2017 O'Reilly Auto Parts 300 explained

Type:NASXFIN
Car:20
Avg:133.862mph
Race Name:O'Reilly Auto Parts 300
Official Name:13th Annual O'Reilly Auto Parts 300
Announcers:Rick Allen, Jeff Burton, Steve Letarte
Radio:Performance Racing Network
Network:NBCSN
First Team:Joe Gibbs Racing
Most Team:Joe Gibbs Racing
First Driver:Erik Jones
Most Driver:Erik Jones
Most Laps:142
Pole Team:Joe Gibbs Racing
Location:Fort Worth, Texas, Texas Motor Speedway
Pole Driver:Erik Jones
Course Km:2.41
Course Mi:1.5
Scheduled Mi:300
Distance Laps:200
Scheduled Laps:200
Distance Km:482.803
Scheduled Km:482.803
Year:2017
Pole Time:28.232
Distance Mi:300
Date:November 4
Race No:31
Season No:33

The 2017 O'Reilly Auto Parts 300 was the 31st stock car race of the 2017 NASCAR Xfinity Series season, the second race of the Round of 8, and the 13th iteration of the event. The race was held on Saturday, November 4, 2017, in Fort Worth, Texas, at Texas Motor Speedway, a 1.5 miles (2.4 km) permanent tri-oval shaped racetrack. The race took the scheduled 200 laps to complete. At race's end, Erik Jones, driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, would dominate the race to win his ninth career NASCAR Xfinity Series victory and his third and final victory of the season.[1] To fill out the podium, Ryan Blaney, driving for Team Penske, and Kyle Larson, driving for Chip Ganassi Racing, would finish second and third, respectively.

Background

Texas Motor Speedway is a speedway located in the northernmost portion of the U.S. city of Fort Worth, Texas – the portion located in Denton County, Texas. The track measures 1.5 miles (2.4 km) around and is banked 24 degrees in the turns, and is of the oval design, where the front straightaway juts outward slightly. The track layout is similar to Atlanta Motor Speedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway (formerly Lowe's Motor Speedway). The track is owned by Speedway Motorsports, Inc., the same company that owns Atlanta and Charlotte Motor Speedway, as well as the short-track Bristol Motor Speedway.

Entry list

DriverTeamMakeSponsor
0Garrett SmithleyJD MotorsportsChevroletFlex Shot
00Cole Custer (R)Stewart-Haas RacingFordHaas Automation
1Elliott SadlerJR MotorsportsChevroletDale's Pale Ale
01Harrison RhodesJD MotorsportsChevroletFlex Tape
2Austin Dillon (i)Richard Childress RacingChevroletRheem
3Ty Dillon (i)Richard Childress RacingChevroletBass Pro Shops, Tracker Boats
4Ross ChastainJD MotorsportsChevroletFlex Seal
5Michael AnnettJR MotorsportsChevroletPilot Flying J
7Justin AllgaierJR MotorsportsChevroletDegree
07Spencer BoydSS-Green Light RacingChevroletGrunt Style "This We'll Defend"
8B. J. McLeodB. J. McLeod MotorsportsChevroletBooty Queen Apparel, Tattered Flag Project
9William Byron (R)JR MotorsportsChevroletLiberty University
11Blake KochKaulig RacingChevroletLeafFilter Gutter Protection
13John JacksonMBM MotorsportsDodgeMBM Motorsports
14J. J. YeleyTriStar MotorsportsToyotaSuperior Essex, United Way
15Reed Sorenson (i)JD MotorsportsChevroletJD Motorsports
16Ryan ReedRoush Fenway RacingFordLilly Diabetes
18Christopher Bell (i)Joe Gibbs RacingToyotaSafelite AutoGlass
19Matt Tifft (R)Joe Gibbs RacingToyotaFanatics
20Erik Jones (i)Joe Gibbs RacingToyotaGameStop,
21Daniel Hemric (R)Richard Childress RacingChevroletBlue Gate Bank
22Ryan Blaney (i)Team PenskeFordDiscount Tire
23Spencer Gallagher (R)GMS RacingChevroletAllegiant Air
24Dylan LuptonJGL RacingToyotaNut Up
33Brandon JonesRichard Childress RacingChevroletRain-X, Advance Auto Parts
38Jeff GreenRSS RacingChevroletRSS Racing
39Ryan SiegRSS RacingChevroletRV General Store
40Timmy HillMBM MotorsportsChevroletCrashClaimsR.Us, Chris Kyle Memorial Benefits
42Kyle Larson (i)Chip Ganassi RacingChevroletEneos
48Brennan PooleChip Ganassi RacingChevroletDC Solar
51Jeremy ClementsJeremy Clements RacingChevroletRepairableVehicles.com
52Joey GaseJimmy Means RacingChevroletEternal Fan, Chuckwagon
62Brendan GaughanRichard Childress RacingChevroletSouth Point Hotel, Casino & Spa
74Mike HarmonMike Harmon RacingDodgeRemembering Danny Dietz
78Angela RuchB. J. McLeod MotorsportsChevroletGive A Child A Voice, MI Windows
89Morgan ShepherdShepherd Racing VenturesChevroletRacing with Jesus, Visone RV
90Mario GosselinKing AutosportChevroletBucked Up Apparel
92Josh WilliamsKing AutosportChevroletKing Autosport
93Gray Gaulding (i)RSS RacingChevroletRSS Racing
99David StarrBJMM with SS-Green Light RacingChevroletWhataburger
Official entry list

Practice

First practice

The first practice session was held on Friday, November 3, at 2:00 PM CST. The session would last for 45 minutes.[2] Blake Koch, driving for Kaulig Racing, would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 28.519 and an average speed of 189.347mph.[3]

Pos.DriverTeamMakeTimeSpeed
111Blake KochKaulig RacingChevrolet28.519189.347
221Daniel Hemric (R)Richard Childress RacingChevrolet28.806187.461
342Kyle Larson (i)Chip Ganassi RacingChevrolet28.823187.350
Full first practice results

Second and final practice

The final practice session, sometimes known as Happy Hour, was held on Friday, November 3, at 4:00 PM CST. The session would last for 55 minutes. Kyle Larson, driving for Chip Ganassi Racing, would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 28.327 and an average speed of 190.631mph.[4]

During the session, Richard Childress Racing driver Daniel Hemric wrecked in turn four, ending the practice session 15 minutes early.[5]

Pos.DriverTeamMakeTimeSpeed
142Kyle Larson (i)Chip Ganassi RacingChevrolet28.327190.631
222Ryan Blaney (i)Team PenskeFord28.649188.488
320Erik Jones (i)Joe Gibbs RacingToyota28.657188.436
Full Happy Hour practice results

Qualifying

Qualifying was held on Saturday, November 4, at 5:05 PM CST. Since Texas Motor Speedway is under 2 miles (3.2 km) in length, the qualifying system was a multi-car system that included three rounds. The first round was 15 minutes, where every driver would be able to set a lap within the 15 minutes. Then, the second round would consist of the fastest 24 cars in Round 1, and drivers would have 10 minutes to set a lap. Round 3 consisted of the fastest 12 drivers from Round 2, and the drivers would have 5 minutes to set a time. Whoever was fastest in Round 3 would win the pole.[6]

Erik Jones, driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, would win the pole after setting a time of 28.232 and an average speed of 191.272mph in the third round.[7]

No drivers would fail to qualify.

Full qualifying results

Pos.DriverTeamMakeTime (R1)Speed (R1)Time (R2)Speed (R2)Time (R3)Speed (R3)
120Erik Jones (i)Joe Gibbs RacingToyota28.805187.46728.433189.92028.232191.272
200Cole Custer (R)Stewart-Haas RacingFord28.774187.66928.542189.19528.406190.101
319Matt Tifft (R)Joe Gibbs RacingToyota28.721188.01628.472189.66028.428189.954
422Ryan Blaney (i)Team PenskeFord28.899186.85828.620188.67928.436189.900
51Elliott SadlerJR MotorsportsChevrolet28.871187.03928.482189.59328.473189.653
621Daniel Hemric (R)Richard Childress RacingChevrolet28.993186.25228.639188.55428.486189.567
72Austin Dillon (i)Richard Childress RacingChevrolet29.034185.98928.512189.39428.500189.474
818Christopher Bell (i)Joe Gibbs RacingToyota28.890186.91628.498189.48728.526189.301
99William Byron (R)JR MotorsportsChevrolet28.665188.38328.539189.21528.536189.235
1042Kyle Larson (i)Chip Ganassi RacingChevrolet28.884186.95528.534189.24828.635188.580
1133Brandon JonesRichard Childress RacingChevrolet29.037185.97028.710188.08828.755187.793
1248Brennan PooleChip Ganassi RacingChevrolet29.035185.98228.691188.21228.832187.292
Eliminated in Round 2
137Justin AllgaierJR MotorsportsChevrolet28.977186.35528.732187.944--
143Ty Dillon (i)Richard Childress RacingChevrolet29.051185.88028.742187.878--
1516Ryan ReedRoush Fenway RacingFord29.060185.82228.818187.383--
1623Spencer Gallagher (R)GMS RacingChevrolet28.940186.59328.822187.357--
1711Blake KochKaulig RacingChevrolet29.078185.70728.846187.201--
185Michael AnnettJR MotorsportsChevrolet29.334184.08728.846187.201--
1962Brendan GaughanRichard Childress RacingChevrolet29.089185.63728.887186.935--
2039Ryan SiegRSS RacingChevrolet29.236184.70429.038185.963--
2114J. J. YeleyTriStar MotorsportsToyota29.190184.99529.064185.797--
228B. J. McLeodB. J. McLeod MotorsportsChevrolet29.425183.51729.136185.338--
2324Dylan LuptonJGL RacingToyota29.252184.60329.144185.287--
244Ross ChastainJD MotorsportsChevrolet29.300184.300----
Eliminated in Round 1
2551Jeremy ClementsJeremy Clements RacingChevrolet29.551182.735----
260Garrett SmithleyJD MotorsportsChevrolet29.701181.812----
2738Jeff GreenRSS RacingChevrolet29.713181.739----
2852Joey GaseJimmy Means RacingChevrolet29.872180.771----
2915Reed Sorenson (i)JD MotorsportsChevrolet30.026179.844----
3093Gray Gaulding (i)RSS RacingChevrolet30.064179.617----
3199David StarrBJMM with SS-Green Light RacingChevrolet30.091179.456----
3201Harrison RhodesJD MotorsportsChevrolet30.225178.660----
3390Mario GosselinKing AutosportChevrolet30.289178.283----
Qualified by owner's points
3440Timmy HillMBM MotorsportsChevrolet30.572176.632----
3578Angela RuchB. J. McLeod MotorsportsChevrolet30.967174.379----
3607Spencer BoydSS-Green Light RacingChevrolet31.077173.762----
3774Mike HarmonMike Harmon RacingDodge31.115173.550----
3892Josh WilliamsKing AutosportChevrolet31.172173.232----
3989Morgan ShepherdShepherd Racing VenturesChevrolet31.611170.827----
4013John JacksonMBM MotorsportsDodge31.915169.199----
Official qualifying results
Official starting lineup

Race results

Stage 1 Laps: 45

Pos.DriverTeamMakePts
120Erik Jones (i)Joe Gibbs RacingToyota0
242Kyle Larson (i)Chip Ganassi RacingChevrolet0
31Elliott SadlerJR MotorsportsChevrolet8
422Ryan Blaney (i)Team PenskeFord0
519Matt Tifft (R)Joe Gibbs RacingToyota6
618Christopher Bell (i)Joe Gibbs RacingToyota0
79William Byron (R)JR MotorsportsChevrolet4
848Brennan PooleChip Ganassi RacingChevrolet3
97Justin AllgaierJR MotorsportsChevrolet2
1021Daniel Hemric (R)Richard Childress RacingChevrolet1
Stage 2 Laps: 45
Pos.DriverTeamMakePts
120Erik Jones (i)Joe Gibbs RacingToyota0
242Kyle Larson (i)Chip Ganassi RacingChevrolet0
348Brennan PooleChip Ganassi RacingChevrolet8
41Elliott SadlerJR MotorsportsChevrolet7
519Matt Tifft (R)Joe Gibbs RacingToyota6
621Daniel Hemric (R)Richard Childress RacingChevrolet5
700Cole Custer (R)Stewart-Haas RacingFord4
822Ryan Blaney (i)Team PenskeFord0
99William Byron (R)JR MotorsportsChevrolet2
1062Brendan GaughanRichard Childress RacingChevrolet1
Stage 3 Laps: 110
Fin[8] StDriverTeamMakeLapsLedStatusPts
1120Erik Jones (i)Joe Gibbs RacingToyota200142running0
2422Ryan Blaney (i)Team PenskeFord20034running0
31042Kyle Larson (i)Chip Ganassi RacingChevrolet2004running0
451Elliott SadlerJR MotorsportsChevrolet2000running48
5200Cole Custer (R)Stewart-Haas RacingFord2000running36
6818Christopher Bell (i)Joe Gibbs RacingToyota2000running0
71248Brennan PooleChip Ganassi RacingChevrolet2000running41
8319Matt Tifft (R)Joe Gibbs RacingToyota2000running41
999William Byron (R)JR MotorsportsChevrolet20017running34
1072Austin Dillon (i)Richard Childress RacingChevrolet2000running0
11137Justin AllgaierJR MotorsportsChevrolet2000running28
12185Michael AnnettJR MotorsportsChevrolet1991running25
131711Blake KochKaulig RacingChevrolet1990running24
14621Daniel Hemric (R)Richard Childress RacingChevrolet1990running29
151623Spencer Gallagher (R)GMS RacingChevrolet1990running22
16143Ty Dillon (i)Richard Childress RacingChevrolet1992running0
171962Brendan GaughanRichard Childress RacingChevrolet1990running21
182114J. J. YeleyTriStar MotorsportsToyota1990running19
19244Ross ChastainJD MotorsportsChevrolet1990running18
202039Ryan SiegRSS RacingChevrolet1990running17
212324Dylan LuptonJGL RacingToyota1980running16
222551Jeremy ClementsJeremy Clements RacingChevrolet1980running15
231516Ryan ReedRoush Fenway RacingFord1980running14
24260Garrett SmithleyJD MotorsportsChevrolet1980running13
253201Harrison RhodesJD MotorsportsChevrolet1960running12
26228B. J. McLeodB. J. McLeod MotorsportsChevrolet1960running11
272852Joey GaseJimmy Means RacingChevrolet1960running10
283390Mario GosselinKing AutosportChevrolet1950running9
293607Spencer BoydSS-Green Light RacingChevrolet1910running8
303440Timmy HillMBM MotorsportsChevrolet1880running7
313199David StarrBJMM with SS-Green Light RacingChevrolet1590running6
323774Mike HarmonMike Harmon RacingDodge1040suspension5
333093Gray Gaulding (i)RSS RacingChevrolet650vibration0
343892Josh WilliamsKing AutosportChevrolet620electrical3
351133Brandon JonesRichard Childress RacingChevrolet600crash2
362915Reed Sorenson (i)JD MotorsportsChevrolet520electrical0
372738Jeff GreenRSS RacingChevrolet500vibration1
383578Angela RuchB. J. McLeod MotorsportsChevrolet470crash1
393989Morgan ShepherdShepherd Racing VenturesChevrolet250handling1
404013John JacksonMBM MotorsportsDodge70fuel pump1
Official race results

Standings after the race

Drivers' Championship standings
PosDriverPoints
21Elliott Sadler3,103
2William Byron3,098 (-5)
23Justin Allgaier3,094 (-9)
4Brennan Poole3,079 (–24)
5Matt Tifft3,074 (–29)
26Cole Custer3,066 (-37)
7Daniel Hemric3,061 (-42)
28Ryan Reed3,046 (-57)
9Brendan Gaughan2,124 (-979)
10Michael Annett2,106 (-997)
111Blake Koch2,083 (-1,020)
112Jeremy Clements2,079 (-1,024)
Official driver's standings

Notes and References

  1. Web site: November 5, 2017 . Erik Jones completes Texas sweep with NASCAR XFINITY win . July 28, 2022 . Jayski's NASCAR Silly Season Site . en-US.
  2. Web site: November 6, 2017 . 2017 NASCAR XFINITY Texas Race Info . July 28, 2022 . ESPN.com . en.
  3. Web site: Bonkowski . Jerry . November 3, 2017 . Blake Koch fastest in first of 2 Xfinity practices at Texas Motor Speedway . July 28, 2022 . NASCAR Talk NBC Sports . en-US.
  4. Web site: Bonkowski . Jerry . November 3, 2017 . Kyle Larson fastest in crash-shortened Xfinity practice at Texas . July 28, 2022 . NASCAR Talk NBC Sports . en-US.
  5. Web site: Schrote . Jesse . November 4, 2017 . Xfinity practice cut short after wreck sends debris on the track . July 28, 2022 . Alt Driver . en-US.
  6. Web site: February 7, 2018 . NASCAR Qualifying Rules . November 12, 2021 . ESPN.com . en.
  7. Web site: Bonkowski . Jerry . November 4, 2017 . Erik Jones cruises to pole for tonight's Xfinity race at Texas . July 28, 2022 . NASCAR Talk NBC Sports . en-US.
  8. Web site: 2017 O'Reilly Auto Parts Challenge - The Third Turn . July 28, 2022 . The Third Turn . en.