DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Justin Haley won the Xfinity Series race at Daytona International Speedway on Friday night after his teammates wrecked on the final lap.
AJ Allmendinger was leading when Kaulig Racing teammate Ross Chastain tried to make a move on the inside. Chastain made contact with Allmendinger, turning him sideways and collecting both. Austin Cindric also was involved.
Haley slipped through and took the checkered flag.
“I hope we get some good ratings on that one,” Chastain said. “It’s terrible to run into your teammate like that. It must be my fault.”
No doubt, and Chastain quickly realized that while watching a replay.
“I hate it, man,” said Chastain, who is trying to get a full-time ride in the premier Cup Series. “It’s not going to help me moving forward. Coming to the checkered, what am I supposed to do? Finish second?”
It was Haley’s second win of the season, both at superspeedways. He also picked up a victory in the Cup Series at Daytona last year, claiming a rain-shortened event.
The Kaulig cars looked like the ones to beat over the final two stages. The only question was which one would end up in victory lane.
It looked to be Allmendinger or Chastain over the final 20 laps, with Chastain fending off every challenge from Cindric and Chase Briscoe — the series’ top two cars all season.
In the end, it was Haley — another shocker for him.