This week the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series visit the fast cookie cutter oval of Texas Motor Speedway. The last visit to Texas Motor Speedway was made by the Cup Series earlier this year for the NASCAR All-Star race where Ryan Blaney took home the checkers. Can he do it again? The real question is, can we actually get a playoff contender to win a post season race this weekend? Martin Truex has lead 674 laps there and led 109 laps last weekend at Bristol. He’s a strong bet to win, and of course he is not a playoffs driver. We shall see.
Texas marks the first of three races in the Cup Series Round of 12. Chase Elliot leads the points standings with Joey Logano in second followed by Ross Chastain in third. Coming into the race the pressure is on Chase Briscoe, Alex Bowman, Daniel Suarez, and Austin Cindric as they are all below the cutline for the upcoming Round of 8. The race for the Round of 8 will be a dog fight as only seven points separates cutline 8th place Ryan Blaney and 12th place Austin Cindric.
The Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 is the first race of the Xfinity Series playoffs Round of 8. 39 drivers are entered for 38 available spots meaning someone will pack up and head home after qualifying. The green flag flies at 3:30 PM ET Saturday and you can tune in to the action on the USA Network.
The Cup Series will be running the Auto Trader Echo Park Automotive 500 Sunday at 3:30 PM ET. 36 drivers are entered meaning everyone will make the show. Other than the Cup Series regulars, Garrett Smithley will be in the No. 15 Rick Ware Racing Ford, and Noah Gragson will make his 3rd start of the season in the No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevy. You can catch all the action at 3:30 PM ET on the USA Network.