2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series Race Three Las Vegas

The 38 car field led by Chandler Smith (16) and Justin Allgaier (7) take parade laps under mostly sunny skies with 25 mph winds making the 66 degree air temperature feel much cooler. The stages for today’s race are 45-45-110.

Kevin Harvick and Joey Logano join Adam Alexander in the FS1 booth. They look like three of the most boring white men on the planet. If I were looking for an exciting, or entertaining, or stimulating call, they don’t look like the guys to do it. I like KHarv in the booth usually. I like Joey Logano in the booth in general. I find Adam Alexander someone to tolerate most often. It’s just the visuals they presented; for some reason they all looked really stiff.

The event is the first PRN broadcast of the season. Doug Rice has already started to work my nerves with his repetition about the windy conditions and about the showgirls getting blown away. While I know the wind can drastically change a race by upsetting the car as well as providing unanticipated drag, Rice never mentioned any of that. He just sounded like he was whining about the weather and giggling about the under-dressed showgirls like a little boy.

Caution on lap 2 of 200 for a spin by Parker Kligerman (48). John Hunter ‘JHN’ Nemechek (20) nudged PK sending him around.

John Hunter ‘JHN’ Nemechek (20) wins stage one 1.315 seconds ahead of position two.

Not much racing in that stage – a little, but very little. They seemed to settle into logging laps pretty quickly.

Restarting on lap 53 of 200.

Caution on lap 73 of 200 for a spin by Josh Berry (8).

Restarting on lap 78 of 200.

Leader Justin Allgaier (7) pits on lap 81 of 200 to serve a pass-thru penalty for dropping below the white line before the start-finish line on the restart.

Caution on lap 88 of 200 for a spin by Raja Caruth (45).

Stage two ends with Austin Hill out front.

Restarting on lap 97 of 200.

PRN reports there’s good racing up front on lap 104 of 200. Television is showing some driver’s handing turning the steering wheel. Maybe there is, maybe there isn’t. TV doesn’t think so. Since I can’t really see it and the Independent Spirit Awards are on, I’m going to watch that and glance at the race occasionally.

Green flag pit stops are underway on lap 140 of 200.

Chandler Smith (16) passed Austin Hill (21) for the lead on lap 147 of 200 and nothing changed for the next 52 laps. Chandler Smith (16) led 111 of 200 laps only to be passed on the last lap.

Following a last lap pass, Austin Hill (21) held off Justin Allgaier (7) to win.

That event sucked. Nothing much happened for about 198 of the 200 laps. It looked like most of the Xfinity series races over the past couple of years. I’m not sure if it wasn’t very competitive, or if everybody was basically saving their stuff for the end. Either way it was not exciting until about 50 feet before the finish line. There were a few leaders, but it didn’t feel like most of the field was capable of running with those guys. Boring, boring, boring.

Motorsport News:

1. 1. 1. Hendrick Motorsports: ‘No timeline’ for Chase Elliott’s return.
      2. NASCAR announces new rules package for ovals and road courses.
      3. Tyler Reddick’s team changing engines; won’t practice or qualify at Las Vegas.
      4. Patrick Emerling filling in for CJ McLaughlin in Xfinity race at Las Vegas.
      5. Updates: Chase Elliott to miss Las Vegas race; Josh Berry to sub.
      6. Joey Logano speeds top pole position at for Las Vegas NASCAR Cup race.
      7. High Winds Make for Higher Risk With Highest Reward in Vegas NASCAR Weekend.
      8. Stroll reveals he broke toe as well as both wrists.
      9. Wolff admits Mercedes must change car design concept.
      10. Alonso says Aston ‘living a dream,’ eyes podium.
      11. Defending Cup champ Logano wins pole in Vegas.
      12. Grosjean, Andretti sweep qualifying at St. Pete.
      13. 2023 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge: Yazeed Al-Rajhi becomes first Saudi ADDC winner in T1.
      14. Memo Gidley Wins Crash-Filled St. Petersburg GT America Race No. 2.
      15. St. Pete IndyCar: Grosjean grabs pole in crash-filled qualifying.
      16. Wind and traffic hurt several stars in St. Pete qualifying.
      17. Ganassi, McLaren drivers frustrated by St. Pete qualifying.
      18. Chase Elliott Set for ‘Several Week’ Absence From NASCAR.
      19. Mechanical Issue Disrupts Tyler Reddick’s Weekend Schedule.
      20. Joey Logano Is a Fan of NASCAR’s Short Track Changes.
      21. Austin Dillon Embraces Owner’s Mindset at RCR.
      22. Elliott had successful surgery to repair fractured tibia.
      23. Bowman: Missing races from injury “an uncomfortable situation”.
      24. Chase Elliott out of NASCAR indefinitely after tibia surgery.
      25. Alex Bowman can empathize with relief driver Josh Berry.
      26. Harvick on Kyle Busch, Childress starting to click: ‘That’s dangerous for everybody’.
      27. Kyle Busch reaches out to Chase Elliott, offers support after leg injury.
      28. Rookie Foster nabs Indy NXT pole in St. Petersburg.
      29. Hughes dominates USF2000 opener in St. Petersburg.
      30. Happiness in short supply for IndyCar stalwarts in St. Petersburg.
      31. Wagner Wins MX-5 Cup Race One at St. Petersburg in Photo Finish.

Next Race: Phoenix

GO 7 & 8!!!!