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AVONDALE, Ariz. -- A tearful Darrell Wallace Jr. left the infield care center at Phoenix International Raceway on Saturday night, disappointed after a crash took him out of Chase contention and distraught over the loss of a cherished grandmother only days earlier.
The Roush Fenway Racing NASCAR XFINITY Series driver had honored his grandmother by placing "Granny Jan" above the door of his No. 6 Ford.
One of eight drivers vying for a berth in next week's Championship 4 at Homestead-Miami Speedway and seventh in points, Wallace needed a victory to secure a spot in the final. He was running inside the top 10 when contact from fellow Chase driver Blake Koch on Lap 149 of the 200-lap event sent his car hard into the wall, erasing any hopes of a victory.
"My grandmother was giving me the ride of my life," an emotional Wallace said after exiting the care center. "That was the most fun I've had all year. Just circumstances took us out. ... We will go to Homestead and let her ride again."
Wallace, teammate Ryan Reed, Koch (Kaulig Racing) and Brendan Gaughan (Richard Childress Racing) failed to transfer into the final round.
Daniel Suarez and teammate Erik Jones (Joe Gibbs Racing) will make up half the field batting for the title as will JR Motorsports drivers Elliott Sadler and Justin Allgaier.
"That (contact) was totally unintentional," said Koch, who missed transferring into the final by just four points. "The first thing I wanted to do tonight when I got out of the race car was to apologize to (Wallace). He was having a really good race; he had a rough week with his grandmother passing away.
"I went to cross over behind the 22 (of Brad Keselowski), had a good run and I had no idea the 6 was down there."
Wallace finished 32nd after qualifying fifth in the 40-car field. The incident involved five cars, and officials red-flagged the race for 10 minutes and 34 seconds to clear the track and attend to those involved.
"It was a long shot to get into the Chase but to have a good race and get a good finish -- we need one," Wallace said. "We have had the (worst) luck all year. It is so hard. I can't thank my granny enough for giving me that ride. It was fun."
Gaughan's No. 62 Chevrolet wasn't on the track when the race ended either – a hard crash on Lap 138 ended his night and his hopes. A fuel mileage gamble failed to pay off.
"If (the race) stays green, it worked out like Shane (Wilson, crew chief) and I wanted," said Gaughan, who finished 35th. "We had just enough fuel that if I saved a little -- unfortunately we were the caution, so hey, we took a shot at it.
"We took a big swing ... I can't ask for anything more."