom he'll take the lead he drifts High here comesy the we goes to Justin Aly by inches he's going to be mad but it's for a championship four spot and I want to fight for my guys all the way to the end I cannot wait for him to get out of RCR I don't have to put up with it old friends reunited at the end of that last stage how was the competition meeting that next week at R was a little emotional that night uh by everybody include myself but it was uh it was disappointing you know it looked like one of our cars at least was going to make it to the final race and race for a championship and that last corner just kind of ruined it all they were racing hard beating and banging and it not actually knocked the bumper the that's behind the nose into the tire of the two car and he wasn't able to turn the wheel when he got down in the corner and it kind of just messed everybody up and let the Justin allar sneak in there for the win that's short track racing that was a great finish though you take you take those trips to Martinsville pretty seriously we talk about how special it is to win at Daytona another pretty special thing that accomplish as a win at Martinville getting that grandfather clock and you could tell those guys were just really passionate about battling it all the way to Checker and didn't care if their teammates or not look where Justin algy finished the stage came back got points finished eight that's impressive after that little 180 mph pouette down the back straightway little luck involved in that one a lot bad luck at first and good luck when he survived it and I said this earlier but if you can get stage points here it just makes your life so much better at the end of the evening because there's no guarantees you're going to see the checker flag here we just absolutely believe that there's going to be some cautions in the final stage that could eliminate you and take away your finish at the end of the night so if you can put some points in the bank that makes life a whole lot better when you exit Daytona here's the stage Point breakdown pit stops into stage two Regan Adam Austin Hill continuing to be very strong right now even after after the incident earlier on as he slides through his pit box right here that's going to be a little bit of a problem cost him some time right now the race car is just bottoming out and turns one and two too much has trouble taking a push as good as he wants and Sheldon Creed very good as well he didn't want any changes he just needs more help from the pushers that are behind him Josh for the eight of Samy Smith finishing second in stage number two happy with that car said it was good and stable no adjustments for them moving on to the double zero of Cole kuster he said he likes the car if you make any adjustments make it a little Freer they gave him two right side tires thank you fellas whole lot to break down when it comes to those pit stops we'll set you up for the final stage at Daytona when we come back on FS1 he is [Music] for for e we could easily get a penal I don't know what the hell's up with me mentally but I left in third on the way in all right looked like we were going a buck 20 so I'll let you know I I'd say that's a fair estimate and watch him trying to stop it when he gets there too much speed can't stop in the pit box but what they're they're they're shooting for an RPM number on the tack and there's lights to indicate when they are in that zone uh of that speed and he had it in third gear instead of second gear second is the is the gear that they're you know they set that RPM Target too much speed not enough uh not enough break action there you saw in the graphic two penalties one the speeding obviously and the safety violation for the way he got into his pit box this could be a we've had a major turn of events when it comes to RCR the penalties for Austin Hill who's going to drop to the back and we'll get more on that in just a second with Regan and Jesse love who had pitted at lap 55 stays out here he stayed on the lead lap and he is going to be the race leader we'll follow up on that in a second now down to rean well Adam the only bright spot to what just happened to Austin Hill there with the speeding down Pit Road and overshooting the box he wanted four tires on this Pit Stop he felt like as it came down to it at the end of the race he'd be able to take a better push be able to lead better out front he felt like that was the play he wanted as we continue on right here crew chief Andy Street before they pitted told him basically to you know shut up and drive I'm going to give you two tires and that's all you're going to get tonight well he got his four tires cuz they came back down and put the other two on just now yep that's one way to get him yeah exactly how he planned now I don't understand this move look at the two car you know we talked about the bit of a damage that the 21 had to it the nice job they did you can't put a new Fender on and he doesn't have a right front fender yeah I'm not sure this is going to work out as good as it did for Austin Hill this this is going to be a mess I mean he's going we'll see we don't know yet all right this could be a how about that it could be this could be that's that's what you're as an announcer that's what let's hope it's not but it could be we rode him off and and I would say rightfully so given the damage and how sensitive these cars are to Arrow at this place but here he is I was kind of surprised he was able to stay on the lead lout or in the race even yeah even in the race yeah it looked like he got so much damage it might knock him out but here he is he goes outside Lane Sammy Smith inside of him and a couple of players to update Scott Shane Van gisbergen is inside the top 10 he had been involved in a crash had damage got a free pass and he's going to restart in the top 10 and John Hunter neek got another free pass so he is back on the lead lead lap 28 cars on the lead lap as we begin the final stage going to be 54 to go Brandon Jones doesn't really have much of a choice but to try to push he love right here he probably knows that there's a lot of damage on that car and he's probably not going to be as fast as he needs to be be surprised if they don't kind of shook him out of line [Music] here look at that big push PO kuster on the back of [Music] ay I'm amazed at that too having that kind of pace yeah I think he is though he's holding that outside Lane up some he is is that but that must be a really strong ECR engine under the hood blowing that thing through the air I just hope that outside line stays patient if he starts to lose Pace like he's starting to Surge actually back forward a bit Danny Stockman's calling a heck of a race with this decision that's that's bold hey and you talk about Danny Stockman got a great hit history in the NASCARs Infinity Series he was with Austin Dylan when he won Rookie of the Year and the very next year won the championship they got him shcked now yeah they finally figured out a way around him it's alond the 16 might yeah might be a good position for Jesse love too just to get be able to tuck in behind some of these other cars where he doesn't expose all that damage it'll it'll run fifth or six in line perfectly fine with somebody ahead and somebody behind so and this is another chance for Jesse just to learn more rookie at this place in thein series just getting his legs under him here's a great story Sammy Smith leading this race his pit crew pitted the car of the 24 William Byron earlier tonight and led him to victory in the Daytona 500 they celebrate they take the pictures and they come over and now they're working on the exfinity side trying to sweep the evening Sheldon Creed wants to the bottom little bit of a push on almond Dinger there and look at all the mess behind him almond Dinger to the lead this is wild [Music] racing the back and forth at the front had seven different leaders tonight alond Dinger LED three laps Samy Smith four and he's back out in front front that inside Lane Riley herps bringing it outside with help from his four teammate Ryan [Music] SE look at how tight these things are AJ's really working over that back bumper of the eight of Sammy Smith cars just don't look very stable you know they take those little bumps and pushes they're just kind of all over the place so right there you see the leader Samy Smith just all he can do to hold that thing straight it's good thing he's got almond Dinger behind him he's got a lot of experience and kind of knows how these cars act in the draft Justin Aly in the ninth position fourth in line in the outside Lane we are in a bad spot buddy I know it I don't know where to go though spotter Eddie Dean the veteran up on the roof that's not what you want to hear as a driver I agree with you Justin we are so let's just hang on to it and see what happens you want your spotter to talk you off the ledge a little bit right you just don't want to be in these you know you can see when you're in that spot you're in a real vulnerable place because you're not in a place to be able to avoid a wreck if it happens in front of you and you're right in the middle of it I always like logging laps during this time of the race down on the bottom felt like there was just room to get over to the left you know if something did go wrong stuff goes up the hill but sometimes you don't have a choice you just have to yeah there's no holes there's no gaps to be able to get in right there got to ride it out here I would throw this out there too 49 laps to go in this race it's right around 45 to go when that window opens up to make your final pit stop and be able to go the distance you want to make sure you get on Pit Road at the right time so you establish that track position for the stretch run strategy something we'll keep an eye on you expect some of these manufacturers to sick together the Chevys will probably pit together they they seem to have the numbers to be able to do that and if you do it under green Michael give us a sense of how difficult that is at Daytona man I'm telling you Adam it's rough over there off turn four when you want to go low but I tell you the mistake I see made you've got to go far left as you can run wide open off turn four and then take a left get over toward this inside of this track as far as you can so you don't get hit from behind if they do Pit you won't miss it we're going side by side 48 remaining at Daytona Samy Smith up front with AJ almond Dinger and Riley herps making a play in the outside [Music] Lane [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] green flag pit stops underway would be the final stop of the night some Chevrolets made their way down the pit Lane while we were away and here comes some more here comes the next round I kind of like pot pitting in these small packs you can get to Pit Road cleaner you don't have traffic getting there and I think this is a nice size pack to come to Pit Road yeah this is a good siiz pack you don't want to be like I said one or two three cars you're going to lose too much time Josh yeah and Sammy Smith coming up to get topped off with fuel strong run so far for the eight as he's in the pit box and uh good to go for the eight guys you know it's another thing to think about are those four tires on the 21 we know his tires are fresher he wants to be aggressive he can push Better Block better keep that in mind as we tick down toward 10 to go in this race all this is cycled around Riley Herpst is the race leader and you look up next to our pylon top left of your screen you can see where everybody is running on track Jeb Burton Brandon Jones Justin Al guy making pit stops with 43 to go they come down and there are many others following him onto the pit Lane some folks might subscribe the theory of running a little bit longer so you can spend less time on Pit Road what are they thinking down there Regan well Michael the 26 is Sage car I mentioned earlier learning the draft now learning green flag pit stops doing a nice job getting on the Pit Road to get fuel Josh and for the nine of Brandon Jones strong run to start the season coming off a disappointing year for him looking for a statement in the first race as he tops off of [Music] fuel these are scheduled green flag pit stops Riley herps continues to lead he's up in front of his teammate Cole kuster John Hunter neek involved in a crash early tonight has been a lap down on two different occasions in fact not only did he get caught up in a crash he had a tire go down spun out but here he is in this lead draft as we set through this cycle of green flag pit stops you got to give it up for that Crew He had a he had damage so he had a flat tire and spun out they were able toare that damage and now he's running in this lead pack great job by the team yeah they've got it fixed good enough now that they're not going to cut that left rear in a good spot these are the Fords and Toyotas running together Joe Gibbs Racing is not one here at Daytona since 2013 Matt kenith got it done a fourcc car operation this year and they're all together in the draft top 10 haven't pitted yet expect them to pull on the Pit Road anytime now but what you have to think about Adam is like I was saying before we went to the pit pit Pit Road these guys running longer means less time on Pit Road they can put less fuel in will that translate to track position when they've made their stops right your screen Brandon Jones and Justin algy they have made their pit stops so the big equation is going to be once the drivers on your left those that are yet to come once they Pit Where do they cycle back in with the nine and seven who are leading those that have already made a stop well they've got they've got a bigger pack so I think they're going to be going faster than the N9 and seven and then they're going to spend less time on Pit Road I think the nine and seven are sitting ducks and they got a big group of cars coming from behind here they come 41 to go most of those drivers coming down Pit Road a couple stay out look like Creed and Truex going to stay on track looks like the Toyotas are going to go long here at least two of them are R rean Adam the 98 of Riley herbs it's going to be a quick stop for fuel here they were specific do not slide the tires we don't want to have to change them Josh for Cole kuster well aware that shr has never won a NASCAR Infinity race at a super speedway a goal his to change that today on hopefully his final stop for fuel guys earlier tonight William Byron the 24 team elected to run long that got them the track position they needed ultimately put them in position to go out and win the Daytona 500 as things cycle through Creed and TRX have not made a pit stop yet but this is the lead group you're looking at right here and what a good Bunch we have together in the draft Here Comes Tre Creed and TRX to Pit Road and what a battle we got on the racetrack these guys are coming up to speed like I said run long less time on Pit Road can they have the speed to hold off this charging pack be interesting to see just where they blend in these cars that just came off Pit Road with this pack so I said that's the lead group that that's the lead group when you talk about a big pack but the lead cars right now of those that have made pit stops herps and Custer Natalie Decker's running long Ryan Ellis they're leading the race right now but that's just a matter of time you see this right here with herps and kuster they they just got too much of a lead there's only two cars you're going to have a big train coming at them with a lot of momentum here before too long there's the Toyotas that that'll help that'll get so those four be back together this is going to get wild in about a lap the merge through a cycle of green flag pit stops is always crazy at Daytona and Talladega but this is where the race is won and lost these guys don't have blinkers they're going to merge any which way they want to whatever they think's the best advantage to them and there the cars yet to make a pit stop Decker Ellis smithley and this is the mess wow looks like Creed lost his lost his position up front give a call to Natalie Decker leading laps for the first time in her career she did finish top five at Daytona and the Craftsman truck series a handful of years ago best finish ever by a woman here at Daytona it's getting ready to get really good because you got kuster and Herpst out there and TR X and Burton and neim and Sig and the rest of the group is running them down in a hurry they're going to have to try to block as best they can but that's when things get dicey this this this backpack has a few miles an hour speed over top of them just that big draft is running faster and they're sitting up there waiting for these guys to pounce where do they go how do they block Decker yet to pit Midway down the back straightway and this is what's happening from fourth on back just too much momentum to try to hold that off oh oh her tried to BL block TRX couldn't do it that usually doesn't work well Toyota's firing ing through up high it's TR X down low it's Chandler Smith herps coming back strong on the middle and he's got his teammate right behind him that's Cole kuster of the dble Z look at this pack that's about as good as it could have worked out for the 98 zero I mean isn't that great how they all just merged together and it it looked like it was choreographed but it was far from it this group showing fourth on back in the scoring pylon but this will be the battle for the lead when those others come to Pit Road 36 to [Music] go Natalie Decker pulling him along find Ellis Garrett smithley there leading this race at Daytona that's pretty special they've got quite a bit of fuel in the tank they can do this for a while they're going to be running a lot slower than this pack and so once they do make their stop they're going to be behind but but they're going to be running much safer too that pack definitely safer that pack looks like it could uh come apart in a hurry the way they're battling by the way Anthony Alfredo a part of that mix he is a lap down the one thing I I wanted to say though once they pit and they come back out there's a really good shot that other group is going to get too aggressive we could have an accident and these cars that are yet to make a pit stop could very well put themselves in position for a great finish we'll wait and see how it plays out but I like the strategy I like it a lot you see alar he didn't like the position he was in earlier I I really don't like the one he's in right now he's right in the middle of this this is a he found the way out [Music] though Jeb Burton in that orange car just ahead of allar and we're looking out his bumper from his Golden Growl camera and then Sheldon Creed right in the middle of the [Music] pack give a call to Leland Honeyman up there in that group Drive of the 42 for Young's Motorsports he's a rookie driver that is a rookie team and they're in the lead pack late at Daytona 34 to go I don't know Andy if I'm back at the end of that pack and seeing what I'm seeing I don't know that I can go up through there I might just fall back you know that's exactly what Kyle Busch did in the Cup race he he found himself in that spot after we made that last pit stop and he said hey there's no way we're not going to have another wreck I'm going to get out of here well and I think if I'm riding at the back of that pack I'm going to just say well you know I'm not going anywhere drop out of there as you see Ryan Ellis takes the lead give a call to Ryan Ellis he's done so many great things in a sport of NASCAR was a PR man but wanted to drive stuck with it running fulltime this this year in that 43 for Tommy Joe Martin Caesar Barella Alpha Prime racing and he's leading at Daytona what a dream it must be for him and his family his dad's a local here in Central Florida saw him in the garage yesterday happy for all involved now nice little story there with Ellis lead this race we got a storm brewing right here and now we got a mess on the back Chandler Smith in the 81 pushing Riley Herpst in the 98 two aggressive Young drivers full of talent sparks flying it's time to race this is fun isn't it I'm not sure I can take it for 32 more laps you're going to get a break in a minute Adam yeah unfortunately I think you might be right Michael these guys are just so aggressive you got to be if you're going to win but like you said Kyle bus the veteran he is he said I don't like the looks of this bailed and it paid off yeah he had backed up to like 27th and if you know if they didn't have a wreck he was not going to get a good finish but uh he was able to avoid that big wreck by doing that it's crazy to to me that there's three fors at the front there's only six of them in the field tonight pretty strong tonight right in the middle of that pack the middle is Austin Hill he's fought his Chevrolet back up to the front and he's got those four fresh tires man that was dicey was that TR X all over the place TR X in the 19 outside Lane older brother martin a NASCAR champion made his 20th start in the Daytona 500 earlier tonight on Fox in one of the Great Moments of 2023 when Ryan got his first career win in an exfinity car at Dover and a couple of days later his brother won the cup race their dad was there to watch it all look out at the front of the field Big Move by Ryan SE in the 39 to jump to the front now you got three forwards in that outside Lane keep your eye on the Chevy in the middle there Austin Hill he's just hanging right there lap after lap gaining a little bit of ground on the leaders meanwhile this group continues to show one two three they're yet to make their final Pit Stop of the night Ry Herb's taking the lead here easily that car strong strong this is the battle on the right for the win the cars on the left are stretching their fuel leading this race and they're in a really safe place right now leading with not a lot of action eventually they'll have to come to Pit Road but if there's a caution beforehand they're going to be leaders yeah they're sitting there in this nice old safe single line these other guys are duking it out look at Hill that's just an amazing push right up the middle too can he finish the deal this three wide is out of control three wide five or six rows deep the level of concentration is amazing and skill I tell you these guys are these guys are really good at what they're do just trying to run that close together that you know they know that they need to be at the head of this line whenever th those leaders make their Pit Stop they feel like this is their race for track position to be in the right spot when it does come down to those last what handful of laps oh Lord oh that was that is scary looking huge block Ryan Sea's got a fast forward too he does have a fast car that 39 right up the middle Austin thought he needed to get to the bottom it didn't work out Ellis smithley and Decker can probably go another 10 15 Laps on fuel before they would have to make a pit stop everybody else short pitted make sure they had that track position and those that have made pit stops racing from fourth on back you see them here in the pack this is crazy yeah this Pack's about 23 seconds behind those leaders that are running single fou this is synchronized driving you can't imagine W I don't know how they've survived this long I don't I can't explain the folks at home how difficult this is 185 90 mph with the wind buffeting all over you got to be on top of your game and these guys are Hills back to the [Music] front Ryan se's been throwing a lot of real close blocks I hope he I hope he's he's knows what he's doing there because that's uh that's getting a little close it's like the everybody on the left's playing nice yeah I say there's two schools of thought when you talk about strategy and approach to racing tonight right let's go single file let's keep our nose clean or we can go three wide and dance in the [Music] draft you just can't imagine that these guys could continue to race three wide that aggressively and not get into one another but they're doing an amazing job of that they're starting to sort it out just a little bit here they're still three wide in a few rows but not all the way through the field wouldn't you like to know what sh Shane gisbergen is thinking right now like he's raced rally he's raced everything supercars all over the world I bet he's never seen anything quite like this but you know what when the others pit he'll be in the top 10 if we reset right now yeah he's right there with him and he was a lap down earlier tonight got the free pass and finds himself right where he needs to be another guy in that same boat John Hunter neek he's fighting his way up toward the top 10 after a couple of spins twice he's been a lap down [Music] will step aside 25 laps to go at Daytona Ryan Ellis [Music] leading [Music] under caution for the sth time tonight this time courtesy of Jeb Burton and we felt like Jeb Burton was running eighth in that big pack when things got away from him seventh caution of the night and he's going to be able to work his way out of that wet grass looks like he might get stuck down there you saw when we were side by side he just got lifted somebody got him in the back whether he tried to close a hole or what just turned around luckily kept it off that inside wall he'll get him some tires and try to get back in this battle caution number seven that opens the door for Ellis smithley and Decker to come down get their pit service under caution the problem they're going to have is that nobody else is going to pit they've already made their last stops and they'll have to line up behind them let's see if we can tell what happens to the 27 he's getting ready to be the caution and it's because of Shane trying to get in a hole that wasn't there not there at all see jff Burton's lucky to get away with not getting any damage there lucky lucky and also did you see he had his foot on the floorboard too when he was sliding toward the wall keeping those tires spinning keeping him out of that wall that's good driving we've seen some really really good saves tonight the buffet is open let's do the golden cral on board camera ah such a helpless feeling when that happens to you he didn't quit driving it though no he didn't he kept driving through that grass able to get her head in the right direction get him some tires Jeb's dad Ward won the Daytona 500 2002 one year after and one year before my man Michael [Music] walri look at those eyes yeah he's looking trying to find a place to go that's a cool shot I want to go back to something you said [Music] Andy now on board with Austin Hill look how fast that happens Shane Van gbur and just just oh Shane goes first a did I didn't see that I didn't either I wondered because I I thought man he's got to be top five and then I I top 10 at least and then I looked up and saw he wasn't there that's the reason why and he kept it out of the traffic look at this save wow talking about how good a save Jeff Burton made this one even better you don't do that in supercars 81 Supercar wins three championships what a beautiful save there for Shane we'll take a break and reset going to be right around 20 laps to go when we return to the green flag here at [Music] Daytona for for for that [Music] going to be a wild finish for the NASCAR Infinity Series at Daytona pit stops for the leaders they're finally giving it up and getting their service rean well definitely some cars that were happy that that caution came out at them they will not have to make a green flag stop the 43 Ryan L's it's going to be a simple stop for him the main thing they told him is to make sure no other car were coming in when he got ready to leave so they don't damage that car because they got potential for a good run and the 36 of Natalie Decker she was extremely happy when the yellow came out really pumping up her crew and telling him great job on the calls I like those calls it gave him a shot it gave him a shot to stay out of the big mess if there was one it gave them a shot to get their sponsors on TV they're leading at Daytona that's pretty cool stuff they're right here in the middle of it with 20 to go a few other drivers from that lead pack came down Pit Road as well Natalie Decker leading seven laps tonight congratulations on that and congratulations as well on the fact she got married in the off seon Jeb Burton brings out the [Music] caution that I am uh excited about what's next two unpredictable races to start the year for the NASCAR xinity series in 5 days we'll be racing at Atlanta Motor Speedway round two part of a NASCAR double header will be the backside of a double header again only this time it'll be with the Craftsman Truck Series coverage starts Saturday at 4:00 Eastern Time on FS1 Regan Adam the complexity of this race has just changed dramatically the 21 of Austin Hill hitting Pit Road radio to the team he thought he had an issue with a tire they decided to go ahead and pit because something fell off to him and it was a good call as soon as he got to the pit box crew chief said the left rear looks like it was down they're checking over the rest of the car he's come from the back to the front a couple times tonight we're going to get to see it again potentially here it's been some good TV rean this cat get your popcorn ready right Michael this cat has been Wheeling it right up the middle to the front fun to watch he's got his four tires he wanted again again he goes about getting them in a different way doesn't he see our top 10 there give a shout out to Daniel die he's a truck regular making this xinity start has a top 10 run going Ryan SE leading this race late at Daytona and that's a fast forward too he's done a good job of holding his own up there he made a lot of moves to get that lead sa carum in sixth place a lot of good stories up in the top 10 even after those even after that caution did have some penalties on Pit Road for Decker Ellis and Blaine Perkins but they had made those pit stops not many pitted so dropping to the rear for this restart shouldn't be an enormous loss of track position celebrate the guy out front Ryan SE takes over the race lead journeyman in the NASCAR exfinity series has never won one of these races he's been close so many times and uh you and I said it how how many times Michael the party the celebration is going to be incredible when he finally gets it done well his father is down in the pits right now cheering his young son on and pulling for this team to get that Victory because like you said you see what he's doing tonight he's got the ability to go to Victory Lane and this is a family-owned team and just does a great job behind the wheel yeah that family puts their heart and soul into this it'd be uh it'd be nice to see it would be cool let's get an Austin Hill radio update after the Pit Road situation when they came down made the stop good job feeling that there man we would have never made it to the end of the race if you stayed out there and went green so we at least still have a fight chance doing this way what do we do now Andy do we charge from the word go we only got 20 laps to go that's the only thing you can do right now Jeb Burton had that spin that brought out the caution he did lose a lap he's 28th free pass went to Patrick emmerling he's back on the lead lap 27 cars going to be on thead lead lap here Michael said it we're inside of 20 laps to go going to be 18 remaining when we return to the green flag and they're going to be 18 of the most intense laps of the day and I say that um reluctantly because they've been pretty intense already like the thing has been just so competitive three wide most of the way a lot of great racing look what's happened here on the restart manufacturer teammates working together as Riley herps takes that outside Lane going behind Ryan SE and a couple of those Joe Gibbs Toyotas on the inside Chandler Smith in front of Ryan TRX three Fords yeah Cole kuster there as well strung out on the outside how about AJ almond Dinger having a day sixth in the Daytona 500 coming back to the exfinity series full time and he's got a real shot to make a play here I'll be surprised if he doesn't have something to say about who wins this race colleague racing has 23 wins all time 15 of those courtesy of AJ almond Dinger not only is he a great driver he's a great spirit always fun to be around and and he wins the race now you can you can tell he's happy he's passionate about what he does he's a dad now too congratulations on that that's right got another mouth feed you better get going big push in the outside Lane for those fours those things have some steam under the hood don't want to get too far out in front of the pack yeah they broken apart yeah this can work against you to get that far out a nice job of sliding up sliding up and taking that line now what do we do well we go for it Riley herp sliding to the inside look like a little side raft there off of Ryan SE and debris on track we've got our eighth caution and we got more than than debris look at this Jeb Burton again straight [Music] here good just got r ah Leeland Honeyman been a solid day for that Young's Motorsports rookie but it looks like he's done over and then then gb's got damage more damage still rolling though Garrett smithley he's been through a lot tonight and the car shows it all right let's go Jerry memens he's been through a lot tonight if the shoe fits right oh look at that look like Parker redoff and Jeremy Clemens were arguing over [Music] space and Honeyman got the worst of the deal we've seen that a handful of times tonight where it's just I mean we're talking about no more than a foot or so that these guys could cut cut each other a break and not cause these but uh we've had quite a few cautions because of it well if you're going to cut someone a break uh you're not doing it anymore you're just going to race hard remember Austin Hill was back there look at that I me yeah we're talking about you know less than 6 in but ratoff would not let him have that 6 in and was able just to drive through [Music] it riding with [Music] jetber let's look into his eyes that was such a great shot of him earlier when he was out of control [Music] Jeff just can't catch a break tonight can he he's had a good car the unfortunate thing he had gone a lap down so a caution would have put him in line for the free pass unfortunately he's a part of the caution and therefore does not [Music] qualify honeyman's car on the hook Burton back on Pit Road Smith Le in as well the colleag guys are trying to get Shane van gisbergen back out here see if he can get a finish out of this if you go back to the beginning portion of this race Suarez gets knocked out and all the other CAG cars were involved in that other accident that that we had early and they've done a good job of staying in the game when you talk about alond Dinger we mentioned Daniel D Shane Van guren's done a nice job so they might have something to show for tonight even though they've been banged up go through a roll roll or two a tap oh absolutely might add to that budget line item as we moved to Atlanta going to be inside of 15 laps to go when we go back to the green flag at Daytona [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] I want to introduce you to someone that has sold tickets at the Dayton International Raceway since it opened in 1959 and before that she even sold tickets to the beach races with Betty Jane France she's so famous they even Nam the ticket office after her let's go meet Wanita lightning epton hello it's Michael I'm here everything can start then that's right we can go I got to I got to ask you a question okay 103 years old what what is your key I guess it's the Lord I go to and from work every day that is incredible I don't feel bad I can hardly wait to get here what are some of the favorite memories you have from this job selling tickets down on the beach and seeing the cars come off of the ocean front onto the pavement the expression in in the faces was amazing you couldn't help but be part of it what did it feel like when they said we're going to name the ticket office after you lightning I almost fainted I felt so honored to think that they cared enough about me to name the office for me but I've always wondered and I don't think I've ever asked you how did you get the nickname lightning my husband gave it to me he said he never knew when or where I'd strike and I struck for 62 years and then I have just one one last question I I kind of need a couple of tickets I heard it sold out do you have any in your drawer there no yeah you run a tight ship you have [Music] to well done great it just warms my heart she's a sweetheart oh she's her spirit is amazing we spent a couple of uh days together here in Daytona and I've been visiting her over in the ticket office for a few years now we've become buddies you're just trying to butter her up to get some tickets for come back next year maybe she can slide me a couple but uh I'm guessing no I no she's she loves her job and she just loves this Racetrack and look at that sweet lady a legend lightning 103 years old Wanita epon still going to work every day MH so here we are hey inside of 15 laps to go it's getting good under we still working too yeah we are we're we're closing on two days in a row at at the racetrack what do we anticipate here what are we watching I've just been watching Ryan SE with that fast forward but with the aggressive Blocks he's making and now you know can he continue to get away with those blocks we know how tough it's going to be to do just that and then herps he's another driver right there up front that's been really really aggressive yeah I like Riley herps position here and I'm I'm like you with with Sig I'm just all these blocks that he's made have been so close to being a problem I just you know as it gets more intense here he might not get away with it you know what I love Adam we talked about all the Chevys in the race and the Chevys on the front row we got three Fords that are pretty much taking up M the front of the pack here lately with Cole kuster joining those two on the front row so uh it'll be interested to see if the Fords can hang on or who wins this race Chevy's won 12 of the last 13 and it's all because of what we've talked about the strength in numbers but the only non Chevy to win when you talk about the last seven or so years for the Xfinity cars at Daytona was a Ford Austin sendrick got it done went on to win the champion ship so he's he's quite the player is Austin cind they've added a lap here for debris a lot of these cars are running around with tape all over them and some of the panels flapping in the breeze and I say some of it has U come off one of the car you think we're going to finish this race on Monday no I well oh we got 30 minutes yeah we'll get it done it's it's Monday now we're you mean I I thought you meant we're going to bleed into Tuesday is what you were hitting now that's I think we I really think we got a shot to do that I think so too let's hope not there's going to be a lot of pushing and shoving over these next 12 laps when we go green I guess we just could leave here and go to Atlanta can I ride with you yeah sure why not I brought my Airstream by the way when Austin syndric won here 2021 he was the reigning champ so he won it in 20 got the title came here to Daytona and got that victory for Ford in the Infinity Series Daytona and Austin syri go well together and look at this and Cole kuster's been big time when it comes to an exfinity car 13 career wins but the rest of the top five hadn't experienced a whole lot of Victories Chandler Smith got one last year at Richmond we talked about Riley herbs last fall at Las Vegas it's funny I called kuster this morning and said what do you expect buddy and he started started deep in the pack and he said I'm going to chill at first but I I feel like we'll surface at the front well he was spot on he tends to do that he winds up up front when it counts Austin Hills got a lot of cars in front of him well flat tire good call by him to get to Pit Road we'll see if he can another car to watch is John Hunter n he's stuck back there but he's come to the front a couple of times maybe those two cars can get together 25 cars on the lead lap going to restart with 12 to go there's nean he looks like he's racing Martin doesn't he there's a handful of them that do yes sir cerman there one of the pre-race favorites started inside the top five caught up in that early accident stayed in the game but they're two laps down Sheldon Creed Roden in the 10th position you think that he thinks this place owes him one when you consider how it finished here last August just barely got beat by inches Justin Aly edged him we're adding the lap again well lights are on yep got to report some debris in turn [Music] two it's been a busy week weekend and few days for sure when it comes to Daytona and everything we've experienced this was the big one end of the the Great American race earlier tonight on Fox and William Barron was in the big one got a little push from behind shot him into another car and the way they went barely missed that one got to the line just in time that was tight that was very close Daytona 500 champion and you're talking about feet the difference between the caution being out before he takes the white but because he had taken the White Flag caution comes out the race is official Byron leading and he gets to celebrate his first win of the Daytona 500 and what a year ahead it's going to be for hendrik Motorsports celebrating 40 years in all they have meant to the history of NASCAR Williams a young man out of Charlotte North Carolina that talked his dad bill into taking him to the races in Charlotte Martinsville watching from the grand stands and there's the 24 that will go down in history as one of the greatest numbers ever in NASCAR William just adding to Jeff Gordon's Legacy with that [Music] number hey looks like the lights are off on the pace car now let's do it see how this shakes out two forward out fromont Ryan seag Riley herst a Toyota and a Ford behind them Sage Kum Cole kuster the rest of the top 10 Sammy Smith Chandler Smith almond Dinger Jones Creed and [Music] Trux 11 to go in the season opener [Music] Samy Smith pulls out of line in the eight nobody goes with him though this is going to cost him dearly thought maybe Justin algar would jump up there his teammate he does not Smith going in the wrong direction can see how important that draft is he pulled out thought somebody to go with him and just dropped to the back there still a lot of time left still more than 10 laps to go teammates in that inside Lane Cole kuster white red and black dble zero pushing the 98 of Riley herst what about Sage carum what a run for that young man hanging tough Sheldon Creed kind of leading that third lane up on the outside he's trying to make it happen is he he's trying to and he's got some help 10 to go don't forget about this guy we've seen him drop through the field more than once tonight and look at this run up the middle he's just got a nose for the lead pushing Jordan Anderson in that red white and black number 32 the Seas a parted here they come kuster making a move to the outside of Ryan seag and we understand the 98 of Riley Herbst going to be penalized for a restart violation laying back on the restart well that's going to be really costly that was close yeah you can't do that NASCAR really looks down on this when you lay back and try to get a little bit of a run and go at it they don't like that they've warned these guys about it many many times so they don't they don't give you a warning anymore they just they penalize you well I'm really worried about this 98 car getting off the racetrack to serve this penalty well he's down on the bottom here if he's gives a a good hand signal here he might be able to get out of the way this this is going to be really tough to pull off just watch here's your push his teammate slapped the wall and there goes Sage carum miss another crash at Daytona Justin Aly hopping through the grass what a mess is Right Andy two of our top guys that'll be running for the championship in in that was that Austin there's Daniel Dy such a good night going great run all night long Ken went hard in the outside wall yeah he looks like he might be done caution number nine see a lot of damage to the front of kuster's car slitter looks like it's gone now that's that's not going to be good for him damage for the 44 Bren pool yeah the Seven's not too bad they can probably patch this one up you know this works out big for Riley herbs because he was going to have to do a pass through penalty if we stay green he's done now you get the caution he starts at the rear on the next restart with a bunch of good drivers eliminated don't ride him off just yet and like Michael said it was going to be difficult for him to get out of that pack on the Pit Road to make that that stop for the penalty so he got lucky looks like Daniel D stuck in the mud over there on the back didn't look like a ton of damage to that 10 car as you see the serious issues with the double zero figure out some way to get some air to the engine too and and look at look at our scoring pylon I mean Herpst is shown up there he'll have to serve the penalty but Jordan Anderson part time right he's the boss and and he comes here his father-in-law Larry McReynolds our colleague Fox is going to be his crew chief unfortunately Larry can't crew chief the car because he had to go back to the studio and work the Daytona 500 and here Jordan is right at the front with a real opportunity to get his first career Victory but that's Larry MCR a setup right that's right he put he's the one that got this car put this that's right Sage Ken right there we see the Highlight on him he's up there in that outside Lane getting a big run just two that's just too hard you can't hit somebody from behind that hard I know you need to be pushing and shoving to try to get some momentum but that was just uh no way to kind of surviv that yeah there are a lot of guys that did a great job sliding through there Jesse love Jesse love there's Daniel D spinning in the 10 car Blane Perkins slipping through yeah see that that bump from uh Karen was just too much for Custer he just couldn't hold on to it then it causes kind of a chain reaction look at Truex four wide on the bottom in the dirt 44 off the ground with his front tires yeah BR and P taking a hop there Sheldon Creed squeezing through it looks like Jordan Anderson in the 32 right up the middle for the lead [Music] you saw Austin Hill driving through that he was ahead of the miss you see Co kuster checking the mirror to see if he's going to get a push he got one man that's such a horrible feeling listening to those crashes bring back a lot of bad memories Andy you wrecked a lot yeah unfortunately yes I don't think that was a compliment I don't think it was no I mean we all do I meant you know what I meant look at Sheldon Creed that's awesome right in the middle of this somehow look at that you hear use the gas too yeah great job put that all in my rearview mirror I just got a text from Larry mcgrs he said I I just sent a text to the pit box that said reach up there and pull those belts tight one more time one more time let's go that was just a bad Push by Kum he had a big push from behind and mhm yep sometimes you just you know the push from the back could have been the problem for him yeah sometimes it's hard to tell whether you know who's actually the one involved those whether you're getting you know getting a bump from behind you that knocks you into somebody else and makes it kind of hard to blame somebody tell you pit Road's a busy Place guys on and off herp served his penalty allar is getting more work on his car Herpst is dropped to the rear let's listen in apparently they're saying we laid back I don't I don't know yeah cuz you're the leader is supposed to have rights NASCAR I'm not supposed to be ahead of the leader in the box of course I laid back leader always supposed to have privilege can't argue that no but he did but you do have to let the leader fire first and it looked to me like the 98 fired first rean well Adam that radio communication came well after the caution had come out it took a while till they got the message to Riley that he had that restart violation as you heard right there he disagreed with it he was not happy about it but they ultimately decided to go ahead and top off the fuel they were a little concerned about fuel they kept telling him to save fuel up until that point so now he doesn't have to worry about it for the last last few laps here Daniel doesn't look like he's got significant damage does he no but he's stuck in the mud all the way up to the axle I'm surprised we haven't seen that more I think we got to get a tow truck for the tow truck he sunk down in there pretty pretty good with those rear tires if you're wondering how much rain we've had here the last couple of days in Daytona Beach Florida this might help answer the question Wonder no [Music] more and now we tape it up spend countless hours Andy tuning these things tweaking them to bring them to De just exactly right get that last little bit and then you just wrap it up a tape and see what you got seeing Cole kuster here it reminds me of a season ago we came to Daytona after going to Cup and winning a race and being rookie of the year he came back to the Infinity Series and we all just knew he was going to be the man to be and they kind of struggled out of the gates and very surprising find a way it tracks where you just felt for sure they would be the team to beat but come June July they started putting the pieces together once they got in the playoffs they got on a incredible run wins Phoenix and brings home his first championship it was a a fun run the end of the year for them that was one of the coolest two laps of the year at Phoenix when Cole it really was Cole took off from the point dropped all the way back to third or fourth on that lap and was able to charge through and get the Victory and uh that was just fun to watch three wide at Phoenix that doesn't happen much and he was making it work well we're going to have inside of five laps to go when we go racing again again let's go back and look at what happened last year this was the final lap Austin hill racing three wide at the front Sam Mayer goes upside down and by that much when the caution came out Austin Hill made it backto back wins at Daytona in February in August we had another shootout to the Finish Justin Aly by inches over Sheldon Creed who was driving the two at the time five 1000 of a second that was all Guy's first win at Daytona but it was the eighth for Junior Motorsports by eight different drivers wow they have a good program here eight different drivers RCR with a good program as well they've won here eight times as an organization too so that's the best when you talk about those two groups the old corn car looks pretty good from this side it's in a mess on on the other finally got Daniel out of the mud yeah they had to add a lap they were going to go green there but they couldn't get all that sorted out we did the chws and Jordan Anderson went to the outside he's going to have a Chevy behind him in Austin Hill let's look back at what we've had so far long day here in Daytona for all these exfinity teams thought they were going to race at 11: this morning rain wouldn't allow that went green 9:00 eastern time and it was on early that hard hit for Sam mayor Daniel Suarez with some issues the rookie by nose Jesse Love Takes the first [Music] stage you'll have the big one when you come to Daytona and some big names caught up in this [Music] accident Justin allar Racing for the lead gets shot out of line little debris off turn two that Cole kuster avoided and they came together as you see Austin Hill fast car patched up he gets the second stage and then here Austin Hill running third gear 100 milph down Pit Road had to line up at the rear of the field after that one he's coming in h been a crazy day for Austin Hill and then this mess Cole kuster just turned in the outside wall yeah nothing he could do just calls all the melee behind him Brandon Jones slip slipping through there and watch this 44 Brendan P get caught watch it yeah he he gets a little air right here yeah Sage car y sage carum has been released from the Care Center that's good news they just came by got the one to goes signal there'll be four four remaining now it'll be three to go when we go back racing who you got who you got Andy Pete wow I don't know I like I like Austin Hills chances lined up on the outside Lane number two Jordan Anderson runner up here twice in the Craftsman Truck Series never won in an exfinity car becomes a car owner his team won last year when Jeb Burton got it done at Talladega and not only is Jordan on the front row you see Parker redoff back there in third row outside behind Jordan and there's Austin Hill and red slop has been a big Pusher today he's had a lot of lot of steam be interested to see if he can hang with Austin Hill I think Austin's going places I'm going to agree with you Andy Ryan Sig's been he's been a good Pusher too we'll see what he can do maybe push Chandler Smith out front [Music] want to report that Jeremy Clemens has been released from the Care Center looking at the top 10 Jordan Anderson hasn't won Chandler Smith one career win Ryan SE hasn't won one victory in his career for Ryan Truex rlof hasn't won Samy Smith has one win Sheldon Creed in the top 10 he's not been to Victory Lane we could have a lot of fun at The Checkered Flag tonight I don't know if we'll have any more fun than if Ryan SE goes to Victory Lane cuz I've already got a couple of texts from his dad from the pit box he said we're going to get this thing there's a lot of folks at him that we see on a weekly basis that you know just what how much it would mean to get this win at Daytona you just want the opportunity right here these guys have it I say anybody in the top six got a good shot at winning this look at Jesse love he's back there in 12th right now bla Perkins is 11th and he's missing Defender pace cars in three to go come on Fellers let's run it green to the Checker nice start for the inside Lane Chandler Smith gets the jump watch that 21 when he gets her wound up though on the back of Geor Anderson they've got some steam look at them come uh-oh everybody's juking and Jing down that backstretch Ryan seag hopped into the outside Lane Chandler Smith jumps up there big Advantage for Jordan Anderson is he too far out front yes this could work against him right here yes he got to roll off the gas there goes Austin Hill outside Lane drafting help from Chandler Smith two to go at the line still a lot of racing left I know it says the only two to go but uh this uh seems like forever yes Austin Hill's been through a lot tonight so much back and forth with the money's on the line a lap and a half to go and he's got that 21 out front again Brandon Jones ducking to the inside Lane being a push from Sheldon Creed Austin Hills looking for that that white flag yes he is Riley Herz is trying to Rally after that penalty he's up toward the top five you like the Georgia Bulldogs they're all Georgia Boys up front right now Hill Chandler Smith Brandon Jones White Flag is out one to go sponsored by Credit One Bank next flag will end the race Austin Hill in front of of his old teammate Sheldon Creed yeah Sheldon Creed's hungry for a [Music] win uh-oh there goes Ryan SE 18 just watch 18 that might do it caution would end it no yellow yellow no yellow yet Austin Hill out in front of Sheldon Creed nobody's going to be able to get there yeah here five back 18 no yellow what an advantage on the final lap at Daytona Sheldon Creed going to do it again the Georgia drivers got the hattick at the world center of racing Austin Hill gets it done that's crazy he has won three of these in a row Austin Hill able to win the race Big Country come on look at that [Music] emotion that is really really something else isn't that just so real can't you just feel that look at these guys it's been a long day for these Crews old teammates they raced it out about Sheldon Creed was right there and and and you thought he had a chance and Austin Hill able to hold him off and win again what about Jordan Anderson racing a couple of top fives for him Jay Bourne he's the he's one of the guys that kind of ramrods that xinity series they build great race cars man I'm proud of them way to hang in there I thought we were out freaking that's C's eight runner up finish still winless in his career that's amazing reminds me of Harry Gant back in the day I'm telling you the last three races at Sheldon's run has been second second at Martinville second at Phoenix and second here you know he he's probably ready to get one of those Checker Flags it's hard to beat this guy though when you get the Daytona RC how about that fre P at Daytona w he's never lost one of these opening races at Daytona for [Music] us that is just incredible just doing some donuts and Daytona yeah he might need some help getting out of that grass here he's got a lot of help right there with him he's got plenty of help what a day for Austin Hill had so much adversity throughout the night seventh career win come on out there you [Music] big oh they love him that's Timmy laa the car Chief in a [Music] row a let's go these guys ought to be proud of this one they patched that car up with tape got him back out there andy put him in position very rarely do you tape one up and not all the tape fly off and little Al go to Victory Lane that's a great job by the team I'm really proud of him he should be and that driver how many times at him did he slice through the field from the back look at that car we never rode him off though we never we never lost f he wouldn't let us he kept coming to the front know if he could do it at the end but he did it rean Austin Hill celebrates with its team as they walk away right now Austin I don't know that I've ever seen a race where a driver's gone through as much as you did you had a crash early on you fix that you get a flat tire then you go to the back again multiple things and you get your third win at Daytona how does this one feel oh I mean it it tops it off 3p I mean you know how hard it is to Win It Daytona God almighty um you know I I don't know what was going on with me on Pit Road today um but my guys just kept telling me look man dig deep you're really good at these super Speedways uh I tried to screw it up on Pit Road sped on Pit Road slid through the box about slid through the box on the first stop but uh man this minute Chevrolet was as fast as xinity xinity 10g that's for damn sure uh thank you for all these fans this stuck it out I know it's late I don't even know what time it is I know it's past my bedtime but uh we're about to party tonight I can tell you that I am so stoked this is this is incredible and to win with it being the United RS 300 a longtime sponsor of mine oh I can't get any better Austin Hill wins his third straight at Daytona he said it you guys know it it's not easy to win here and he's now done it three consecutive years in February so impressive for Austin Hill and I just love the way he did it I mean he had a car that was tore up he messed up on Pit Road he never gave up it was all about heart and passion and he charged to the front repeatedly it was a team effort I mean you look at what those guys did that pit crew put that car together and he he paid it off man he brought it right to the front got the win father of three and now he goes back to his home track where he will be the defending race winner from the springtime a year ago at Atlanta Motor man how about that rich good to see that smile on his [Music] face that is so fun victory at Daytona there's nothing like it thank you guys for having me up here this was a lot of fun yeah it was fun and what a what a fun weekend it was here in Daytona congratulations to all the winners the Great American race goes to William Byron Austin Hill delivers in the night cap we'll see you next weekend in Atlanta truck series get gets things started with our double header Saturday 2 pm. Eastern Time on FS1 Xfinity cars coverage begins at 4:00 we're racing at 5: and the Cup race is Sunday from Atlanta Motor Speedway we were supposed to race on Saturday delayed till this morning we finally get going 9:00 eastern time on Monday night and it was worth the way and when it was all said and done and the smoke had cleared it was Austin Hill who went out and picked up his third consecutive February win at Daytona getting it done over his old teammate Sheldon Creed thank you for watching and congratulations to Austin [Applause] Hill beaken always blood tears I my best in everything I've done yeah I'm in control my so if you want to go up to the top you may only get one shot and if there's no shot ABS up always give everything you've [Music] got this copyrighted telecast may not be reproduced retransmitted or used in any form form without the authorized written consent of NASCAR broadcasting NASCAR would like to thank all of our fans for your support and we hope you enjoyed today's broadcast

Channel: NASCAR

Views: 72,846

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Id: n8amPCjJNqI

Length: 173min 41sec (10421 seconds)

Published: Wed Feb 21 2024