ELKHART LAKE, Wisc. – Early in Sunday’s Johnsonville 180 at Road America (Wisc.), it appeared James Davison’s dream of being a NASCAR driver in top-notch equipment would pay off with his first career NASCAR XFINITY Series win driving for Joe Gibbs Racing.
Quickly, however, as much it appeared he was one of the cars to beat, Davison’s day took a dramatic turn with little room to recover.
After dominating and leading all 10 laps of Stage 1, Davison brought his No. Hollinger Motors Sports Toyota to pit road for a routine stop, but leaving pit road, he sped in the last segment dropping him from the lead to the rear of the field.
A monstrous comeback from the back to the front put the Australian back inside the top-10 as Stage 2 neared. However, on the last lap, Ross Chastain made contact with Justin Marks, which sent Marks’ car into the side of Davison’s car causing serious damage to the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota.
Bringing his battered machine to pit road, the radiator had been damaged beyond control sending the Davison to the garage and out of the race.
“We were going up the hill there out of (Turn) 5 and I think the 4 (Chastain) got into the 42 (Marks) and just hooked him across the track and I was … just … I had nowhere to go,” said Davison. “Totally innocent (victim).
“One of those incidents where you’re just an innocent victim. Obviously gutted, because a car to win today. We showed that in the first stage.”
Davison competed in his second NASCAR XFINITY Series race Sunday for JGR, making his season debut at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course where he started 11th and earned his first career top-five with a fourth-place performance.
The 30-year-old open wheel ace says he hopes to be back with JGR in 2018.
“It’s just been a dream ride with Joe Gibbs Racing,” added Davison. “I can’t tell you how much of a dream this has been to be a NASCAR driver at the front in the 20 car.
“We’ll be back next year. We showed enough. I showed enough behind the wheel as well to warrant getting back into the car.”
Davison finished 37th.
“Bummed. But, that’s the way racing goes.”
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knigther01.