In the NASCAR Xfinity Series race, the Before You Dig 200 at Phoenix, @CSmith_Racing showcased a strong performance for CSmith Racing. He led the opening lap after a significant move off the outside groove and continued to dominate by winning Stage 1, marking his fifth career stage win and third consecutive this season, having swept both stages at Las Vegas Motor Speedway last week. @ColeCuster won Stage 2, tying him with 2020 NXS champion Austin Cindric for fourth all-time in the series with his 27th career stage win. The race saw intense competition, with Smith and Custer battling for the lead, notably around lap 65, and positions changing frequently due to strategic pit stops around 49 laps complete and with 105 to go. Almirola, Allgaier, and Herbst were among the top competitors, with Allgaier moving to second place around 70 laps in and Almirola experiencing a drop from third to seventh after pit stops. The race was marked by teamwork, with Custer acknowledging Herbst as a 'hell of a teammate', despite facing challenges and losing positions, notably during a restart at lap 101.
00 radio: "Hell of a teammate right there," says Custer of Herbst. #NASCAR | #BeforeYouDig200
"Hell of a teammate right there" Cole Custer says of Riley Herbst, as he drops back to fifth. "I guess he uses what he needs to" Custer is told. Custer says he's gotten loose and has lost four positions in the last few laps. #NASCAR
Custer finds a spot in line, P5. #NASCAR | #BeforeYouDig200
Allgaier to second, and they are hanging Cole Custer out to dry all of a sudden. He may be sixth by the time he can settle out. "Really, really loose," he tells CC Jonathan Toney. #NASCAR | #BeforeYouDig200
Re-leader, @CSmith_Racing as we complete lap 109. #NASCAR | #BeforeYouDig200
Custer v. Chandler Smith, act III is gearing up. 92 laps to go. #NASCAR | #BeforeYouDig200
RESTART LAP 101: Exactly halfway and we're green for the final stage! Allgaier forced WAY high three wide and Chandler retakes second. Sam Mayer to fifth further back! #NASCAR | #BeforeYouDig200
Green with 100 to go #NASCAR
Pit stops with 105 to go. Race off: 00, 7, 98, 81, 20 / 1, 19, 2, 18, 9. Almirola dropped from P3 to P7 there. #NASCAR | #BeforeYouDig200
Stage 1: Chandler Smith Stage 2: Cole Custer! Stage 3: ??? Stream the Phoenix NXS finish» https://t.co/mRRDpA6iAy https://t.co/3pGPYnasBs https://t.co/4C83Fp67DV
Just SVG things #NASCAR https://t.co/5KfAuNHbg3
And SVG made quite the save while passing him. #NASCAR https://t.co/4ArCGGU70g
Stage 2 winner: @ColeCuster, his 27th career @XfinityRacing stage win. That ties him with 2020 NXS champion @AustinCindric for fourth all-time in the series. #NASCAR | #BeforeYouDig200
Move @J_Allgaier to P2 with 70 laps in. #NASCAR | #BeforeYouDig200
And for the lead ... @CSmith_Racing has tracked @ColeCuster back down working lap 65. #NASCAR | #BeforeYouDig200
Make that a four-car battle for third! JHN slots riiiight in between Allgaier and Almirola now and Riley Herbst has caught this trio as well! #NASCAR | #BeforeYouDig200
Pit stops with 49 laps complete. Race off: 00, 7, 98, 81, 19 / 20, 1, 26, 2, 9. @CSmith_Racing lost three spots with a slow stop. #NASCAR | #BeforeYouDig200
Stage 1 Results: 1. @CSmith_Racing 2. @ColeCuster 3. @J_Allgaier 4. @Aric_Almirola 5. @rileyherbst 6. @BrandonJonesRac 7. @sam_mayer_ (from 21st!) 8. @CoreyHeim_ 9. @JHNemechek 10. @jesselovejr1 #NASCAR | #BeforeYouDig200
Stage 1 Winner: @CSmith_Racing P4 - @Aric_Almirola P9 - @JHNemechek P14 - @sheldoncreed #TeamToyota https://t.co/b4lAJQ8Vz3
Stage 1 winner: @CSmith_Racing. It's his fifth career @XfinityRacing stage win and third in a row this season. He swept both stages last week at @LVMotorSpeedway. #NASCAR | #BeforeYouDig200
Chandler Smith wins opening stage at Phoenix. CSmith Custer Allgaier Almirola Herbst Jones Mayer Heim Nemechek Love.
26 laps in. 2.293-second lead for @CSmith_Racing over @ColeCuster. #NASCAR | #BeforeYouDig200
Almirola inside of Allgaier and takes P5 on lap five. #NASCAR | #BeforeYouDig200
Hello @CSmith_Racing. Huge run off the outside groove off turn two and he'll lead the opening lap. #NASCAR | #BeforeYouDig200