LEXINGTON, Ohio – Regan Smith bumped his way past Alex Tagliani in the Carousel a turn from the finish Saturday to win the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.
Driving for JR Motorsports, Smith raced to his first victory of the year and fifth overall.
Tagliani and defending champion Chris Buescher had the two strongest cars early, but both elected to pit on the eighth lap when the first of a track-record eight cautions flew. The leaders pitted a final time just beyond the midway point on lap 43 during the fifth yellow.
Smith, second a year ago on the 2.258-mile road course, was an equal to Tagliani and Buescher at mid-race. He took over the lead in the pits, just beating Tagliani by a fender. Tagliani caught Smith on Lap 61, but the Canadian road racer couldn't hold him off on the last lap.
Ty Dillon was third, followed by Buescher and Chase Elliott.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.