Brandon Jones wins NASCAR O'Reilly Series race at Homestead, Justin Allgaier clinches championship

Brandon Jones ran away from Carson Kvapil in the closing laps to win Saturday's NASCAR O'Reilly Series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, but the bigger story was back in seventh place.

Justin Allgaier brought home the 2026 series title, his second championship in three years, by 14 points over 2025 champion Jesse Love after a relatively straightforward night in south Florida that saw Allgaier do exactly what he needed to do.

Allgaier was repeatedly preached to on the radio in the final stage by spotter Eddie D'Hondt, who constantly reminded his driver that he needn't take unnecessary risks or run too close to the outside wall. 

The 40-year-old Allgaier from Riverton, Illinois, who announced earlier in the week that he will be back with JR Motorsports on a multi-year deal, is the 10th multi-time champion in NOAPS history and the oldest champ since 41-year-old Tommy Ellis in 1988. He's also the first driver in the history of JRM to win two titles.

"It means more than you'll ever know," Allgaier told CW Sports. "It's obviously not the finish we wanted tonight. Want to be in victory lane. This team never quits... The first [championship] was for me. The first one, I really enjoyed. This one is for all these men and women that are standing right back here. They have worked their tails off. 

"It means so much. Really proud of our whole team. Andrew Overstreet, first championship as a crew chief, that's really cool for him. Tonight, it was a battle. The idiot driver knocked the fence down too many times. Hats off to this whole team. The effort, so proud of everybody. It's been pretty special tonight."

Jones opens up in final laps

Jones, meanwhile, had a thrilling late-race battle for the lead with Kvapil but eventually drove away after sneaking through some lapped traffic and opening up his gap in the final laps. 

Jones and Allgaier each gave the fans a smokeshow on the frontstretch.

Kvapil finished runner-up, with Brent Crews, Love and Parker Retzlaff rounding out the top five. Polesitter and title challenger Sheldon Creed finished sixth, with Allgaier, Austin Hill, Sam Mayer and William Sawalich completing the top 10. 

Mayer, who dominated the race and won the first two stages, was battling inside the top-three late when contact with the wall forced him to come down pit road with a flat tire. 

Corey Day was taken out of title contention after early contact with Rajah Caruth sent him into the outside wall. Day finished 34th, 25 laps down. 

Notable results

Other notable finishers include Ryan Sieg in 12th, Taylor Gray in 14th, Sammy Smith in 15th, Caruth in 18th and Anthony Alfredo, who was fastest in practice on Friday, in 19th. 

JJ Yeley finished last (38th) after completing only 58 of 200 laps. 

The 2027 O'Reilly Series season will begin at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 20.