Yesterday’s UNOH 188 for the NASCAR Xfinity Series on the Daytona International Speedway Road Course was a spectacular race. Lightening delayed it but it was definitely worth waiting to witness.
The most memorable moment in the first half of the race was Cindric’s battle with Chase Briscoe at the end of Stage Two and the pure emotion Cindric expressed on the radio.
The third stage wasn’t eventful until Earl Bamber wrecked in a single-car incident in the international horseshoe with about 10 laps to go. It’s remarkable how one driver’s mistake can ruin so many drivers’ race because they are overaggressive and mostly inexperienced. Chase Briscoe was the dominant car all day but finished the race wrecked out because three drivers including Preston Pardus and Myatt Snider stayed out on warn tires and stacked up everyone is Turn One. As a result, about three-quarters of the field charged into and overshot it. Caution flew for that wreckfest but NASCAR was inconsistent again on the final restart when Turn One calamity struck again. About five cars made heavy contact with each other then spun with synchronized timing. The race was a stale mate after that because Cindric drove away easily and quickly to his fifth win in 6 races, tying legend Sam Ard’s record.
Drivers will have to toe around Miles the Monster next Saturday starting at 12:30 PM ET/9:30 AM PT. I’m picking Cindric to win but he’ll have to beat Briscoe heads up.
