Hocevar and Nemechek advance into All-Star Race, Gragson wins Fan Vote

Carson Hocevar claimed victory after a two-tire call allowed him to take the lead. John Hunter Nemechek scored a runner-up finish, also racing his way into the big show.

“Super big for this group, this team,” said Hocevar. “It’s great to win, especially being challenged by tires there. I had my hands full. We definitely have to go to work here on our race car because I didn’t really like it, but it’s a good sign that we didn’t like it and we were still pretty quick there.”

As for Nemechek, he’s just excited to “have a shot to go win a million dollars. Hats off to this No. 42 team. We unloaded and we had good two — or three-lap speed, but no longer on pace. Proud of them for the effort they put in yesterday and what they were able to find, and pitting there at that last deal, I knew I couldn’t win from where I was at. We came and got two (tires) and that helped us out. Hats off to the whole 42 team. Proud of the effort.”

The first drivers out were Erik Jones in third, Ty Dillon in fourth, and Zane Smith in fifth. It was also a race of missed opportunities for pole-sitter Shane van Gisbergen, as well as Ryan Preece, who made a costly error under caution.

As for the Fan Vote, it was Noah Gragson who claimed the honor, taking the final spot in the grid for the All-Star Race.

“The fans are the GOATs. It’s awesome to be part of this All-Star Race,” said Gragson. “Thank God for that Open Race, because I feel like we got the balance fixed.”

Race recap

As the Open race got underway, van Gisbergen quickly drove away from the rest of the field. Gragson, who started third, fell back early after contact from John Hunter Nemechek. Gragson quickly faded out of contention after that.

Meanwhile, the battle for the second and final transfer spot was dramatic from the get-go as Spire Motorsport teammates Hocevar and McDowell doored each other.

In the back, Todd Gilliland was forced to pit under green with a flat tire. SVG remained unchallenged at the front of the field, leading until the pre-planned competition caution halfway through the race.

The running order saw a major shakeup as several drivers opted for two tires. Surprisingly, SVG did not and it proved costly, losing five spots on pit road. While he struggled to move forward, Preece, who also sacrificed some track position for four fresh tires, made some big moves.

He muscled his way by Gibbs for the second and final transfer spot and soon after, the caution flag flew for an incident involving Riley Herbst with just over 20 to go. A replay showed that he had some help from McDowell, who sent him into the outside wall.

Preece, who was second, ran over the choose box and was sent to the rear of the field as a result. It was a heartbreaking error for the No. 60 RFK Racing Ford, who claimed the box was difficult to see.

On the restart, Nemechek muscled his way by Wallace and took the final transfer spot by force. With no more yellows, this is how the race would end with Hocevar and Nemechek finishing 1-2.

After the checkered flag, SVG and Todd Gilliland got into it with some contact on the cool-down lap and a conversation on pit road later on.

Photos from All-Star Race