Photo Credit: Noel Lanier/OnPitRoad.com
Starting off the West Coast Swing will be the NASCAR Xfinity Series in the Boyd Gaming 300 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Following a Cup regular dominated race at Atlanta Motor Speedway last weekend, Xfinity drivers seek to shine bright in Sin City and look to score every point possible.
Kyle Busch, the defending race winner, is entered in the No. 18 NOS Energy Drink Toyota Camry, and following an encumbered victory last weekend in Atlanta after failing post-race inspection, he will seek another victory at his home track in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Joining him as former winners in the field include Jeff Green, who will drive the No. 8 for B.J McLeod, Brad Keselowski, who will pilot the No. 22 for Roger Penske, and Austin Dillon, who will pilot the No. 2 for Richard Childress Racing.
One name not to be overlooked is the driver of the No. 21 The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas Chevrolet Camaro, Daniel Hemric. Hemric makes his first start in the Xfinity Series at the 1.5-mile track, but has experience there in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. He finished second to his former Brad Keselowski Racing teammate Tyler Reddick, and also has a sixth-place finish to his resume there. He has former winner Austin Dillon as a teammate this weekend, and that can’t hurt if he needs advice.
Ryan Reed is the only driver with his ticket punched to the Playoffs but drivers like Elliott Sadler and William Byron, who are currently first and second in points, may not be far behind him in punching their ticket.
Justin Allgaier will also be one to watch as he has an average finish of ninth, which is the best of all active Xfinity Series regulars. Allgaier has five starts with a best finish of sixth coming last season. Statistically, Allgaier should be the next driver to punch his ticket or at least move closer to the points lead.
With the new segment racing, the Boyd Gaming 300 will be split into three segments with the first segment coming to an end at Lap 45. The second segment will come to an end at Lap 90, then it will be a 210 lap shootout to decide the winner in Las Vegas. The question sits, are you feeling lucky?
