NASCAR announced on Thursday that the Xfinity Series race at Daytona International Speedway has been postponed due to Hurricane Irma.
NASCAR has postponed the race at Daytona on Sunday due to rain.
During the Wawa 250, Getty AJ Allmendinger (left) leads the Xfinity Series drivers.
On Friday, Aug. 27, the NASCAR Xfinity Series drivers arrived at Daytona International Speedway for the Wawa 250. They quickly returned to their trucks, though. Due to heavy rain, NASCAR had to postpone the race to Saturday, August 28.
After just 19 circuits, the race was called off. During the competition caution, rain started to pour, forcing the drivers to return to pit road. While the track workers tried to dry the racing surface, the pit staff covered the vehicles. They made some progress at initially, but the rain became more intense, prompting NASCAR to postpone the race.
On Saturday, Aug. 28, at 12:30 p.m. ET, the Wawa 250 will continue. As the Xfinity Series drivers compete for the checkered flag and a possible playoff berth, NBC Sports will continue to broadcast coverage. On NBC, the Coke Zero Sugar 400 Cup Series race will begin at 7 p.m. ET.
Before the rain, JR Motorsports put on a show.
AJ Allmendinger of Kaulig Racing started the Wawa 250 from the pole position. He surged to the head of the pack after leading the field to the green flag. However, he was soon challenged by a member of the four-car JR Motorsports stable.
Noah Gragson, the driver of the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro and the winner of the season-opening race at Daytona in 2020, began the race in second place but quickly moved to the lead thanks to a clever pass and some assistance from teammate Justin Allgaier. Though Allmendinger reclaimed the lead after passing Gragson in the inside lane.
The driver of the No. 9 overtook Allmendinger once again just before the lap 15 competition caution. He rushed to the head of the group and started blocking both lanes almost immediately. Gragson remained in first place until the yellow flag flew, demonstrating his prowess on superspeedways.
Gragson, on the other hand, will restart 21st when the Wawa 250 resumes on Saturday, Aug. 28. During the competition caution, he went to the pits for tires and fuel, putting him to the middle of the pack with Riley Herbst of Stewart-Haas Racing.
Early in the Playoffs, a Playoff Contender
Brandon Jones of Joe Gibbs Racing qualified 87 points above of the playoff cut line for the Wawa 250. On Aug. 21, he matched for his highest result of the season by finishing second behind race winner AJ Allmendinger at Michigan International Speedway. Jones still stated a desire to win at Daytona International Speedway, despite this performance giving him some breathing space.
The race was unfortunately cut short for the JGR driver. Debris fell on the No. 19 Toyota Supra’s grill, causing the water temperature to increase and steam to emerge from under the hood.
Jones went down pit road to let the crew to remove the debris from the grill, which caused him to lose a lap. During the competition caution, he was given a free pass and returned to the lead lap, although he did not stay with his teammates. Prior to the red flag for rain, Jones went to the garage due to engine problems.
The race will resume on Saturday, but Jones will not be able to participate. He finished 40th at Daytona International Speedway and will attempt to recover on September 4 at Darlington Raceway.
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