Harrison Burton passed Noah Gragson off Turn 4 of the final lap to win Saturday’s Xfinity race and prevent Gragson from securing a spot in the championship race at Phoenix.
Gragson took the lead on the final restart but Burton, who spun earlier in the race, chased him down and scored his third win of the season.
“We had such a fast race car,” Burton told NBCSN. “I’ve never driven anything harder than that last corner in my life.”
Gragson entered the race last among the eight remaining playoff drivers and appeared to be in a must-win situation to advance. He seemed set to do just that.
“I felt like we had a fast car there, a little tight on exit all day, just frustrated at myself. I was pretty tight there at the end and I saw (Anthony) Alfredo holding Harrison off. … I knew (Burton) was coming. I just didn’t expect him to get there. Frustrated.”
Instead of securing a spot in the championship race, Gragson is 24 points from the final transfer spot going into next week’s race at Martinsville, the final chance to secure a spot in the title race.
The playoffs took a dramatic turn with 26 laps to go when a crash collected Justin Allgaier and Brandon Jones – who each entered in a transfer spot to the championship race – and Ross Chastain.
Allgaier restarted on the inside of the front row and was leading off Turn 2 when he came up the track and made slight contact with Chastain, slowing both. There was additional contact that sent Allgaier into Jones’ car. Jones hit Chastain’s car, sending it into a slide.
Shortly after the ensuing restart, Cindric drifted up the track as he ran beside Gragson for the lead. Gragson motored by and pulled away for the victory.
CHAOS.@RossChastain, @J_Allgaier, and @BrandonJonesRac all crash on the restart! TV: NBCSN #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/rLZ826sJKW
— #NASCARPlayoffs on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 24, 2020
STAGE 1 WINNER: Brandon Jones
STAGE 2 WINNER: Harrison Burton
WHO HAD A BAD RACE: Chase Briscoe, who secured a spot in the championship race with his victory last week at Kansas, had mechanical issues and went to the garage in the opening stage, losing 16 laps for repairs. … Playoff driver Ryan Sieg is in a must-win situation after he had mechanical problems and went to the garage early in the second stage.
NEXT: The series returns to Martinsville Speedway for the first time since 2006 on Oct. 31 (3:30 p.m. ET on NBC).
