2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship Race

2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship Race
Race details
Race 33 of 33 of the 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series
Date November 4, 2023
Official name 25th Annual NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship Race
Location Phoenix Raceway, Avondale, Arizona
Course Permanent racing facility
1 mi (1.6 km)
Distance 202 laps, 202 mi (325 km)
Scheduled Distance 200 laps, 200 mi (320 km)
Average speed 90.527 mph (145.689 km/h)
Pole position
Driver Joe Gibbs Racing
Time 27.153
Most laps led
Driver Cole Custer Stewart–Haas Racing
Laps 96
Winner
No. 00 Cole Custer Stewart–Haas Racing
Television in the United States
Network USA
Announcers Rick Allen, Jeff Burton, Steve Letarte, and Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Radio in the United States
Radio MRN

The 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship Race was the 33rd and final stock car race of the 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series, the Championship 4 race, and the 25th iteration of the event. The race was held on Saturday, November 4, 2023, in Avondale, Arizona at Phoenix Raceway, a 1 mile (1.6 km) permanent tri-oval shaped racetrack. The race was originally scheduled to be contested over 200 laps, but was increased to 202 laps, due to a NASCAR overtime finish. In a wild overtime restart, Cole Custer, driving for Stewart–Haas Racing, took advantage of the lead, and held off the rest of the field to earn his 13th career NASCAR Xfinity Series win, and his third of the season. Custer also dominated the race, winning the second stage and leading a race-high 96 laps.[1] To fill out the podium, Sheldon Creed, driving for Richard Childress Racing, and Justin Allgaier, driving for JR Motorsports, finished 2nd and 3rd, respectively.

In addition to winning the race, Custer also claimed the 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series championship, finishing in two positions ahead of his closest competitor, Justin Allgaier. This was the first championship for Custer after previously finishing second in the standings from 2018 to 2019, and the first championship for Stewart–Haas Racing in the Xfinity Series.[2] Sam Mayer finished in fifth and ranked third in the championship. John Hunter Nemechek had dominated the early stages of the race, leading 66 laps and winning the first stage. He ultimately hit the wall on the final lap and finished 28th while running in the top five; he finished fourth in the championship.[3]

  1. ^ Srigley, Joseph (November 4, 2023). "Cole Custer Thrives in Overtime to Win 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  2. ^ "Cole Custer wins 2023 Xfinity Series championship". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. November 4, 2023. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
  3. ^ "Nemechek's Strong Run at the Championship Not Enough in Phoenix". Speedway Digest. November 4, 2023. Retrieved November 4, 2023.