Xfinity Winners & Losers @ Vegas

By: Tom Luttermoser   Image: Josh Berry Twitter

Winners

Josh Berry: There has been only 1 word to describe Josh Berry's 2023 season. Consistency. Winning 3 races this season and only finishing outside the Top-10 10 times of the 30 races of the season. Saturday's Alsco Uniforms 302 was no different. Not only did Josh score 7 stage points, but he led 65 laps in rout to his first win since Charlotte in early Summer. BUT, more importantly. He is now officially an Xfinity Series title contender. 

Hailie Deegan:  Hailie got her first Xfinity Series start at Las Vegas this weekend. Many of those in the NASCAR social media sphere said she would crash, end up multiple laps down or just flat out not show up. Hailie set a very respectable goal for herself of a Top-15. We know the car is capable of the run as it has contended for several wins this season, even scoring one. Goal achieved, Hailie finished a very very respectable 13th, on the lead lap in her first start. That's a finish she can be proud of. 

Noah Gragson: In what has got to be one of the most impressive second halves of a season in recent Series history, Noah continues. Leading a race high 87 laps finished second to teammate Josh Berry incredibly scored his 9th Top-4 finish in the last 12 races. 6 of those runner-up or better. 

Losers 

AJ Allmendinger: After winning 2 races in a row, then starting on Pole, AJ had an abysmal start to the Round of 8. AJ led only 7 laps in the race, scoring 5 stage points. With a pit issue late in the race relegating him to a 22nd place finish, AJ's 5 stage points did not end up helping him. He is now 16 points behind the cut line.

Sheldon Creed: Sheldon Creed had a horrible day. Engine failure in the Richard Childress Racing #2 CHevrolet brought his day to an end early. He was out after only 52 laps