NASCAR Playoffs recap: Round of 8, Xfinity Series


Noah Gragson celebrates with a fist-pump in Victory Lane after winning at Homestead-Miami Speedway
Sean Gardner
Getty Images

Editor’s note: With Champion’s Week in Nashville ongoing, NASCAR.com will look back at every playoff round of the 2022 season in all three national series.

Race 1: At Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Oct. 15

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 15: Josh Berry, driver of the #8 Harrison's USA Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series Alsco Uniforms 302 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on October 15, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Sean Gardner | Getty Images

Key highlights: After hitting the outside wall in the battle for the lead, Josh Berry was able to manage his car without issue and maintained the lead to secure his berth in the Championship 4. AJ Allmendinger was the only playoff driver to finish outside the top 10 after a pair of loose wheels derailed his day.

Winner: Josh Berry

Full race recap: Berry punches first ticket to Championship 4

At-track photos: 2022 Las Vegas playoff weekend


Race 2: At Homestead-Miami Speedway, Oct. 22

Noah Gragson celebrates in Victory Lane
Sean Gardner | Getty Images

Key highlights: The day belonged to the driver of the No. 9 JR Motorsports Chevrolet. Leading 127 of 200 laps, Noah Gragson held off the field on a late restart to secure his well-earned spot in the Championship 4 with win No. 8 on the season. Playoff driver Justin Allgaier had an eventful race, finishing 10th after falling a lap down.

Winner: Noah Gragson

Full race recap: Gragson scores eighth win of 2022

At-track photos: 2022 Homestead playoff weekend


Race 3: At Martinsville Speedway, Oct. 29

MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA - OCTOBER 29: Ty Gibbs, driver of the #54 Monster Energy Toyota, and crew pose for a selfie in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series Dead On Tools 250 at Martinsville Speedway on October 29, 2022 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Mike Mulholland | Getty Images

Key highlights: The season’s penultimate race was filled with tension, heartbreak and hurt feelings. Ty Gibbs picked up a win after spinning his teammate Brandon Jones entering Turn 1 on the final lap. Justin Allgaier secured the final spot in the Championship 4 after rubbing fenders with fellow playoff driver AJ Allmendinger, causing Allmendinger’s No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet to suffer a flat tire.

Winner: Ty Gibbs

Full race recap: Gibbs wins in overtime to set Championship 4

At-track photos: 2022 Martinsville playoff weekend

Drivers eliminated: AJ Allmendinger, Austin Hill, Sam Mayer, Brandon Jones