KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Aric Almirola crashed victory lane within the NASCAR Xfinity Collection playoff opener Saturday at Kansas Speedway for his second victory of the season.

Almirola, the 40-year-old former Cup driver operating a restricted Xfinity schedule for Joe Gibbs Racing, has six profession Xfinity victories, additionally successful at Martinsville in April. He gained three Cup races.

“It is precisely what I got down to do when Coach (Gibbs) known as me. I actually did not have a plan. I used to be retiring and did not know what was subsequent,” Almirola stated. “Coach known as, I met with him, and we talked so much about what this might appear to be, and it has been so gratifying. I actually imagine it was an answered prayer for me, (spouse) Janice and our household.”

Almirola, Cole Custer, and Chandler Smith dueled over the ultimate 40 laps, with Smith main a lot of the method. Custer handed Smith for the highest spot with 10 laps to go, and Almirola made the ultimate move with three laps left.

“For me, to have the ability to scratch the itch of driving race automobiles and competing at a excessive degree, I completely love this,” Almirola stated. “I didn’t wish to stroll away from precisely what I did at this time. That adrenaline rush of what I did at this time is irreplaceable. You can’t try this wherever else.”

Almirola gained the primary stage earlier than dropping again so far as thirtieth as a consequence of a pit highway incident and making contact with the wall. Neither deterred Almirola from persevering with to run that top line that in the end led him to victory.

“I simply wanted to be methodical. I used to be operating so near the fence; I couldn’t overstep by one %,” Almirola stated. “Or else I might hit the fence and take myself out of competition.”

Custer was second, his first top-10 end at Kansas Speedway. Smith was third, adopted by Connor Zilisch and playoff driver Sheldon Creed.

Custer confirmed his frustration with Smith afterward.

“He killed us. We positively tore our stuff up making an attempt to get by him,” Custer stated. “It made me mad when he put us within the fence on that restart, and he will pay the consequence for that. I will race him like he races me.”

Smith, in the meantime, was sympathetic, although unapologetic, for his or her prolonged battle for the lead.

“That is for the race win, that is for advancing to the following spherical. That is additionally a man I am racing for the championship, so I should be extra aggressive,” Smith stated. “I would not change what I did. I used to be making an attempt to provide myself the perfect shot to win.”

Common-season champion Justin Allgaier began the race atop the factors standings. He left together with his season in jeopardy after a wreck on Lap 70. He spun out exiting Flip 2, slid down the race observe and hit the within wall onerous. Allgaier tried to return to the race, however a flat left entrance tire and lack of brakes ended his day in thirty sixth place. It was the fourth straight race that Allgaier was concerned in an accident.

“We’re not out of it by any stretch,” Allgaier stated. “That is why you’re employed so onerous within the common season, to get all of the bonus factors you’ll be able to. However I’ve acquired a protracted subsequent two weeks.”