AJ Allmendinger Wins Xfinity Series Race Despite Crash, Claims Regular Season Title

As Allmendinger and Austin Cindric approached the finish line, a late crash between the rivals pushed Allmendinger across the finish line first.

Rivals AJ Allmendinger and Austin Cindric were in a tight race as they approached the finish line Friday night at Bristol Motor Speedway. But, it was Allmendinger—who went sliding across the finish line after Cindric hit him—to win the Xfinity Series regular season title. 

What a finish 😯

A. J. Allmendinger crashed through the finish line after holding on for victory in the Xfinity Series Championship

(via @NASCARONFOX) pic.twitter.com/jOArKfpxXh

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) September 18, 2021

Hear from your #FoodCity300 winner and Regular Season Champion @AJDinger from victory lane! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/b9ohgqB0X0

— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) September 18, 2021

Cindric finished second, followed by Riley Herbst at third and Justin Allgaier at fourth. Allgaier picked up a pit road speeding penalty and initiated contact with his teammate, Sam Mayer, late during the race. 

After winning the race, Allmendinger told NBCSN that it was a crazy ending but that's what "makes the sport bad a--."

"We had about a fourth place car. My team a great job there," Allmendinger said. "I slid into Austin trying to throttle up and stay on the bottom. And then into (Turn) 1, Allgaier had a run and there was contact. I expected to get run into. It’s frustrating to get hit that hard coming to the checkered.”

The Xfinity playoffs will begin at 7:30 p.m. ET on Sept. 25 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

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