In both of the years that Dale Earnhardt Jr. clinched the NASCAR Busch Series (now the Xfinity Series) championships, he never won the race in which he was crowned king. 1998 saw the legend wrap up the title in the AC Delco 200 where he finished third to race winner Mark Martin. The following year he conquered his second consecutive chip at the Sam’s Town 250, crossing the line in 12th behind race winner Jeff Green. Now, a quarter of a century later, Dale Jr. will be experiencing deja vu, only this time as team boss rather than as a driver, as his man Justin Allgaier finally staked his claim to a NASCAR championship after finishing in second to Tony Stewart-Haas driver Riley Herbst.

Herbst, who dominated most of the Phoenix race, stole the lead from Allgaier on the final lap of the after some close rubbing action that drew some criticism from those watching. When asked post-race about how he felt about the close calls with Herbst, who was not in contention for the title, the newly minted Xfinity series champion made sure to set the record straight.

Justin Allgaier calls for Herbst to self-reflect

While the headlines were all about Justin Allgaier’s heroic, hard-earned championship, the Phoenix night undoubtedly belonged to Stewart-Haas driver Riley Herbst, who dominated both stages and the race and took the lead from Allgaier in the closing moments. For both drivers, victory was borderline essential, considering the stakes at play.

Allgaier was on the verge of ending a 15-year championship drought since he joined the intermediate tier of stock car racing. With a chaotic race that saw him drive around dead last at one point, a win would cement his pedigree as a true champion. On the other hand, Herbst wasn’t just racing for himself but for the pride and honor of his team. In early 2024, Stewart-Haas announced they would be shutting their doors for good, so for the 25-year-old Riley, any chance at victory in the team’s final race would not be lost easily.

In the post-race press conference, while Allgaier took in his big moment, he was candid about the on-track contact with Herbst, admitting the young driver raced aggressively but stopped short of condemning his tactics. “He did it multiple times throughout the course of the night,” Allgaier explained. “He actually tried to flatten the left rear tire at one point, right? I mean, he wanted to win this race. I wanted to win the race, too, but I wanted to win a championship a lot more.”

Justin Allgaier’s comments came with a mix of relief and reflection, acknowledging that Herbst’s aggression was par for the course in a high-stakes race. “If he ever gets in the opportunity to be where we were at tonight, I think he’ll look back at this and probably wish he had done something different,” Allgaier noted. “But at the end of the day, you know what, everybody’s got their own way of doing it.”

The newly crowned champion was quick to emphasize that there were no hard feelings. “There’s no animosity. I just think the moment tonight was way bigger than just winning the race,” Allgaier said, hinting that his focus was always on the bigger picture—claiming the championship trophy that had eluded him for so long.

After a long and winding journey spanning 471 races and 14 full-time seasons, Justin Allgaier can finally call himself a NASCAR Xfinity Series champion. It wasn’t just the culmination of a single race but the payoff of years of grit, perseverance, and heartbreak. After six previous appearances in the Championship 4, Allgaier’s seventh attempt proved to be the lucky charm, as he edged out fellow title contenders AJ Allmendinger, Cole Custer, and Austin Hill to take home the ultimate prize.

Allgaier’s championship night was nothing short of a rollercoaster. He began the race from the rear of the field in a backup car, having wrecked his primary ride during practice. Almost immediately, the challenges started piling up: a flat tire, two penalties under green, and a stint a lap down threatened to derail his championship hopes. But true to his fighting spirit, Allgaier kept his cool. “I thought it was over about 10 times,” Allgaier admitted with a laugh, visibly emotional as he addressed the fans. “You guys are awesome. I don’t think I have a voice left because I was yelling so much.”

A comeback for the ages for Allgaier

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The drama hit a fever pitch when Allgaier faced a crucial setback at the end of Stage 2. While battling on old tires, he made contact with Riley Herbst, which damaged his car’s left rear. Allgaier limped to the stage break, only to face more hurdles when the race resumed. A restart violation forced him into a pass-through penalty. To make matters worse, NASCAR caught him speeding on the pit road while serving it. This meant another trip down pit lane, leaving him a lap down as the race entered its final stage.

He managed to get back on the lead lap and, with fresh tires and a renewed determination, surged back into contention. As the laps wound down, it seemed like Cole Custer had the championship within his grasp, sitting comfortably in second behind teammate Herbst. Meanwhile, Austin Hill gambled with a two-tire pit stop that placed him in front for the crucial overtime restart. Allgaier, however, was ready to pounce. When Custer got bogged down behind Hill on older tires, Allgaier saw his chance. He threaded the needle with a gutsy move up the middle, shooting past both Custer and Hill to take the lead. It was a defining moment that showcased his veteran savvy and unyielding will to win.

Just when it seemed like he could coast to the finish, another wreck brought out a caution, setting up a nerve-racking double-overtime shootout. On the restart, Justin Allgaier nearly collided with rookie sensation Jesse Love but managed to keep his car straight and hold on to the lead. Herbst mounted a late charge, but Allgaier played it smartly, giving his rival room to avoid unnecessary contact. It was a strategic decision that paid off as he crossed the line in second, which was more than enough to secure his long-awaited championship. Team owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. was equally thrilled, having witnessed Allgaier’s loyalty and relentless pursuit of excellence over the years. “He’s made his home with us, never once complaining or shrugging his shoulders, and he gives it everything,” Earnhardt said. “I wanted this championship for him so badly.”

As Justin Allgaier looks ahead to 2025 with JR Motorsports, there’s already talk of a title defense. For now, though, he’s content to savor this long-awaited victory. “I’m at a loss for words, honestly. We’re going to celebrate this one, for sure,” Allgaier beamed. “Seven times in the Championship 4, and we finally got it done. I can’t thank everyone who believed in me enough.”

In a sport where perseverance is often the difference between heartbreak and glory, Justin Allgaier’s journey to becoming an Xfinity Series champion is a testament to resilience, grit, and never giving up on a dream.