The NASCAR Xfinity Series’ first race at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez since 2008 was a success, thanks to successful promotion by the sanctioning body, thriving ticket sales, stellar TV numbers and a hometown winner successfully claiming the top of the podium after the fastest cars were caught up in a late-race melee. Here’s a recap of what might arguably be the best NXS race of the season thus far and how it went down.
Stage One
The green flag dropped with Connor Zilisch and Ty Gibbs leading the field, after Zilisch secured the pole position earlier in the morning and Gibbs posted the fastest time in practice. Zilisch got a huge launch on the start and the race was on for 65 grueling laps, south of the border. Gibbs fought back going into Turn 1, and after a lap, the duo went side-by-side, was Gibbs forced Zilisch off the racing surface going into Turn 3 on Lap 2. Since he was forced into the grass, NASCAR determined there would be no penalty. The first caution came out on Lap 4, due to Sam Mayer slamming the wall going into Turn 10, after carrying too much speed in the corner.
The race resumed with Gibbs in first, and Christopher Bell alongside him. Everybody fought for valuable real estate heading into Turn 1, as Bell and Gibbs went wheel-to-wheel as Zilisch made up a lot of ground to reclaim second-place. By Lap 13, Zilisch found himself back on Gibbs’ back bumper, as Bell followed close behind in third. Bell spun coming out of the stadium section of the track, resorting him back to tenth. A few laps later, points leader, Justin Allgaeir, had to take his #7 Brandt Chevrolet to the garage due to a transmission issue, losing first and second gear, as well as suffering a broken rear-axle. Seconds later, Jesse Love spun Sammy Smith going into Turn 1, as Stage 1 was just a few laps from ending.
Gibbs and Zilisch pitted before Stage 1 ended, just as the pits closed, giving Carson Kvapil his first-career stage win. Rounding out the Top-5 from second-on back were Taylor Gray, Jesse Love, Austin Hill and Nick Sanchez.
Stage 2
When the green flag dropped on Lap 26, Zilisch had the lead, thanks to his Lap 19 pit stop. Bell challenged the young phenom for the lead, as Daniel Suarez slammed on the brakes hard going into Turn 1, rewarding him with two spots up to third. Throughout the pack, Anthony Alfredo and Kris Wright spun out all over the course over the next few laps, but no caution came out since they were out of the way of traffic. Ultimately, Stage 2 was the Gibbs vs. Zilisch show, with the duo pitting with under two-to-go before the end of the stage. Simultaneously, Bell’s day came to an end, with his vehicle going up in smoke coming to pit road. Sammy Smith capitalized on the pit stops and engine failure by winning the second stage, as Taylor Gray, Sheldon Creed, Brandon Jones and Nick Sanchez rounded out the Top-5.
Final Stage
Crunch time came with 20-to-go, with Zilisch and Gibbs once again out front to take the green on the restart. On Gibbs’ bumper was Daniel Suárez, looking to crash the party and successfully did so, getting around the leaders as they crashed on the first corner. Calamity ensued, with the field playing bumper cars going into Turn 1, ultimately taking out Gibbs, and Zilisch, amongst others.
When the green flag dropped with 14-to-go, Suárez shared the front row with rookie, Christian Eckes, with Suárez prevailing going into the first turn, having a clean lead until seven laps remaining, the caution coming out due to Jesse Love spinning outside the stadium section of the racetrack.
On the last restart, Suárez jumped ahead of Taylor Gray, as Gray remained in striking distance of the Monterrey, Mexico native’s bumper. When the white flag waved, Gray knew he had one last chance to collect his first-career NASCAR Xfinity Series win, exiting the stadium section, but it was not enough, as Suárez collected his fourth-career NASCAR Xfinity Series victory in front of a hometown crowd. He did so driving a backup car, after initially crashing in Qualifying and having to start at the tail of the field in 39th-place, driving from last to first in 65 grueling laps.
Due to the “international provisional” NASCAR granted, Suarez and his JR Motorsports team did not collect any owner’s points or prize money for the win, but bragging rights and a trophy were enough for the team.
Exiting Mexico City, Justin Allgaier is still the points leader, despite having to go to the garage earlier in the race, with a 54-point lead over Austin Hill, who finished third in the event. The NASCAR Xfinity Series heads up to Pocono Raceway, located in Long Pond, Pennsylvania, and this’ll be the series’ tenth event at the “Tricky Triangle”, and the green flag will wave on Saturday, June 21st at 3:30PM EST/12:30PM PST on the CW. You’ll be in for a show, since Pocono is known for interesting pit strategy and drivers having to keep their heads in the game all afternoon long!
Every Man on Every Crew, LLC. 
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