Aric Almirola Wins Wrecked Field Daytona Race

 The NASCAR Xfinity Series headed to Daytona International Speedway for the Subway Firecracker 250 Presented by Coca Cola. Before the race could even get started BJ McLeod was sent to the rear for unapproved adjustments. There was also a competition caution on lap 15 due to limited practice time.

Shortly after, the race got underway with Austin Dillon and David Ragan leading the field into turn 1. Ragan was able to lead the first lap, while the high line had some troubles to get momentum. Dillon made the high line work three laps later, and took the lead with Joey Logano following behind him. With 6 laps remaining until the competition caution, there was a four car crash on the tri-oval, involving the 07 of Ray Black Jr, 90 of Mario Gosselin, 97 of Alex Guenette, the 44 of J.J. Yeley, and the 25 of Scott Lagasse Jr. This brought out the first caution of the night. None of the leaders came down pit road, but the 97 was penalized for pitting too soon, and Jeremy Clements penalized for too many men over the wall. NASCAR reported, that the competition caution would now be moved to lap 20.

Restart on lap 14, Logano and Dillon battled it out for the top spot, but Logano pulls down to the inside, with Erik Jones behind him. Elliott Sadler would then take the lead away, but “The Big One” happened on the backstretch. Numerous cars were involved in the wreck. In fact, 14 total cars including some names like Austin Dillon, Joe Nemechek, Brandon Jones, Darrell Wallace Jr just to name a few were involved. TV showed, the 6 of Wallace Jr, getting turned by the 48 of Brennan Poole. NASCAR determined, that this will be the competition caution on lap 20. Leaders pitted, as Ryan Seig wins the race off pit road.

Elliott Sadler and Ty Dillon took the restart on lap 22, but it wasn't long before Joey Logano took the lead going into turn 1. Two laps later, another caution comes out as Erik Jones spins off of turn 2. Reports were Jones blew a right rear tire. He then would be penalized for pitting too soon. As well as, Darrell Wallace Jr who was too fast exiting pit road.

Lap 29 featured the next restart, as Ty Dillon and Joey Logano led the field into turn 1. Logano pulled in front for the lead a lap later. But there was an intense action going behind the leaders, as drivers were making it three wide. 5 laps later, Logano had debris on the front of his grille. Although, a caution came out on lap 40, as Ryan Preece's engine blows up off of turn 4. Logano got the debris off by using the pacecar. Leaders came down pit road under this caution. Brendan Gaughan won the race off pit road. Other drivers played strategy by taking fuel only or four tires.

Restart lap 48, Ty Dillon and Brendan Gaughan led the field into turn 1. But Logano with another daring move, took the lead on the high side with others behind him. Just a few moments, later Daniel Suarez pounds the inside wall on the backstretch. Replays show that Suarez gets loose off of Ross Chastain.

Lap 54 had the next restart, Logano and Aric Almirola were on the front row. Things would settle down for a while, before Ryan Ellis cut a right rear tire bringing out another caution on lap 67. Most of the leaders pitted while Justin Allgaier, and Elliott Sadler stayed out. There was a penalty on pit road, as Mario Gosselin drove through too many pit boxes. And Brennan Poole for too many men over the wall.

Allgaier and Wallace Jr, took the next restart on lap 71. Wallace Jr got out in front for a little bit, before Sadler took the lead with Almirola helping him. Logano tried to take the lead, but was unsuccessful in doing so. With help from Chase Elliott, Logano took the lead with 19 laps to go. The field was three wide all the way around the track. Joey Logano was shuffled back two laps later, as he tried to block the inside and outside lane. Elliott would lead for a moment before falling back. This would put David Ragan in the lead with 13 laps to go. It looked liked Ragan had the race won, but the caution came out with 3 laps to go. David Starr gets loose off of Ross Chastain, and goes spinning sideways into turn 3, before making contact with Brennan Poole. This will be an overtime finish meaning, that once the field crosses the overtime line the race is official.

As the field took the green with 2 laps to go, things started to heat up, and get a little dicey at the end. The leaders made it to the white flag, before another pile up happened on the backstretch. The top four cars including Logano, Allgaier, Almirola, and Seig were racing for the win. But just as they came off of turn 4 the caution came out to end the race. NASCAR was reviewing all videos to determine a race winner off the last scoring loop. 10 minutes later, NASCAR made Aric Almirola as the winner of the Subway Firecracker 250 Presented by Coca Cola. Justin Allgaier was 2^nd, Joey Logano 3^rd, Ryan Seig 4^th, and Brendan Gaughan rounded out the top 5. Officials were still determining the rest of the results after the finish.

The NASCAR Xfinity Series heads to Kentucky Speedway on July 8.