FONTANA, Calif. — John Hunter Nemechek scored the final checkered flag on the two-mile Auto Club Speedway circuit Sunday night, topping the NASCAR Xfinity Series Production Alliance Group 300.
Nemechek held off JR Motorsports’ Sam Mayer in the closing laps to earn the win for Joe Gibbs Racing aboard the No. 20 Toyota Supra.
“My guys gave me one hell of a race car,” Nemechek said. “This Toyota GR Supra was as fast as Xfinity 10G – if not faster. I can thank everyone enough. Vons, Albertsons – all of our great partners, Toyota, TRD, Coach (Joe) Gibbs for the opportunity – everyone that was involved to put this whole deal together.
“I feel like it’s one of the best opportunities that I’ve had in my career. Two races in – we are executing pretty well. I’m happy to work with this whole group. I’m confident in our team. Can’t thank Coach enough – just wish Coy was here to celebrate with us.”
The 25-year-old earned his third career Xfinity Series victory, and his first since 2021.
Rain on Saturday postponed the event to Sunday evening.
JRM’s Justin Allgaier rounded out the top three, with Chandler Smith and Josh Berry finishing behind Allgaier.
It looked to be Cole Custer’s evening after sweeping the first two stages, however, a flat right-front tire on lap 91 derailed the Stewart-Haas Racing’s chances.
After locking down the season opener at Daytona (Fla.), Richard Childress Racing’s Austin Hill had a solid outing in sixth.
Pending approval, Auto Club Speedway will turn into a short track in the coming years, marking Sunday’s Xfinity Series race the last event on the two-mile oval.
“It’s cool. To write my name in history as the final winner at this two-mile oval – what a great place,” Nemechek said. “You can run all of the lanes. You slip and slide around. The seams are treacherous – but after Kyle (Busch) won – there’s been a lot of doubt, I feel like from fans about Ben (Beshore) coming back to be my crew chief.
“After Kyle won the race, I texted Ben. He came up to the box and I told him that it was our turn to go get one, and now here we are.”