INTERVIEW: Steve Phelps comments on the controversial finish to Saturday’s XFINITY Series race at Talladega

by Brock Beard / LASTCAR.info Editor-in-Chief

Steve Phelps speaks with Jeb Burton shortly after the finish of Saturday’s race. (PHOTO: Brock Beard)

The persistent specter of last-lap cautions at NASCAR superspeedway races remained on Saturday, as a three-wide battle for the lead between Austin Hill, Jeb Burton, and Jesse Love was decided by the cameras after contact from Love wrecked then-leader Connor Zilisch’s #88 WeatherTech Chevrolet. After Hill was declared the winner, NASCAR president Steve Phelps spoke with Burton as he headed back to the XFINITY Series garage.

After speaking with another member of the Jordan Anderson Racing team, Phelps spoke with me briefly about the caution:

WHAT WERE YOU DISCUSSING WITH JEB BURTON?

“Listen - Jeb ran a great race, and he ran hard and was aggressive. And you know, drivers, when they're in a three-wide deal like that, and looking at different angles. . .I'm sure all three drivers thought they won. And fortunately, our guys are up there. They looked at the camera angles, and they looked at any number of them to determine that the 21 (Austin Hill) was the winner. And it's heartbreaking for Jeb and heartbreaking for Jesse (Love). And this is a tough deal, right? So only one winner, and when you're that close, it certainly leaves a tough taste in your mouth.”

ARE EFFORTS BEING MADE TO MAKE THE REASON FOR LAST-LAP CAUTIONS EASIER TO UNDERSTAND?

“We're always going to try to rely on - and we talked to the drivers about this - gonna always go to safety first. And that's their call, and they thought the 88 (Zilisch) was in trouble, and they need to get something to him as quickly as possible. So that's why the yellow came out.”

HAVE DRIVERS OR TEAMS EXPRESSED CONCERNS ABOUT CAUTIONS COMING OUT CONSISTENTLY?

“I think - listen, there were some concerns early in the year, and I think we have addressed them. And it's a decision that is made up in the tower, and it's made in a split decision. And I know they waited a moment, and then they thought that the time was right. So, I wasn't up there, but my guys, I think they do a terrific job and stand by the call that they made.”