Herbst wins with dramatic overtaking move on final lap

In recent years, both the Xfinity and Cup Series have been held at the Indy Road Course, but as part of the 30th anniversary of the first Brickyard 400, both series returned to the 2.5-mile oval layout this year.

Herbst and his Stewart-Haas Racing teammate Cole Custer were at the top of the field throughout the race and with two laps to go Custer had a small lead over Herbst.

As the two rode side by side entering the final lap, Almirola passed them both on the inside to take the lead.

Herbst recovered and stayed close behind Almirola. He came in at Turn 3 and passed Almirola – though he nearly spun in Turn 4 – and held on to beat a fast-approaching Custer by 0.167 seconds for the win.

The win is Herbst’s first of the 2024 season and puts him firmly in the playoffs. His first Xfinity Series win came just last year at his home track of Las Vegas.

“I thought I passed Cole, but I slowed us down and (Almirola) passed. But I knew I was better than him all day, so I just passed when I had the chance,” Herbst said. “I did everything I could to get the car going.

“I felt like it was almost a disadvantage to lead all day. When you lead, you get really tense. What a great day for SHR.

“It was my job to execute it, and we did it. The pit crew did a phenomenal job. That’s a great decision. It takes a lot to keep running on old tires, and they did it, and it worked.”

Asked about his short chance of victory, Almirola said: “

Phase 1

Herbst was among those who chose not to pit, and rode to a 2.040-second Stage 1 win over Allmendinger. Ryan Sieg was third, Brandon Jones fourth and Allmendinger fifth.

Allmendinger was three cars off the grid and hit Sam Mayer in Turn 3 on the opening lap, causing a multi-car accident that eventually involved eight cars, ending the day early for Mayer and Josh Berry.

Stage 2

After most teams were cautioned near the end of the stage, Ryan Sieg stayed out and held off Almirola by 0.168 seconds in a one-lap shootout to take the Stage 2 win. Herbst was third, Allmendinger fourth and Allgaier fifth.

Phase 3

After the break between Stages 2 and 3, a handful of cars chose to pit, but Almirola stayed on track and inherited the lead. He led Herbst and Allmendinger when the race resumed with 35 laps to go.

After Allmendinger briefly took the lead, Herbst moved three-wide to take the top spot shortly before Almirola spun, bringing out a caution. Herbst led Allmendinger and Custer when the race went green with 29 laps to go.

Allmendinger took the lead shortly after the restart.

With a push from Herbst, Custer passed Allmendinger on the outside to retake the lead on lap 76. Five laps later, Herbst passed Custer to retake the lead for himself.

On lap 84, contact from Dye sent Anthony Alfredo into the outside wall on the backstretch. Alfredo slowed dramatically and drifted across the track and into the path of Parker Retzlaff, who all collided with him, and Josh Williams who then hit Retzlaff.

During the caution, most of the cars on the lead lap pitted, but Herbst and Custer remained on the track and out front when the race resumed with 11 laps to go. Custer passed Herbst for the lead shortly after the restart.