The NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Michigan International Speedway on Saturday was won by a vehicle dubbed
“The Mayo Missile.” To win in overtime, Justin Allgaier, driver of the No. 7 Hellman’s Mayonnaise/Meijer Chevrolet, had to hold off several opponents.
“We’ve been calling it the ‘Hellman’s Mayo Missile’ all week, and it definitely was that in the corners,” Allgaier said.
“We were able to make up a lot of time in the corners.” Allgaier started off quickly but was pushed back by pit strategy. But while other cars had to save fuel late, Allgaier’s strategy gave him enough gas to charge.
With two laps remaining on the overtime restart, Allgaier’s teammate Sammy Smith took the lead. However, Allgaier quickly circled the summit to seize the lead.
REPOST to congratulate Justin Allgaier! 🏁
HE WINS THE NASCAR XFINITY SERIES RACE AT MICHIGAN. pic.twitter.com/CyhetNB9U2
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) August 17, 2024
A incident on the backstretch that sent Kyle Sieg flying caused NASCAR to issue a caution, which caused the race to end a half-lap early. With nine laps remaining, there was a crash that prompted the overtime restart.
A storm front passed over the track during the caution, bringing with it rain. “Just looking at the weather and how much rain was coming down, I really thought that would end the race,” Allgaier remarked.
NASCAR could have called the race official and declared Allgaier the winner, but it opted to wait for the rain to stop, dry the track and have an overtime finish. Multiple drivers were in danger of running out of fuel, but did not. While the decision could have cost Allgaier the win, he was happy NASCAR found a way to finish the race.
“We owe it to the fans … to give them the best finish that we possibly can,” Allgaier said. “You could hear them audibly during the red flag and how pumped up they were and how much they wanted to go back racing.”
This was the second rain delay of the race. Cars were halted for 11 minutes during a brief shower after Stage 1. Earlier in the day, Cup Series qualifying was canceled due to rain.
There’s a 60% chance on Sunday, for the FireKeepers Casino 400 Cup race, which is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on USA Network.
Pronouncing ‘Meijer’
As a native of Illinois, Allgaier knew how to pronounce Meijer, whose headquarters are in West Michigan. Following the victory, he gave the press conference interviewer the pronunciation: “That is a weird spelling. But if you’re from the Midwest, you know it,” Allgaier said.
In second place was Sheldon Creed. The caution prevented him from trying to overtaking Allgaier in the last turn.
Although this is Creed’s eleventh consecutive second-place result in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, he has never won the race.
Given that Creed confirmed early on Saturday morning that he will be racing for Haas Factory Team (previously Stewart-Haas Racing) in 2025 after leaving Joe Gibbs Racing, it would have been an ironic day for his maiden victory.
Passing Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Allgaier won his 25th NASCAR Xfinity Series race on Saturday, making history’s top ten. He surpasses Dale Earnhardt Jr., his boss, who has twenty-four.
Earnhardt intends to participate in the Xfinity race on September 20 at Bristol Motor Speedway despite being retired. Allgaier remarked, “I know that he’s going to be going for that number back.”
The top 10
Here’s a look at the top 10 finishes from the Cabo Wabo 250:
- 1. Justin Allgaier, No. 7 Chevrolet
- 2. Sheldon Creed, No. 18 Toyota
- 3. John Hunter Nemechek, No. 20 Toyota
- 4. Anthony Alfredo, No. 5 Chevrolet
- 5. Sammy Smith, No. 8 Chevrolet
- 6. Noah Gragson, No. 30 Ford
- 7. Matt DiBenedetto, No. 38 Ford
- 8. Taylor Gray, No. 19 Toyota
- 9. Caesar Bacarella, No. 45 Chevrolet
- 10. AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Chevrolet
