The 2020 UNOH 188 was the 19th stock car race of the 2020 NASCAR Xfinity Series season, and the inaugural running of the race, after the COVID-19 pandemic forced NASCAR to move the series' Watkins Glen International race, the Zippo 200, to the Daytona International Speedway road course, a 3.61 miles (5.81 km) permanent road course that uses part of the Daytona oval and infield road course.[1] The race was held on Saturday, August 15, 2021, in Daytona Beach, Florida at the Daytona International Speedway road course. Austin Cindric of Team Penske would continue his dominance of road courses of the years and win the race, leading 21 laps.[2] Brandon Jones of Joe Gibbs Racing and Noah Gragson of JR Motorsports would score the rest of the podium positions, finishing 2nd and 3rd, respectively.
| Race details | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Race 19 of 33 of the 2020 NASCAR Xfinity Series | |||
 | |||
| Date | August 15, 2020 | ||
| Official name | UNOH 188 | ||
| Location | Daytona Beach, Florida, Daytona International Speedway road course | ||
| Course |
Permanent racing facility 3.61 mi (5.81 km) | ||
| Distance | 52 laps, 185.12 mi (297.908 km) | ||
| Scheduled Distance | 52 laps, 185.12 mi (297.908 km) | ||
| Average speed | 81.894 miles per hour (131.796 km/h) | ||
| Pole position | |||
| Driver | Team Penske | ||
| Grid positions set by competition-based formula | |||
| Most laps led | |||
| Driver | Chase Briscoe | Stewart-Haas Racing | |
| Laps | 26 | ||
| Winner | |||
| No. 22 | Austin Cindric | Team Penske | |
| Television in the United States | |||
| Network | NBCSN | ||
| Announcers | Rick Allen, Jeff Burton, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Steve Letarte | ||
| Radio in the United States | |||
| Radio | Motor Racing Network | ||
On July 30, it was revealed after simulation testing revealed concerns of high speeds entering turn 1 (a turn already considered to be difficult among road racers), a temporary chicane was added in between the 4th turn of the oval and the entrance to pit road (similar to the Charlotte ROVAL). NASCAR further announced that it would use the high-downforce aero package used for the road course races in 2019 (in 2020, road courses were scheduled to use a low-downforce package similar to what was used in 2018 and what is used on ovals 1-mile or shorter in 2020). The addition of the chicane increased the length of the course from 3.56 to 3.61 miles and added a 13th and 14th turn to the original 12-turn layout.[3]
Background
editEntry list
edit*Driver changed to Bobby Reuse for the race.[4]
Starting lineup
editThe starting lineup was based on a formula based on the previous race, the 2020 Henry 180. As a result, Austin Cindric of Team Penske would win the pole.[5]
Race
editPre-race ceremonies
editRace recap
editPost-race driver comments
editRace results
editStage 1 Laps: 15
| Fin | # | Driver | Team | Make | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 22 | Austin Cindric | Team Penske | Ford | 10 |
| 2 | 9 | Noah Gragson | JR Motorsports | Chevrolet | 9 |
| 3 | 07 | Jade Buford | SS-Green Light Racing | Chevrolet | 8 |
| 4 | 18 | Riley Herbst | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | 7 |
| 5 | 21 | Earl Bamber | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 6 |
| 6 | 7 | Justin Allgaier | JR Motorsports | Chevrolet | 5 |
| 7 | 98 | Chase Briscoe | Stewart-Haas Racing | Ford | 4 |
| 8 | 68 | Brandon Brown | Brandonbilt Motorsports | Chevrolet | 3 |
| 9 | 1 | Michael Annett | JR Motorsports | Chevrolet | 2 |
| 10 | 02 | Andy Lally | Our Motorsports | Chevrolet | 1 |
Stage 2 Laps: 15
| Fin | # | Driver | Team | Make | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 98 | Chase Briscoe | Stewart-Haas Racing | Ford | 10 |
| 2 | 22 | Austin Cindric | Team Penske | Ford | 9 |
| 3 | 20 | Harrison Burton | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | 8 |
| 4 | 16 | A. J. Allmendinger | Kaulig Racing | Chevrolet | 7 |
| 5 | 02 | Andy Lally | Our Motorsports | Chevrolet | 6 |
| 6 | 36 | Preston Pardus | DGM Racing | Chevrolet | 5 |
| 7 | 21 | Earl Bamber | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 4 |
| 8 | 19 | Brandon Jones | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | 3 |
| 9 | 7 | Justin Allgaier | JR Motorsports | Chevrolet | 2 |
| 10 | 18 | Riley Herbst | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | 1 |
Stage 3 Laps: 22
References
edit- ^ Kelly, Godwin. "NASCAR Xfinity drivers buckle up for unpredictable Daytona Road Course". Daytona Beach News-Journal Online. Retrieved 2021-09-22.
- ^ Fleming, Ted (2020-08-16). "A historic day for Austin Cindric after XFINITY UNOH 188 win". Speedway Tribune. Retrieved 2021-09-22.
- ^ "NASCAR adds chicane for Daytona road course". RACER. 2020-07-30. Retrieved 2021-09-22.
- ^ Beard, Brock. "PREVIEW: Heavy hitters set to challenge NASCAR regulars during inaugural Daytona infield road course race". Retrieved 2021-09-22.
- ^ Tomlinson, Joy (2020-08-12). "Austin Cindric Wins Xfinity Pole At Daytona Road Course". www.frontstretch.com. Retrieved 2021-09-22.
- ^ "2020 UNOH 188 - The Third Turn". www.thethirdturn.com. Retrieved 2021-09-22.