MORE: Clements throws hat into playoff picture with exciting win
Jeremy Clements emerged late in Sunday’s Johnsonville 180 at Road America to land his first career NASCAR XFINITY Series win — in his 256th start.
Clements, whose first start in the series came at the age of 18 in 2003, races for his small, family-owned team, and held off Joe Gibbs Racing’s Matt Tifft in the closing laps for the victory.
NASCAR drivers love a good underdog story — who doesn’t? — and were quick to congratulate the 32-year-old on Twitter.
Retweet to congratulate @JClements51 on his first #XFINITYSeries win! pic.twitter.com/Fc8W71JReV
– NASCAR XFINITY (@NASCAR_XFINITY) August 27, 2017
Wild finish. Awesome to see small teams do big things. https://t.co/NY83MqKsWV
– Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) August 27, 2017
Dang that was fun to watch. Congrats @JCR_Clements51
– Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) August 27, 2017
Wow congrats to @JCR_Clements51 wild race congratulations
– Austin Dillon (@austindillon3) August 27, 2017
But damn!!!! Such a cool underdog story!!! Always loved racing against @JClements51! Nice job dude!
– Darrell Wallace Jr (@BubbaWallace) August 27, 2017
Didn’t get the opportunity to watch the race because I was in a ✈️ but very cool to see small teams make it to VL! Congrats! https://t.co/FMJ85GkxKD
– Daniel Suárez (@Daniel_SuarezG) August 27, 2017
Congrats @JClements51 on the big @NASCAR_XFINITY W today. Pass in the grass, spin and win…. you did it all! Great job.
– David Ragan (@DavidRagan) August 27, 2017
One proud poppa! Congrats Tony @JClements51 and the whole SC winning team! #51 #0forNoMore
– Michael Waltrip (@MW55) August 27, 2017
What a finish! Really wanted that for the 5 team after the week they endured. Congrats to @JClements51, that is huge for a small team.
– Regan Smith (@ReganSmith) August 27, 2017
Really awesome for him and his family. Legit underdog team and driver got it done today. https://t.co/Aoow2yMg8U
– Michael McDowell (@Mc_Driver) August 27, 2017
I could probably cry i’m so freakin excited for @JClements51!!!! Small family team winning in @NASCAR_XFINITY!!! OMG!
– Matthew DiBenedetto (@mattdracing) August 27, 2017
HOLY COW! JEREMY CLEMENTS!!
– Tanner Berryhill (@tannerberryhill) August 27, 2017
Family owned team this is what @NASCAR was made of! So happy for the 51 team!
– Jeb Burton (@JebBurtonRacing) August 27, 2017
Dude. You cannot draw up a better race than that! Congrats @JCR_Clements51!!!!
– Corey LaJoie (@CoreyLaJoie) August 27, 2017
Good for you , @JClements51. Well done, buddy…. Big congrats to all @JCR_Clements51 team.
– Eric McClure (@ericmcclure) August 27, 2017
@JClements51 way to go budwell deserved, congrats!!
– David Starr (@starr_racing) August 27, 2017