Phoenix, AZ – The NASCAR Xfinity Series returned to Phoenix Raceway on Saturday, March 8, 2025, for an electrifying edition of the GOVX 200, a race that extended into overtime and honored military veterans and active-duty service members. Named after GOVX, a company dedicated to providing exclusive deals and services to veterans, this event carried a deeper significance, with proceeds supporting veteran assistance programs.
Stage 1: Bowman Takes the Early Lead:
The race, structured in three stages, saw Alex Bowman in the No. 17 Hendrick Motorsports car start from the pole position. He dominated the early laps, lapping traffic by Lap 24, with Aric Almirola (No. 19, Joe Gibbs Racing) close behind in second. Justin Allgaier, Connor Zilisch, and Sheldon Creed rounded out the top five by the conclusion of Stage 1 at Lap 45.
However, trouble struck for Zilisch (No. 88) on pit road when he miscalculated his entry, brushing the wall and losing crucial time. His struggles dropped him to 21st place, demonstrating just how costly minor mistakes could be.
Stage 2: Lead Swaps and a Multi-Car Wreck:
At the start of Stage 2, Almirola surged ahead of Bowman in Turn 2, leading his first lap of the race. Shortly after, Anthony Alfredo (No. 42, Young’s Motorsports) triggered a caution and headed directly to the garage, ending his race early.
Another caution followed when Austin Hill (No. 21, Richard Childress Racing) misjudged Turn 3 and collided with Sheldon Creed and Dean Thompson, forcing all three drivers out of the race. Hill took full responsibility, calling it “the dumbest move I’ve ever made in racing.”
Despite the chaos, Allgaier found his groove and claimed the Stage 2 victory. The battle between him, Almirola, and Bowman continued to intensify as the race wore on.
Final Stage: A Dramatic Finish in Overtime:
With 100 laps to go, Allgaier remained the leader. Almirola briefly took over at Lap 144, but Allgaier quickly regained control at Lap 146. Then, another caution emerged on Lap 147 when Dawson Cram (No. 74, Mark Harmon Racing) made contact with Sammy Smith (No. 8, JR Motorsports) due to a flat right rear tire.
With four laps remaining, yet another caution struck when Nick Leitz (No. 07, SS Green Light Racing) spun near the start/finish line. This caution forced the GOVX 200 into overtime, marking the fourth consecutive Xfinity Series race at Phoenix Raceway to go into extra laps.
During the final restart, Allgaier chose the inside lane while Almirola lined up on the outside. As they entered Turn 2, Allgaier slid up the track, pushing Almirola wider, which allowed Bowman to take the lead on the backstretch. However, in Turn 3, Almirola dived underneath Bowman, and as they exited Turn 4, Bowman got loose after slight contact and hit the wall, ending his chances for victory.
Almirola defended his move, saying, “I wasn’t going to crash him—that’s not how I race. But I needed to make him loose, and I was able to do that.”
Almirola Seals the Win:
With a combination of strategy, patience, and aggressive racing, Aric Almirola secured his first Xfinity Series win of the season. His team executed flawless pit stops, and he remained composed through multiple restarts to capitalize on the opportunities presented by the late cautions.
“The team did an amazing job today,” Almirola said post-race. “Phoenix is a tough track, and we stayed consistent. Winning a race dedicated to veterans and active military makes this even more special.”
Looking Ahead:
With this victory, Almirola gains valuable momentum as the season continues. His strong performance at Phoenix boosts his confidence and standings in the Xfinity Series, positioning him as a formidable contender moving forward.
Next up, the Xfinity Series heads to Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 15, 2025, where drivers will once again battle for supremacy on the high-speed oval.
