For the majority of Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series Pacific Office Automation 147 race at Portland International Raceway, Justin Allgaier appeared unbeatable in his No. 7 Brandt Chevrolet Camaro. However, in a thrilling twist during the final laps on June 1, Shane Van Gisbergen of New Zealand overcame early race mistakes in his No. 97 Quad Lock Chevrolet Camaro, seizing the lead on a restart with just five laps remaining.
The Xfinity Series' three-stage format has long been a key feature, providing drivers ample opportunity to recover from early missteps and strategize their way back to the front before the checkered flag. This 75-lap race, divided into three 25-lap stages, offers critical points at each stage’s end, followed by a caution period allowing for tire, fuel, and repair pit stops. Given the mandatory 63-second minimum for pit stops, pitting under caution is the preferred strategy.
Van Gisbergen had a strong start, qualifying in second place behind Sam Mayer in the No. 1 RTC Outdoors Chevrolet Camaro. However, an early collision with Mayer at the first corner pushed both drivers back in the field. Reflecting on the incident, Van Gisbergen remarked, “I’m pretty pissed at myself [for that].” Meanwhile, Allgaier, who started seventh on the grid, swiftly advanced to second place behind Riley Herbst in the No. 98 Monster Energy Ford Mustang. By lap 15, Van Gisbergen and Allgaier had raced into the lead, but Van Gisbergen’s green flag pit stop on lap 23 sent him to the back, allowing Allgaier to take and maintain the lead through the first stage.
Entering the second stage from the front, Allgaier demonstrated exceptional skill, securing another stage win after fending off a strong challenge from Sheldon Creed in the No. 18 Friends of Jaclyn Foundation Toyota Supra. Allgaier held his lead for an additional 20 laps, but a late-stage crash triggered a caution flag, bunching up the field for a restart with 10 laps to go.
Once racing resumed, Allgaier surged ahead, seemingly unchallenged until a significant four-car crash at the perilous Turn 12 brought out another caution flag. This incident provided Van Gisbergen, now positioned in second place, with one final opportunity. In a dramatic conclusion, Van Gisbergen capitalized on the restart, clinching the win and showcasing the resilience and strategic acumen that defines the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
