(HOMESTEAD, FL) The 2016 ASRS Xfinity Series kicked off nearly seven months ago in Daytona and the series comes full circle as the season closes at Homestead-Miami Speedway, the lone 1.5 mile true oval on the schedule. With the season coming to a close, a championship was set to be decided on the high banks as well as the battle for the race win.
Michael Atkins, Jr. fired the first shot, speeding to the Driven Designz Pole in his #44 Camaro. Atkins’ race was short lived as the #44 was sent flipping just five laps in to the 84 lap affair after contact with Bradley Cross. Zac Bozanich had moved into the lead after the first lap. Nearly the entire field pitted for service under the early caution.
After another caution, when Robby Baskins spun on the backstretch and made contact with the inside wall, the race went green on lap 18. Green flag pit stops came several laps later before the third caution flew on lap 57 when Shawn Musick’s #12 crashed.
The ensuing restart saw three and four wide racing as just over 20 laps remained in the season. With drivers vying for every position the action picked up and championship leader Jim Foose was the victim another caution as his #42 was sent spinning into the outside wall by Jordan Harnish on the backstretch.
Racing resumed with 18 laps to go with Jamie Vaughn leading the way in the #19. It didn’t take long as four laps later, Dylan Hickey took over the lead and never looked back.
Hickey would score his first ASRS victory, with Sam Maxwell second, Jared Mogard third, Jamie Vaughn fourth and Allan Young fifth.
Jim Foose was crowned the 2016 ASRS Xfinity Series Champion, holding a 24 point lead over Robby Baskins as the checkered flag fell on the season. It is Foose’s first Xfinity Series Championship.