XFINITY: Jeb Burton Wins Among Chaos at Talladega
Credit: Savannah Shirey for Skirts and Scuffs
Jeb Burton earned his second career Xfinity Series victory on Saturday at Talladega Super Speedway, winning by .113 seconds over second-place Sheldon Creed.
Burton had to survive double overtime and an afternoon of continuous chaos and mayhem. The General Tires 200 saw almost a dozen cautions, multiple cars going airborne, and two red flags.
Burton, who won at this very track in the fall of 2022, secured the victory driving for Jordan Anderson Racing, which began its Xfinity racing operations in 2021 after several seasons in the Craftsman Truck Series.
“It’s been tough.” Burton said, “The last couple years just being in the right situation. Today, when I opened my eyes I told my buddy Ethan that I was coming here to win that race.”
“I just love racing at Talladega and Daytona, it’s a lot of fun. We should’ve won some other races, but those races I’ve lost I’ve learned a lot. I’ve just been really lucky to be in some good cars.”
Parker Kligerman finished third while Cole Custer and Brennan Poole rounded out the top five.
Caesar Bacarella crossed the finish line in sixth, with Parker Retzlaff in seventh, while Gray Gaulding, Joey Gase, and Josh Williams finished eighth through 10th place, respectively.
Credit: Savannah Shirey for Skirts and Scuffs
Blaine Perkins and Daniel Hemric took the biggest hits of the day in separate incident, their respective cars briefly going airborne and rolling several times,
Perkins, who made contact with Dexter Stacey on Lap 47, was taken to a local hospital for further evaluation. Hemric, who was contending for the lead at the time of his crash on Lap 111, walked away under his own power after his car was righted.
“I didn’t honestly think I was as far as out as I was and I tried to (come) back,” Hemric said after exiting the infield care center. “I feel like the move I made was late with the run (Sheldon Creed) had. Trying to find a way to win a speedway race.”
Cole Custer won the $100,000 Dash for Cash bonus in what could only be described as a process of elimination. His competitors for the bonus this weekend were Sammy Smith, John Hunter Nemechek, and Josh Berry – who were all taken out in crashes.
The Xfinity Series heads to Delaware next Saturday for the Shriners Children's 200 at Dover Motor Speedway at 1:30 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1.
Credit: Savannah Shirey for Skirts and Scuffs
XFINITY: Jeb Burton Wins Among Chaos at Talladega
Reviewed by Courtney Horn
on
Saturday, April 22, 2023
Rating: