On Friday night, rain shortened the race in the Craftsman Truck Series as a cold front moved through.  Saturday brings cooler temperatures and windy conditions as the Xfinity Series cars take to the track for a morning qualifying run in preparation of the Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner 300 later in the afternoon.

Forty-four teams brought cars to Daytona for 38 starting spots in the race; meaning six drivers will not make the race.  The top 33 cars will make the race on time.

Jake Buford was the first driver on the high banked track and posted a time of 49.649 seconds around the two and a half mile track.

Ryan Vargas was not able to make a qualifying run and as a result may not be able to run in the race.  Jesse Iwuji and Alex Labbe are also unable to make a qualifying run.

Riley Herbst and Justin Haley will be doing double duty this weekend driving in the Xfinity Series race and running the Daytona 500.

The Earnhardt name tops the list when it comes to wins at Daytona.  Dale Sr won 34 times at Daytona, Dale Jr has over a dozen Daytona wins as a driver and another seven as a car owner.  However, none of his current JR Motorsports drivers – Josh Berry, Justin Allgaier, Brandon Jones, and Sam Mayer – have won a race at Daytona.

After round one of qualifying the 10 drivers that will move on for round two and a run for the pole are:
Austin Hill
Daniel Hemric
Parker Kligerman
Anthony Alfredo
Sheldon Creed
Riley Herbst
Chandler Smith
Justin Allgaier
Cole Custer
John Hunter Nemechek

On the other side….
Timmy Hill
Alex Labbe
Dexter Stacey
Ryan Vargas
Josh Bilicki
Garrett Smithley
have failed to qualify for the race.

With a qualifying time of 49.298 seconds Austin Hill earns his second career pole and will bring the field to green.  Parker Kligerman will start alongside Hill on the front row.

The starting lineup for the Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner 300:
Austin Hill
Parker Kligerman
Cole Custer
Sheldon Creed
Justin Allgaier
Daniel Hemric
John Hunter Nemechek
Chandler Smith
Riley Herbst
Anthony Alfredo
Brandon Jones
Jade Buford
Myatt Snider
Sam Mayer
Sammy Smith
Parker Retzlaff
Caesar Bacarella
Josh Berry
Justin Haley
Jeb Burton
Brennan Poole
Ryan Sieg
Gray Gaulding
Jeffrey Earnhardt
Josh Williams
Kyle Sieg
Blaine Perkins
David Starr
Joe Graf Jr
Bayley Currey
CJ McLaughlin
Brett Moffitt
Kaz Grala
Jeremy Clements
Parker Chase
Ryan Ellis
Joey Gase
Jesse Iwuji

Blaine Perkins, Gray Gaulding, Kyle Sieg, and Joey Gase will all have to start the race from the back of the field after the crews made some unapproved adjustments to the cars fter qualifying.  Ryan Ellis will start the race from the back of the field after the crew made an engine change and the number 45 moves to the back of the field after Stefan Parsons takes over the driving duties form Caesar Bacarella.

Stages one and two of the race are 30 laps each with stage three lasting 60 laps for a total of 120 laps around the two and a half mile track.  The drivers can run around 46 laps on a single load of fuel.  While the drivers can complete the first two stages on a single load of fuel, they will have to make a pit stop during the third stage.

Joining Adam Alexander in the FOX broadcast booth for today’s race are Cup Series drivers, Daytona winners, and third generation drivers Ryan Blaney and Austin Dillon.

Jeb Burton had a dead battery before the race start and had to have it replaced prior to race start.

Defending race winner Austin Hill sits on the pole but has to come down pit road with a radio issue.  Hill loses his front row starting spot and will have to start the race from the back of the field.

Cole Custer moves up on the inside to sit on the front row with Parker Kligerman.  Cole Custer leads lap one.

Jap two, Justin Allgaier takes the lead with John Hunter Nemechek in second; Riley Herbst, Brandon Jones, and Daniel Hemric round out the top five.

Lap three, after starting the race from the back of the field, Austin Hill and Jeb Burton have entered the top 20.

JR Motorsports driver Justin Allgaier leads the race with new teammate Brandon Jones in second; John Hunter Nemechek, Daniel Hemric, and Riley Herbst round out the top five.

Lap five, Austin Hill has moved inside the top 15 in fourteenth place.

Lap six, Justin Allgaier and John Hunter Nemechek battle for the lead.  Nemechek on the outside lane takes the lead.

Lap seven, John Hunter Nemechek leads the race with Riley Herbst in second, Justin Allgaier, Cole Custer, and Justin Haley round out the top five.

Lap eight, Austin Hill has entered the top 10 in ninth place.

Lap eight Bayley Currey’s smoking car brings out the first caution flag of the day.

Some of the drivers came down pit road for fuel, but most stayed out on the track.

John Hunter Nemechek brings the field down for the green flag restart on lap 12 with Justin Allgaier on the inside.  After going side by side, Nemechek gets a push to take the lead but Justin Allgaier comes up on the inside to battle for the lead and gets out in front.

Lap 13, not content with second, John Hunter Nemechek continues to battle with Justin Allgaier for the lead; swapping it back and forth.

Lap 14, since having to start from the back of the field with a radio issue, Austin Hill has moved up to third place behind Justin Allgaier and John Hunter Nemechek.

Lap 15, halfway through stage one Justin Allgaier leads the race with Justin Haley in second; John Hunter Nemechek, Daniel Hemric, and Parker Kligerman rounding out the top five.

Lap 16 Justin Allgaier and John Hunter Nemechek continue their battle for the lead; swapping it back and forth.

Lap 19, the top five are Justin Allgaier, Justin Haley, Austin Hill, Chandler Smith, and John Hunter Nemechek.

The caution flag comes out on lap 20 after Blaine Perkins and Daniel Hemric make contact sending Perkins into the wall and across the track to come to a rest in the grass.  There is some damage to Daniel Hemric’s number eleven car.

Several of the drivers come down pit road for service with just seven laps remaining in stage one.  Leaders stay out.

With just five laps remaining in stage one, Justin Allgaier brings the field down for the green flag restart from the inside lane with Justin Haley on the outside.  Allgaier edges out in front for the lead but after a push, Haley makes it a side by side battle.  Justin Haley takes the lead.

Drivers are getting spread out through the field.

Lap 27, Austin Hill takes the lead after a push from Justin Allgaier.

Three laps remain in stage one; Austin Hill leads the race with Justin Allgaier in second; Jeb Burton, Chandler Smith, and Justin Haley round out the top five.

Austin Hill wins stage one after starting the race from the back of the field.

The top 10 at the end of stage one:
Austin Hill
Chandler Smith
Justin Allgaier
Jeb Burton
Justin Haley
Josh Berry
Sheldon Creed
John Hunter Nemechek
Myatt Snider
Sam Mayer

After their wreck, Daniel Hemric and Blaine Perkins are out of the race.

Drivers come down pit road for service.

After pitting during the caution flag for a wreck, Sheldon Creed leads the race and brings the field down for the green flag.

Lap 40, Sam Mayer has the elad with Sheldon Creed in second; Austin Hill, Parker Kligerman, and Riley Herbst round out the top five.

The caution flag comes out on lap 41 after a crash involving Justin Allgaier, Stefan Parsons, Sheldon Creed, and Parker Kligerman.  Kligerman and Creed made contact resulting in a spin.  Justin Haley, Ryan Ellis, and Austin Hill were also involved in the wreck.

With a 5pm EST start time, the race will finish under the light.  The lights are on but have not taken full effect yet.

Drivers involved in a crash are on the “crash clock” where they have just six minutes to make repairs and minimum speed.  Once minimum speed is met, the clock goes away…until the next crash.

Sam Mayer brings the field down for the green flag restart on lap 46 and gets out in front on the outside lane in front of new teammate Brandon Jones.  Parker Kligerman comes up on the inside to battle for the lead.

Lap 47, the top five are Sam Mayer, Brandon Jones, Riley Herbst, Ryan Sieg, and Jeb Burton.

Sheldon Creed is out of the race after the crash.

Lap 50, Sam Mayer holds on to the lead with Anthony Alfredo in second; Austin Hill, Brandon Jones, and Brett Moffitt round out the top five.

Austin Hill moves tup to battle Sam Mayer for the lead and takes the top spot.

Lap 52, all four of Dale Earnhardt Jr’s JR Motorsports cars are in the top 10 but it is is Austin Hill who leads the race.

The top five are Austin Hill, Anthony Alfredo, Brandon Jones, Sam Mayer, and Jade Buford.

Lap 53, Justin Allgaier takes the lead briefly on the inside lane.

Lap 54, Justin Allgaier and Austin Hill battle for the lead…again.

Five laps to go in stage two; Justin Allgaier leads the race, Sam Mayer, Austin Hill, Brett Moffitt, and Jeb Burton round out the top five.

Teammates Sam Mayer and Justin Allgaier battle for the lead with Austin Hill, Brett Moffitt, and Brandon Jones rounding out the top five.

Justin Allgaier wins stage two with Sam Mayer in second.

The top 10 at the end of stage two:
Justin Allgaier
Sam Mayer
Austin Hill
Brandon Jones
Brett Moffitt
Josh Berry?
Riley Herbst
John Hunter Nemechek
Cole Custer
Jeb Burton

At the end of stage two Sammy Smith spins out but doesn’t hit anything after some contact from Jeb Burton.  Anthony Alfredo was also involved.

Drivers come down pit road for service and adjustments.

Justin Allgaier brings the field down for the green flag start of stage three fully under the lights from the outside lane with Austin Hill on the inside on lap 66.  Austin Hill edges out for the lead after a push from John Hunter Nemechek.

Lap 68, with a little help form his teammates Justin Allgaier has the lead with Austin Hill in second; Josh Berry, Cole Custer, and Riley Herbst round out the top five.

Lap 70, Justin Allgaier drops to the inside and battle with Riley Herbst for the lead.  Drivers are getting in position to make their pit stops; making sure that they have pitting partners.

Lap 73, Justin Allgaier leads the race with Riley Herbst in second; Josh Berry, Austin Hill, and Cole Custer round out the top five.

With 46 laps remaining in the race the first group of crs come down pit road for service including the leaders.  Parker Kligerman spins out coming to pit road but gets it turned around and the track stays green.

With 45 laps to go, the remaining group of drivers comes down pit road for service.  The drivers can make it to the end of the race on fuel from here.

With 44 laps to go, the final few drivers come down pit road for service.

Josh Berry is the new leader.

Josh Berry leads the race with Austin Hill and Justin Allgaier behind him.

With 38 laps to go, Josh Berry has the lead; Austin Hill, Justin Allgaier, Sam Mayer, and Riley Herbst round out the top five. 

Lap 85, Josh Berry is in the lead with Austin Hill in second; Justin Allgaier, Sam Mayer, and Riley Herbst round out the top five but the second group of drivers has caught up to the first pack.

The sixth caution flag comes out on lap 89 when CJ McLaughlin spins out after hitting the wall.

There are 28 cars still on the lead lap with six cars out of the race.

Josh Berry brings the field down for the green flag restart from the outside lane with just 26 laps remaining in the race.  Berry has his teammates lined up behind him.  Austin Hill is on the inside lane.  After a push from behind, Austin Hill tales the lead.

Twenty-five to go, Austin Hill is out in front of Josh Berry; Justin Allgaier, Sam Mayer, and Riley Herbst round out the top five.

The JR Motorsports drivers have all lined up behind leader Austin Hill.

Twenty to go, Austin Hill leads the race with all four of the JR Motorsports round ing out the top five – Josh Berry, Justin Allgaier, Sam Mayer, and Brandon Jones.

There are 18 laps to go, the field is lined up in single file.

Fifteen to go, Austin Hill holds on to the lead looking for the back to back win; Josh Berry, Justin Allgaier, Sam Mayer, and Brandon Jones round out the top five.

Lap 109, Parker Kligerman and Jeffrey Earnhardt make contact and cut one of Earnhardt’s tires.  Earnhardt falls through the field but the track stays green.

Ten to go, The top five remains Austin Hill, Josh Berry, Justin Allgaier, Sam Mayer, and Brandon Jones.

Seven to go, Austin Hill holds on to his lead as the laps count down in anticipation of the JR Motorsports drivers making a big move.

Five to go, the drivers are still single file with Austin Hill in the lead.

Four to go, a couple of drivers  – Parker Kligerman and Riley Herbst – have dropped to the bottom looking to make a move forward.

Three to go, a few more drivers drop to the bottom lane.

Two to go, Justin Allgaier drops to the bottom, Brandon Jones makes a run through the grass and brings out the caution flag. 
The race goes into overtime.

Josh Berry drops through the field out of fuel.

Austin Hill brings the field down for the overtime shootout to the end with Justin Allgaier alongside with Justin Allgaier getting the lead after a push from Sam Mayer.  Drivers are three wide across the track.

Justin Allgaier takes the white flag but he is a little far out in front.

In an effort to take the lead, Sam Mayer makes contact with Justin Allgaier and ends up upside down before the car flips back on its wheels.  Parker Kligerman has some damage to his car.  David Starr and Anthony Alfredo were also involved.

The caution flag comes out – NASCAR will determine who was in the lead at the time the caution flag came out.  John Hunter Nemechek crossed the line first but he was below the double yellow “no go” line.  The drivers are sitting on the field waiting for the NASCAR officials decision.

Austin Hill is named the winner of the race for the second back to back winner of the weekend!

The unofficial results of the Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner 300:
Austin Hill
John Hunter Nemechek
Justin Allgaier
Parker Retzlaff
Myatt Snider
Riley Herbst
Jo Graf Jr
Ryan Sieg
Cole Custer
Justin Haley
Jeb Burton
Stefan Parsons
Chandler Smith
Josh Williams
Brandon Jones
Parker Chase
Jeremy Clements
Gray Gaulding
Joey Gase
Sammy Smith
Kyle Sieg
David Starr
Parker Kligerman
Anthony Alfredo
Jade Buford
Josh Berry
Sam Mayer
Jeffrey Earnhardt
Brett Moffitt
Jesse Iwuji
CJ McLaughlin
Kaz Grala
Brennan Poole
Stefan Parsons
Sheldon Creed
Ryan Ellis
Daniel Hemric
Blaine Perkins
Bayley Currey