The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Phoenix concluded with Justin Allgaier claiming victory after taking the lead in the final 10 laps. Jeremy Clements, who had been competing near the top five throughout most of the event, finished 11th and attributed part of the setback to an interaction with Sammy Smith during the race, as well as handling issues with his car.
Details on the On-Track Incident and Vehicle Performance
Clements described losing rear grip, especially in turn four, which affected his control late in the race. He noted a specific moment when Smith
“used me up over there and about wrecked me,”
acknowledging the incident as a frustration but also confirming a score to settle with Smith.
Throughout the race, Clements’ Chevrolet showed strong performance on long runs, benefiting from a technical alliance with Haas Factory Team that began ahead of the 2026 season. He expressed optimism about the car’s speed but highlighted the need to improve clean driving and maintain track position, particularly under changing conditions.
Jeremy Clements’ Season Progress and Equipment Update
This race marked Clements’ best finish so far this season, a notable improvement from his previous three starts where he did not finish higher than 29th place. He attributed this progression partly to adjusting to newer equipment, as his earlier rides had been older cars with significant wear and tear. The alliance with Haas Factory Team is already showing promise in increased speed and competitiveness.
Clements said,
“These are way faster cars than I’ve been driving. My cars were 10 years old at this point and seen a lot of age on them, a lot of wear and tear. These are way newer cars and the cars are just faster. We knew going in that we should be able to run toward the front. I think we showed that tonight, I think you’ll see that more often this year for sure.”
– Jeremy Clements, Driver
Upcoming Race and Expectations
Looking ahead, Jeremy Clements is preparing for the next race in Las Vegas, where he anticipates similarly strong outcomes given the recent performance improvements. He referenced competitors like Ryan and other front runners, expressing confidence in matching their pace through strategy and equipment.
Clements commented,
“I think they should be fast again. I know Ryan’s cars ran good there and 00, 41 are always fast. So as long as we do what they do we should be fine. And I’m looking forward to driving it there.”
– Jeremy Clements, Driver
Complete Top 10 Finishers at Phoenix Race
The race leaderboard showcased strong performances, with Justin Allgaier leading the field. Although Jeremy Clements fell back from his earlier position, his 11th-place finish stands as his season-best. The continuing development of his Chevrolet and alliance with Haas Factory Team suggests further advancement in upcoming races.
"I owe him one for sure." – @JClements51 is not happy with @sammysmithSS following the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Phoenix Raceway.
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— Frontstretch (@Frontstretch) March 8, 2026
