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NASCAR Xfinity Series Fans Respond To Aggressive Aric Almirola Claiming Focused Health 302

Jeff Hawkins Written by Sports EditorJeff Hawkins
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NASCAR Xfinity Series Fans Respond To Aggressive Aric Almirola Claiming Focused Health 302

NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Sammy Smith knew what needed to be done to capture Saturday night’s Focused Health 302 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Passiveness would not cut it.

To capture the Round of 8 opener, Smith told @WendyVenturini the pilot will have to be “very aggressive.”

Aric Almirola heeded Smith’s pre-race game plan.

With eight laps remaining, Almirola battled regular-season champion Connor Zilisch for the lead. Taking advantage of Zilisch getting loose along Turn 2, Almirola went low for the advantage. Zilisch attempted to reclaim the lead along the backstretch, but was slowed by contact from the No. 19 Toyota.

Competing in his 14th circuit event this season, Almirola, a former Cup competitor, won for the third time, including his second postseason event.

The aggressive spoiler.

X (Twitter) users responded to Almirola and Zilisch battling for the lead on Lap 193, proving to be the decisive, aggressive move …

Going green in Sin City …

Dean Thompson became the first machine to pit on Lap 26. He was followed by Sheldon Creed and Austin Green. Creed reported handling issues with his No. 00 Ford …

Early issues popped for Sam Mayer, but he remained in the top 10 for most of Stage 1 …

 

The opening stage featured one lead change, Almirola passing pole-sitter Justin Allgaier, who led the opening 20 laps …

On 76, Austin Hill clipped the apron along Turn 3, but he saved the No. 21 Chevrolet and lost just one position, falling to P6 …

Almirola remained in command, claiming a caution-free Stage 2 …

Almirola and Zilisch battle for the lead as the No. 19 Ford regained command …

Jesse Love made his move …

Aggressive Almirola stole the show …

Jeff Hawkins Written by Sports EditorJeff Hawkins
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He joined the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on NASCAR's increasing corporate influences, particularly in northern racetracks — commentary which you might find Jeff building on as part of the Motorsports writing team at Sportscasting now.  
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