Gibbs took on the reigning Cup Series champion and prevailed in a thrilling battle during NASCAR Overtime.
In claiming his eighth career NXS victory and fourth of the season, Gibbs beat one of the best drivers the Cup Series has to offer.
“I feel like we were a little bit faster in the first half of the track – the last two sectors, I feel like we were not as fast,” Gibbs told NBC Sports post-race. “I feel like I need to learn respect back. That’s what I’m doing. I feel like I’ve gotten my lessons, so I’ve just got to learn and not make mistakes.”
Josh Berry finished third, followed by Austin Hill, Brandon Jones, AJ Allmendinger, Riley Herbst, Noah Gragson, Jeremy Clements, and Ryan Sieg to round out the top-ten.
Stage 1
Larson led the race from the initial start after securing pole position. He, Gibbs and Custer were the show for the majority of the race.
While the reigning Cup Series champion led the way early, Gibbs and Custer went back-and-forth for the rights to second-place.
Tyler Reddick was penalized for driving through too many pit boxes during a green-flag pit stop, putting him deep in the field.
Anthony Alfredo and Andy Lally went spinning after contact, but the first caution of the race didn’t fly until Brett Moffitt got stuck in the gravel trap.
The stage would end under yellow flag conditions. Larson led Gibbs, Custer, Herbst, B. Jones, Gragson, Mayer, Clements, Bilicki, and Allmendinger.
Stage 2
Gibbs and teammate Jones were among a group of drivers who stayed out, and led the way for the start of Stage 2. Larson restarted back in 16th.
AJ Allmendinger, who started from the last row and was among those who stayed out during the stage break, snatched the lead with an outside pass into Turn 5. However, Gibbs took it back soon after.
Back in the pack, Sam Mayer found himself off-track and taking a detour through the gravel while Alfredo cut down a tire and was forced to limp it back to the pits.
Gibbs and the other drivers who stayed out during the first stage break were all forced to pit under green, allowing Larson to easily take the stage victory.
He was followed by Creed, Custer, Nemechek, Allgaier, Smith, Herbst, Clements, Gragson, and Labbe.
Stage 3
Larson continued to lead while Gibbs restarted back in tenth for the start of the final stage.
The green-running did not last long. A tense battle for position between Noah Gragson and Sage Karam ended with Gragson turning Karam on a straightaway. The result…
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