Justin Allgaier wins NASCAR O'Reilly race at Phoenix

Veteran driver takes victory, moves into championship lead

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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In a race dominated by younger drivers, 39-year-old Justin Allgaier emerged victorious at the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series race in Phoenix. This win vaulted Allgaier into the championship lead as he seeks his second title in the series.

Why it matters

Allgaier's victory showcases the experience and skill of veteran drivers in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series, where younger talent has been on the rise. This win puts Allgaier in a strong position to contend for the championship.

The details

Allgaier took the lead late in the race after a caution flag and held on for the victory. He was able to overcome an early pit stop issue to claim his 29th career win in the series. The race featured several lead changes and close battles, particularly between Allgaier, Jesse Love, and Sheldon Creed.

  • The race took place on Saturday night, March 8, 2026.
  • Allgaier took the lead with around 40 laps to go after a caution flag.

The players

Justin Allgaier

A 39-year-old veteran driver who won the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series race in Phoenix, moving him into the championship lead.

Andrew Overstreet

The new crew chief for Allgaier's team in 2026.

Jesse Love

The reigning NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series champion, who finished second in the race.

Sheldon Creed

A driver who led the race late but faded to fourth place.

Sam Mayer

A driver who briefly took the lead during the race before finishing fifth.

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What they’re saying

“Just so proud of this team. Andrew [Overstreet, new crew chief for 2026] has done a great job taking over. He'd been telling me all week that this is our house and we're going to go take it. It wasn't for lack of adversity, but it seems like those ones are really the ones that are great for us. Really proud of this team. We had an issue on that first pit stop and these boys rebounded.”

— Justin Allgaier (Yahoo Sports)

What’s next

The next race in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series will take place on March 22, 2026 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

The takeaway

Allgaier's victory at Phoenix demonstrates that veteran drivers can still compete at the highest level in NASCAR, even as younger talent continues to emerge. His ability to overcome adversity and rally his team to victory will make him a formidable contender for the series championship.