The NASCAR Xfinity Series will be wrapping up the regular season this weekend at Kansas Speedway with the Kansas Lottery 300 on Saturday, September 9 on NBC, the NBC Sports App, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Kansas Speedway, located just outside of Kansas City, Kansas, is a 1.5-mile track with variable banking in the turns (17 to 20 degrees). It has hosted 23 NASCAR Xfinity Series races, producing 18 different race winners and 16 different pole winners. Only two races have been won from the pole or first starting position, most recently by Kyle Busch in 2016. Not only is Busch the last driver to win from the pole, he also holds the record for most wins (four), top fives (eight), laps led (544), and is tied with Justin Allgaier for most top 10s at 10.
Two previous winners are entered in this weekend’s Kansas Lottery 300 – John Hunter Nemechek (2018) and Brandon Jones (2019, 2020). The track is as equally special to both drivers as Kansas Speedway is home to their first Xfinity Series wins.
The NASCAR Xfinity Series will have an action-packed Saturday, kicking off with practice at 10:05 a.m. ET followed by qualifying at 10:35 a.m. ET on the USA Network, the NBC Sports App, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
NASCAR Xfinity Series
Next Race: Kansas Lottery 300
The Place: Kansas Speedway
The Date: Saturday, September 9
The Time: 3 p.m. ET
The Purse: $1,551,969
TV: NBC, 3 p.m. ET
Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR (Channel 90)
Distance: 300 miles (200 Laps); Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 45),
Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 90), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 200)
Playoff Clinch Scenarios: Kansas Speedway
Time is up for drivers still vying for their spot in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs. A total of 10 drivers have clinched their way into the post season already, leaving just two spots up for grabs this weekend. Here’s a look at the clinch scenarios as we had into the Kansas Lottery 300:
Already Clinched
The following 10 drivers have clinched a spot in the 12-driver postseason field: Austin Hill, John Hunter Nemechek, Justin Allgaier, Cole Custer, Sam Mayer, Josh Berry, Sheldon Creed, Chandler Smith, Sammy Smith, Jeb Burton.
Can Clinch Via Points
If there is a repeat winner or a win by a driver who cannot advance to the Playoffs, the following drivers could clinch by being ahead of the 5th winless driver in the standings. The same point requirements listed below would hold true if a new win comes from among Josh Berry, Sheldon Creed or Daniel Hemric.
- Daniel Hemric: Would clinch regardless of finish
- Riley Herbst: Would clinch with 54 points
- Parker Kligerman: Would clinch with 55 points
The following drivers could clinch on points with a win by Riley Herbst:
- Daniel Hemric: Would clinch with 1 point
- Parker Kligerman: Could only clinch with help
If there is a new winner from Parker Kligerman or another winless driver lower in the standings but still eligible to advance to the playoffs, the following drivers could clinch by being ahead of the 4th winless driver in the standings.
- Daniel Hemric: Would clinch with 1 point
- Riley Herbst: Could only clinch with help
- Parker Kligerman: Could only clinch with help
Can Clinch Via Win
The following drivers would clinch on their win alone: Daniel Hemric, Riley Herbst, Parker Kligerman, Brandon Jones, Brett Moffitt, Parker Retzlaff, Kaz Grala, Ryan Sieg, Jeremy Clements, Anthony Alfredo, Josh Williams, Joe Graf Jr.
Can Clinch Regular Season Championship
Additionally, the Regular Season Championship could be clinched by the following drivers:
- Austin Hill: Would clinch with 38 points
- John Hunter Nemechek: Could only clinch with help
- Justin Allgaier: Could only clinch with help
One race. Two spots. Who’s in?
There are only two spots left up for grabs in the Xfinity Series Playoffs this weekend at Kansas, but 12 drivers will be trying to race their way in on Saturday.
2021 Xfinity Series champion and Kaulig Racing driver Daniel Hemric has set himself up nicely to make his way into the post season, currently 55 points above the cutline, as he looks to secure his spot in the postseason for the sixth-time in his career (2017, ’18, ’21, ‘22). Hemric has made six starts at the Kansas track, posting two top fives, three top 10s, one pole and has led 143 laps. The 32-year-old has come extremely close to finding Victory Lane at Kansas Speedway, finishing runner-up in 2018 and 2020.
Stewart-Haas Racing’s Riley Herbst, who currently holds the final Playoff spot on points, will also be looking to lock himself in this weekend with a win. Herbst holds a slight edge (one point) over Parker Kligerman in 17th the first spot outside the Playoffs cutline. In Herbst’s’ four starts at Kansas Speedway, he’s posted one top-10 finish (2020).
Sitting in 14th in the Playoff outlook standings, -79 points below the cutline, JR Motorsports’ Brandon Jones could very well clinch his way into the 2023 Playoffs with a win this weekend at Kansas, which would mark his seventh Playoff appearance (2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022). He’s done well at the 1.5-mile Kansas track, posting two wins (2019, 2020), three top fives and five top 10s.
The remaining eight drivers below the postseason cutline will have to win their way into the Playoffs this weekend.
NASCAR Xfinity Series, Etc.
Double duty drivers at Kansas Speedway – Two drivers who have already secured their spots in the 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs will be sticking around Kansas Speedway on Sunday to run in the Hollywood Casino 400 – Cole Custer and Sheldon Creed.
Custer will be getting behind the wheel of the No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Ford for his fifth Cup Series start of the season. The 25-year-old driver has made six Cup Series starts at Kansas Speedway in his career, posting a best-finish of seventh in 2020.
Creed will be piloting the No. 78 Live Fast Motorsports Chevrolet for his career debut in the NASCAR Cup Series.
“I’m excited to race a Cup race for the first time as that’s been the dream for a long time,” said Creed. “Whelen is a great company and I’m appreciative for their support in allowing us to do this with Live Fast Motorsports.”
Sunoco Rookie of the Year update – The NASCAR Xfinity Series 2023 rookie class will be wrapping up its first full regular season this weekend at Kansas Speedway and two contenders will be heading to the Playoffs in their debut season – Chandler Smith and Sammy Smith.
Chandler Smith continues to lead the pack as he has all season long with one win (Richmond), five top fives, nine top 10s and 706 points.
Joe Gibbs Racing’s Sammy Smith still sits close behind with one win (Phoenix), four top fives, 10 top 10s and 629 points.
Jordan Anderson Racing’s Parker Retzlaff has posted one top five and six top 10s this season, accumulating 483 points.
Closing out the competition is Blaine Perkins with 199 points.
Rajah Caruth to run at Kansas Speedway – Truck Series regular Rajah Caruth will once again be getting behind the wheel of No. 45 Alpha Prime Racing Chevrolet for his seventh Xfinity Series start of the 2023 season.
This will be his second start in the series at Kansas Speedway. In his debut last season, he posted a 25th-place finish.
In his six previous Xfinity Series starts this season, he posted a best-finish of 16th at Darlington Raceway.
Please check out our other NASCAR Xfinity Series coverage here.
