In two of the past three NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship races, the title was decided with last-lap passes for the win.
Saturday’s version was set up for a similar finish.
With under 10 laps remaining at Phoenix Raceway, the four Championship 4 drivers, Cole Custer, John Hunter Nemechek, Justin Allgaier and Sam Mayer were running 1 through 4.
With three rotations remaining, Custer appeared in command until a caution came out with three laps remaining, forcing an overtime session and a restart with the final four drivers lined up at the 1-mile low-banked tri-oval.
Custer elected to occupy the top groove and pulled away for the series championship.
“I love you guys,” Custer said on the team radio moments after crossing the start/finish line.
The Xfinity Series’ final four, Custer, Nemechek, Allgaier and Mayer …
Showtime. #Championship4 pic.twitter.com/zWAstBh25L
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) November 4, 2023
As commanded, the Xfinity Series drivers started their engines …
Kevin James would be proud gentlemen!
Let’s crown an @NASCAR_Xfinity Series Champion in Phoenix!
The green flag is next.#NASCAR #NASCARPlayoffs #Championship4 pic.twitter.com/MQGhd1hOkZ
— NASCAR on TSN (@NASCARonTSN) November 4, 2023
The green flag dropped on the circuit’s championship race …
A championship dream will be realized tonight in Phoenix!
Let’s crown a champion on USA! #Championship4 pic.twitter.com/b0qyv0IhvU
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) November 4, 2023
Just three laps into the event, Allgaier endured a Stage 1 troubling spin …
ALLGAIER SPINS AFTER CONTACT WITH NEMECHEK!
A crazy start for the #Championship4 as the No. 7 gets loose into Turn 1 under the No. 20 and somehow escapes without further damage.
They’re all still in it, but an eye-opener in the opening laps.#NASCAR #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/mNZkHghvym
— NASCAR on TSN (@NASCARonTSN) November 4, 2023
Nemechek claimed the lead and cruised to the Stage 1 win …
Lap 33 in the #NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship – John Hunter Nemechek (#Championship4) takes the lead from Austin Hill! pic.twitter.com/g5D7WjvANw
— Josh Patrick (@JoshCanuckIV) November 4, 2023
As the desert’s sun started setting Saturday, the series’ championship was beginning to heat up …
The sun may be setting, but we’re just getting started. #Championship4 pic.twitter.com/yK3erajgEY
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) November 4, 2023
Picturesque …
A sight to see. #Championship4 pic.twitter.com/PlnP3bLZes
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) November 5, 2023
Custer captured Stage 2, with his Championship 4 competitors close behind …
It’s shaping up to be a classic fight for the title following Stage 2: @ColeCuster – 1st @sam_mayer_ – 2nd@JHNemechek – 3rd @J_Allgaier – 9th pic.twitter.com/46nDmtQ02k
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) November 5, 2023
Amazing! The pit-crew member was on fire, but he remained cool, calm and collected! …
Pit crew members are TOUGH. 🔥
📺: @USANetwork pic.twitter.com/uKVogiDKRo
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) November 5, 2023
After capturing the Truck Series title, Ben Rhodes won another race Friday night …
Breaking: NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champ @benrhodes races golf cart on foot … and wins #NASCAR75 pic.twitter.com/ChSmAoDlTt
— Matt Humphrey (@matthumphreycar) November 4, 2023
With his final Cup race approaching Sunday, NASCAR released a Kevin Harvick tribute video …
‘@KevinHarvick took a trip down memory lane ahead of his final @NASCAR Cup Series race.
Check out the full 20-minute video HERE: https://t.co/lhDCFaqfFg pic.twitter.com/CiYakFZYGq
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) November 4, 2023
After developing a wheel hop, driver Myatt Snider’s machine spun out on Lap 137. On the preceding pit stops, Nemechek was the first off pit road …
Problems for the No. 19 of @MyattSnider brings out the yellow! pic.twitter.com/rYkc5r3RrT
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) November 5, 2023
While pulling away from Nemechek and Custer would alternate P1s during Stage 3, while pulling ahead to more than three seconds on Allgaier and Mayer …
Now, it’s go time! @JHNemechek leads the way, but @ColeCuster is sticking with him!
Less than 50 to go in the #Championship4! pic.twitter.com/GpCNmSHiCM
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) November 5, 2023
Custer, who lost his Cup Series ride last offseason, was out to prove he belonged on the top stock-car racing circuit …
HERE COMES COLE! @ColeCuster takes the lead in both the race and the championship battle! pic.twitter.com/Qq3Q48PGgj
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) November 5, 2023
Overtime-forcing spin out …
CAUTION!
We’ll have another restart! pic.twitter.com/UPPZU1Kfcg
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) November 5, 2023
Custer needed a mistake-free final OT lap and …
A perfect lap seals it for @ColeCuster! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/6SRbJLyojA
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) November 5, 2023
Custer’s rising stand …
His time. pic.twitter.com/eKEqZH71jM
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) November 5, 2023
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