After a off-week for the NASCAR Xfinity Series, the series returned to Bristol Motor Speedway on a Saturday afternoon. Victory lane saw a similar sight like it did two weeks ago in Texas.
With weather threatening in the area, the race shortly got underway with Austin Dillon and Kyle Larson on the front row. Larson got off to a strong start and checked out early. Texas winner, Erik Jones, started to reel in Larson on lap 17. Two laps later, Jones took the lead from Larson. Larson rebounded, however, as he would regain the lead on lap 28.
The race went clean and green until the first caution on lap 79 for Ryan Reed, who got in to the wall in turn 2. Kyle Larson held on to the lead and went on to win stage 1. Cole Custer and Justin Allgaier qualified for the Dash 4 Cash.
Stage number 2 got underway on lap 95, with Larson and Ryan Blaney as the leaders. Not much action happened in this stage until lap 162, where the red flag was displayed for rain. Finally, after a one hour and 38 minute delay, the race went back to yellow with five laps remaining in the stage.
The leaders came down pit road and made their scheduled pit stops, including Larson. However, Daniel Hemric and Blake Koch stayed out to take the top spots. With the right strategy of staying out, Daniel Hemric won stage 2 and collected 10 championship playoff points. Brendan Gaughan, along with Hemric, were the last drivers to qualify for the Dash 4 Cash.
Stage 3 took place on lap 177, with Ryan Blaney and Daniel Saurez on the top spot. Blaney took the lead, before Suarez took command on lap 188 in turn 4. It didn't take long for Larson to regain the lead, as he went took control of the field on lap 205. The next caution flag flew on lap 219 for Ray Black Jr as spun off turn 4 and David Starr runs in to him as well.
During the caution, Blaney won the race off pit road and Erik Jones was caught for speeding. This would send Jones to the rear of the field.
With 66 laps to go, Brandon Jones and Ryan Blaney were the leaders as the race went back to green. Shortly after the start, Gaughan was turned by Darrell Wallace Jr on the frontstretch and brought out another caution.
Blaney and Saurez had the top spot for a race restart with 41 to go, however, Darrell Wallace Jr and Garrett Smithley collided hard on off turn 4. This would end both of the driver's day at Bristol.
The race was slowed again by the second to last caution with 30 laps to go. This saw Ross Chastain pound the outside wall and end his day. Kyle Larson also had problems with his car as the right rear tire went down, after making contact with Brandon Jones. More problems continued for Larson as he had a commitment cone violation and was sent to the rear.
Blaney was the leader at the restart with 23 laps to go, but two laps later, Erik Jones took the lead and went on to win his second race of the 2017 season.
This would be Erik Jones's eighth career win in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
This is Erik Jones's second consecutive win in the series.
There were 7 leaders among 15 lead changes.
There were 11 cautions for 85 laps.
Daniel Hemric won the $100,000 Dash 4 Cash.
The NASCAR Xfinity Series continues to do short-track racing as they head to Richmond International Raceway next Saturday.
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