NASCAR Ford Mustang Teams Short At The Line In Xfinity Talladega: Video

On paper, having two NASCAR Ford drivers finish on the podium during the Xfinity Series race at Talladega on October 5^th, 2024 is a fantastic result. The drivers themselves might have a different perspective, though – finishing second and third hurts just as bad as a finish outside the top 20.

Ryan Sieg, driver of the No. 39 Ford Mustang Dark Horse, and Riley Herbst, driver of the No. 98 Mustang, were in good position to win on NASCAR’s fastest track on Saturday. It was the first time the Xfinity Series had visited the track for a Playoffs race since 2022, and it certainly didn’t disappoint.

Herbst was in the lead with one lap left on the board with his fellow NASCAR Ford driver Sieg hot on his heels, but was passed by the No. 8 Chevy Camaro SS of Sammy Smith in the final corner of the race, who received a bump from the No. 81 Toyota TRD Supra of Chandler Smith. Sammy Smith shot ahead of the pack while Herbst dropped back, watching as he lost another position to Sieg just at the line.

Unsurprisingly, Herbst was upset after the race, and confronted Chandler Smith after the checkers waved.

“I was just telling [Chandler Smith], he had his teammate behind him and was in the best spot you want to be in and I told him he made a right move but in the wrong place,” Herbst said. “He would have won the race and all he did was kill his run, my run and his teammate’s run and let the 8 [Sammy Smith] get away.”

Kyle Sieg was the next-highest-finishing NASCAR Ford racer, bringing the No. 29 Mustang across the line 10^th. Meanwhile, Playoff hopeful Cole Custer finished 26^th after his No. 00 Mustang was swept up in a late-race wreck.

# – Rookie
i – Points ineligible
* – Part-time driver
P – Playoffs eligible