Ryan Sieg heartbroken once more after runner-up finish at Las Vegas

For the second time in the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series season, Ryan Sieg came heart-achingly close to victory.

The 37-year-old from Tucker, Georgia, lost by inches at the Texas Motor Speedway on April 13, but it looked like he would get his redemption on Saturday night.

In the closing laps of the Ambetter Health 302 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Sieg chased down race leader A.J. Allmendinger, only to have his Ford Mustang lose grip on the bottom of the racetrack when he went to make the winning pass.

Sieg remained within striking distance, but a caution with six laps to go bunched the field back up for one final restart with two laps remaining.

Unfortunately for Sieg, Allmendinger built up enough of a cushion on the restart to drive away into the Las Vegas lights, leaving Sieg to settle for another runner-up finish. The win ensures Allmendinger will have an opportunity to race for the Xfinity Series championship at Phoenix on Nov. 9.

"It just sucks to finish second," Sieg told Fox Sports' Bob Pockrass.

"I overdrove a little bit (when trying to make the pass for the lead) just try and and get by (Allmendinger)," he explained. "I was going to try and clear him right then, and I overdrove it and got loose. Just got to work on restarts so I can get a win."

The second-place finish was Sieg's fourth top-five effort of the season and the 20th of his career. It also marked the 64th career top-10 finish for Sieg in 364 Xfinity Series starts. He is still searching for the first win of his NASCAR career.

Sieg and the rest of the Xfinity Series field will travel to the Homestead-Miami Speedway on Oct. 26 for the 31st race of the 2024 season.