After an overtime attempt, the eighth one the NASCAR Xfinity Series has seen this season, Elliott Sadler captured the victory in the Sparks Energy 300 at Talladega Superspeedway. Celebrating his 41st birthday, the JR Motorsports No. 1 One Main Chevrolet driver grabbed the checkered flag by leading only one lap, the final one. Today’s achievement marks Sadler’s 11th win in 305 Xfinity starts. He has now taken over the Series points lead from the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota driver Daniel Suarez, who finished today in seventh.
It has been two years since Sadler visited Victory Lane in the NXS Series. “People don’t know how hard it is to win these races,” Sadler emotionally told FOX in a post-race interview. “Dale (Earnhardt) Jr. gave me a great opportunity and I got one heck of a race team. We had so many people here today from One Main, the longest-running sponsor in the Xfinity Series. They’ve stood behind us through thick and thin.”
Sadler desribed his day on the 2.66-mile Alabama speedway. “I had my plan made up. I tried to get to the outside of Joey. He made a great block, I went back to the inside,” Sadler explained. “I get one of those stickers to put on my car, we’re in the Chase this year. So proud of Kevin (Mendering, crew chief) and the race team, and Dale and Kelly (Earnhardt-Miller). I’m having so much fun this year. It’s great.”
JR Motorsports also claimed the runner-up position. When the offical results were tallied, their No. 7 Breyer’s Ice Cream Chevrolet driver Justin Allgaier failed to lead any of the 113 laps but still came home second.
“It was crazy,” Allgaier said of the final lap. “It never fails at Talladega, it always comes down to the final stretch coming to the checkered. Our Breyer’s Ice Cream Chevy was really good. We just bided our time. My spotter TJ Majors was trying to constantly push me through the field. I knew we had a shot at the end there. It was a matter of wanting to push but not being able to technically hook bumpers and push. After last week, this is good redemption.”
Brennan Poole finished third on the board. However, he ended up as the highest-finishing Sunoco Rookie contender and was able to lead five laps.
Showing class in his post-race interview with FOX, the driver of the No. 48 DC Solar Chevrolet pointed out that he is grateful for the opportunity he has. “It’s just really cool to have an opportunity at a win,” Poole said. “The car was great. All day we were right there. It’s a lot of fun racing with Joey (Logano) and Elliott (Sadler) and all these guys.”
The Xfinity Series takes a weekend off before returning to action at Dover International Speedway. FOX, MRN and Sirius XM Channel 90 are scheduled to have the coverage.
Race Results
- Elliott Sadler
- Justin Allgaier
- Brennan Poole
- Jeremy Clements
- Brendan Gaugha
- Austin Dillon
- Daniel Suarez
- Matt Tifft
- Chase Elliott
- Aric Amirola
I didn’t decide I wanted to pursue a career in NASCAR until the summer of 2012. I’m not a wrench head or strong enough for a pit crew so media was the next best thing. At the beginning of 2013, I started going to races and making connections within the sport. I also studied Motorsports Management at Sports Management Worldwide. Although I love what happens on the track, I’ve always been interested in what goes on behind the scenes and I’ve gotten to know many people throughout the radio, TV and digital media world.
While I’m a long time writer, 2015 was my first year actually covering the sport with www.nascarfemale.com . I also became a media correspondent for Raceline. I’ve been able to help the TV show gain recognition on social media. My current goal is to acquire more experience in covering NASCAR and move up the media ladder. Outside of motorsports, I have been an equine-sports statistician for 16 years.
I currently reside in Gillette, WY where I’m still involved with horses. I enjoy riding them, rodeo, swimming, traveling and meeting people.
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