Xfinity Files: Rinnai 250 at Atlanta

Welcome to Atlanta Motor Speedway for the second race of the 2019 NASCAR Xfinity Series season. Coming off the season opener at Daytona, drivers were ready to put the high banks behind them and tackle the rough racing surface at the first intermediate track on the schedule. A light mist of rain blanketed the speedway for most of the morning, creating a haze that drivers would have to deal with during the 163 laps of the Rinnai 250. Calling the action alongside Adam Alexander in the Fox Sports booth was Jimmie Johnson and defending race winner, Kevin Harvick.

STAGE 1

Credit: Brian Lawdermilk / Getty Images

Cole Custer rolled off the grid from the pole position, after having to start at the rear of the field last weekend. Custer earned the pole after qualifying was rained out. Defending Xfinity Series champion Tyler Reddick started 12th. The opening laps saw Christopher Bell take the lead where he remained through the first stage. Jeffrey Earnhardt progressed through the field to end the stage in seventh while Reddick finished fourth.

Drivers earning stage points:
Christopher Bell
Cole Custer
Justin Allgaier
Tyler Reddick
Brandon Jones
John Hunter Nemechek
Jeffrey Earnhardt
Austin Cendric
Ryan Preece
Chase Briscoe

During the caution following Stage 1, drivers visited pit road for service. Bell and Custer exited first, followed by Brandon Jones and Allgaier. Justin Haley and Micheal Annett bettered their positions during the four-tire stop and entered the top 10. Nemechek and Reddick lost several spots on pit road.

STAGE 2

Stage 2 saw the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota of Christopher Bell pull away from the field by nearly five seconds. The top 10 battled back and fourth through the 40-lap run with Reddick showing the biggest move forward. Jeffrey Earnhardt continued to impress in his JGR ride finishing fifth in the segment. 

Drivers earning stage points: 
Christopher Bell
Cole Custer
Tyler Reddick
Brandon Jones
Jeffrey Earnhardt
Austin Cendric
Michael Annett
Chase Briscoe
Ryan Preece
John Hunter Nemechek

After the stage-ending caution was brought out, drivers returned to pit road for the day's second round of pit stops. For the first time during the race, Bell lost the lead exiting third. Second-place stage finisher Custer lost eight positions. Brandon Jones, who exited first, earned a pit road speeding penalty, allowing Reddick to take the point.

FINAL STAGE

Allgaier was aggressive in the opening laps of the final stage, going three-wide on the restart. On Lap 92, Bell returned to the lead, where he stayed until green-flag stops began with 42 to go. Hoping for a caution, Noah Gragson took over the lead and had a 17-second advantage over the field as everyone else completed the pit cycle. Lady luck wasn't on Gragson's side and he had to pit, turning the lead back over to Bell. A spinning John Hunter Nemechek brought out the third caution of the day, with 8 laps to go. Drivers hit pit road for the fourth time and Reddick lost time when the air gun hose got stuck under the car. Custer and Bell fought it out during the final laps, with Bell earning his ninth career victory.

The final running order:

1. Bell
2. Custer
3. Allgaier
4. Jones
5. Reddick
6. Earnhardt
7. Preece
8. Haley
9. Gragson
10. Cindric
11. Sieg
12. Annett
13. Brown
14. Chastain
15. Nemechek
16. Briscoe
17. Gaulding
18. Smithley
19. Clements
20. Labbe
21. Williams
22. Currey
23. Black
24. McLeod
25. Leicht
26. Finchum
27. Starr
28. Hill
29. Gase
30. Mills
31. Martins
32. Miller 
33. Harmon
34. Bilicki
35. Shepherd
36. Green
37. Jackson

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Katy Lindamood is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Skirts and Scuffs. A fan of NASCAR for over 25 years, Katy works as a Department Manager for a major retailer and is currently pursing a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management at Bellevue University. Katy resides in Ashland, KY, with her husband of 14 years and their dog.