TALLADEGA, Ala. (AP) — Elliott Sadler celebrated his 41st birthday Saturday with his first victory in almost two years.
Mired in a drought that dated to May 4, 2014, Sadler didn’t mind waiting through a five-minute post-race review by NASCAR to be named the winner of the Xfinity Series race at Talladega Superspeedway.
NASCAR had to determine who was the actual leader when a caution froze the field in overtime. Brennan Poole crossed the finish line first, but was denied his first career Xfinity Series win when NASCAR said the field was frozen with Sadler still ahead of Poole.
“People don’t know how hard it is to win these races. It’s very emotional,” Sadler said in victory lane, choking back tears. “It’s a great birthday gift to me. Man, we needed this win.”
Sadler’s last victory, just four days shy of exactly two years ago, also was at Talladega.
Poole harbored no ill-will over the final result, even though he was dropped to third. Both Poole and Sadler sat in their idling race cars by the flagstand as NASCAR reviewed the finish.
Sadler was chasing leader Joey Logano on the final lap when Logano tried to block Sadler’s attempt at a pass for the victory. Logano went high for a block, then low, but Sadler spun him during the rapid lane changing. Logano’s car turned into the wall and created a crash that brought out the yellow flag.
Justin Allgaier also waited inside his car for the review because even though Poole nipped him at the finish line, he wasn’t sure if he was the leader when the field was frozen. He ultimately was scored second behind teammate Sadler.
Sadler is just the second Xfinity Series full-time driver to win this season. Sprint Cup drivers have won seven of the first nine races this season.
With the victory, Sadler earns an automatic berth into the Xfinity Series’ inaugural Chase for the championship.
Jeremy Clements finished a career-best fourth and was followed by Brendan Gaughan and Austin Dillon.
Logano wound up 27th.