TC Daily Pit Stop: Custer Charges to Xfinity Series Championship in Epic Battle; Allgaier Falls Short; Byron Earns Pole for Cup Championship Race
TC Daily Pit Stop: Sunday, November 5th, 2023
Cole Custer Thrives in Overtime to Win 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship
After three seasons in the NASCAR Cup Series, Cole Custer was demoted to the NASCAR Xfinity Series for the 2023 season. While he could have sulked, Custer chose to keep his head down and showcase his abilities. And on Saturday night, talent and opportunity converged and Custer scored a victory in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship Race.
As Custer crossed the line, his team owner Tony Stewart went wild atop the pit box. It was a big moment, and Custer pulled off the win in an incredible battle over the closing laps with his three Xfinity Series championship competitors.
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OFFICIAL RACE RESULTS
OFFICIAL DRIVER STANDINGS
OFFICIAL OWNER STANDINGS
INSPECTION REPORT
Justin Allgaier Finishes Third; Falls Short of Maiden Xfinity Series Championship
Justin Allgaier was oh so close, yet again, but Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway was not the breakthrough for the veteran NASCAR Xfinity Series racer.
“All in all, it was a good night for us,” Allgaier said. “Disappointing, but I walked out of here last year really bummed about the way the night went because I felt like I didn’t do a good job. Tonight, I walked out of here, I gave 100 percent. We did everything right. Just didn’t work out for us.”
Allgaier spun early in the event, but rebounded, and competed admirably down the stretch. But ultimately, he finished third after an electric finish, which was two positions shy of a championship winning performance.
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William Byron Earns Pole Position for Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway
William Byron will start Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race from the pole position, which is a distinct advantage as it comes along with the No. 1 pit stall on pit road.
Byron, 25, is in search of his first NASCAR Cup Series title, and the Hendrick Motorsports driver will begin from the same position that each of the last three NASCAR Cup Series Champions have — an earned pole at Phoenix.
While Byron starts from an enviable spot, he’ll likely have to hold off his other three Championship contenders throughout the race. Kyle Larson will start the race in fourth, Christopher Bell will start 13th, and Ryan Blaney will roll from the grid in 15th.
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STARTING LINEUP
NASCAR TV and Streaming Schedule Sunday, November 5
2:00 PM ET: Countdown to Green (NBC / Peacock)
3:00 PM ET: NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race (NBC / Peacock)
7:00 PM ET: Post-Race show (NBC / Peacock)