Justin Allgaier delivered another late-race comeback March 7, charging past Jesse Love with 10 laps remaining to win the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Phoenix Raceway.
For much of the night, Allgaier’s No. 7 JR Motorsports Chevrolet was stuck working through traffic after a slow pit stop early in the final stage dropped him outside the top contenders. But as the laps wound down, the veteran methodically worked his way forward before finally tracking down Love and taking control of the race.
The victory marked Allgaier’s third O’Reilly win at Phoenix and the 29th of his career in NASCAR’s second-tier division. The result also pushed Allgaier into the championship points lead after four races, narrowly ahead of Richard Childress Racing drivers Love and Austin Hill.
In the end, it was Allgaier’s patience and experience that defined the night, once again proving that when the race enters its closing laps, the No. 7 team is rarely out of contention.
Justin Allgaier Rallies To Win O’Reilly Race at Phoenix
The victory also marked an early milestone for Allgaier and new crew chief Andrew Overstreet, who took over the No. 7 team this season after longtime crew chief Jim Pohlman departed for a NASCAR Cup Series role with RCR.
Despite the change atop the pit box, the results have remained familiar. Allgaier credited the team’s resilience for overcoming early mistakes and turning the night into a victory.
The Winners
Allgaier continues to prove that longevity and experience remain powerful weapons in the O’Reilly Series.
Saturday’s victory was not the result of early dominance. In fact, Allgaier spent most of the race chasing the leaders after a slow pit stop early in the final stage cost him valuable track position.
But Phoenix is a track where patience matters as much as speed.
Allgaier slowly chipped away at the deficit, managing his tires and working through traffic before finally closing the gap on Love. With 10 laps remaining, he made the decisive pass and drove away.
It’s the kind of performance that has defined Allgaier’s career in the series. Across nearly two decades, three title sponsors and multiple teams, he has remained one of the most consistent drivers in the garage.
When the race reaches the final run, few drivers in the series are more dangerous.
Carson Kvapil also continued to show why he is one of the most promising young drivers in the series.
The JR Motorsports rookie led 22 laps and finished third, consistently running near the front in a race dominated by veterans. Kvapil avoided trouble, managed his tires well and put himself in position to capitalize late.
For a young driver still gaining experience in the series, performances like this suggest he won’t remain winless for long.
The Losers
For Love, Phoenix will feel like a missed opportunity.
The RCR driver controlled most of the race, winning a stage and leading 114 laps. His No. 2 Chevrolet was clearly the fastest car for much of the night, but the late run belonged to Allgaier.
Love could only watch as the veteran tracked him down and took the lead with 10 laps remaining.
Finishing second after leading the majority of the race is never easy to accept, especially at a track where Love has been strong in the past.
Still, the bigger picture remains positive. Through four races this season, Love has consistently been one of the fastest drivers in the field and remains firmly in the championship fight.
Fuel for Thought
Allgaier’s Phoenix victory highlights just how remarkable his longevity has been in NASCAR’s second-tier series.
The win was the 29th of his career, spanning three different title sponsorship eras — Nationwide, Xfinity and now O’Reilly. Over that stretch, Allgaier has raced for organizations including Team Penske, Turner Scott Motorsports and JRM.
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Few drivers have maintained that level of relevance for nearly two decades.
Now leading the championship standings early in the 2026 season, Allgaier’s latest win suggests the veteran still has plenty left to accomplish.
Paint Scheme of the Week
When you think of who should take home the paint scheme of the week, you want to give it to the car that catches your eye every time it passes you. For Kyle Sieg’s No. 28 Tap Chevrolet, it was pretty hard to miss.
Where to Next?
The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series continues its West Coast swing next weekend as the series heads to Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the fifth race of the 2026 season. The race will take place Saturday, March 14, at 5:30 p.m. ET with coverage on The CW.
