The NASCAR Xfinity Series visited Daytona International Speedway on Friday night in the Wawa 250. Qualifying was cancelled due to rain. Connor Zilisch was on the pole with Sam Mayer starting second. Zilisch elected to start in the rear with Parker Kligerman waiting to get into the car.
Sammy Smith led the opening eight laps, and Sam Mayer led five laps before rain began to fall on the track at lap 13. During the caution, Connor Zilisch pulled into pit road, and Kligerman went into the car. The rain let up, and the cars raced an extra nine laps before the rain started again, resulting in a red flag. Once the rain passed, the race was on.
Jr. Motorsports drivers Sammy Smith won stage one, and Justin Allgaier won stage two. In the final stage, Anthony Alfredo’s car stalled at the entrance of the infield road course at Turn 1 after losing power. Later on lap 90, Jeremy Clements collided with Taylor Gray, while Caesar Bacarella and Josh Bilicki also spun out.
Ryan Sieg and Parker Kligerman were on the front row for the restart on lap 95. Kligerman cleared Sieg for the lead. Three laps later, Ryan Sieg got turned by Leland Honeyman, leading to a multi-car crash involving Daniel Dye, Christian Eckes, William Sawalich, Aric Almirola, Harrison Burton, Jeb Burton, Josh Williams, Ryan Ellis, and Matt DiBenedetto.
The race went to overtime. In overtime, Parker Kligerman got a good jump on Austin Hill. He held off Sammy Smith, Justin Allgaier, and Austin Hill for the lead. The race would end under caution for another multi-car crash behind them. Kligerman won the race over Sammy Smith.
Justin Allgaier, Jesse Love, and Sam Mayer rounded out the top five. Despite Kligerman winning, Connor Zilisch, who started the race, was credited with the win. It was his seventh win of the season. Brandon Jones, Dean Thompson, Brennan Poole, Garrett Smithley, and Ryan Ellis rounded out the top ten.
There were seven cautions for 39 yards, and 22 lead changes among eight drivers. Kligerman led 12 laps, and Sammy Smith led the most laps (18). The Xfinity Series heads to Portland International Raceway next Saturday at 7:30 pm on The CW.
