By Reggie Gatlin-Holt

 

 

NASCAR Xfinity Series

 

Following the Yellow Brick Road all the way to Kansas Speedway

The NASCAR Xfinity Series wrapped up the regular season last weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway and will now be kicking off the 2024 Playoffs at Kansas Speedway with the Kansas Lottery 300 on Saturday, September 28 at 4 p.m. ET on The CW, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio – the Round of 12 opener.

 

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 24 NASCAR Xfinity Series races, producing 18 different race winners and 17 different pole winners.

 

Only two of the Kansas Xfinity 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, but 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 each.

 

This will be the first time that Kansas Speedway kicks off the Xfinity Series Playoffs. From 2016 to 2020, the track played host to the fourth Xfinity Series Playoff race (the first race in the Round of 8). In 2021, Kansas was the fifth race in the Xfinity Series Playoffs and in 2022 and 2023, Kansas Speedway was not a Playoffs track.

 

The NASCAR Xfinity Series will have an action-packed Saturday, kicking off with practice at 11:05 a.m. ET followed by qualifying at 11:35 a.m. ET on the NBC Sports App.

 

Spotlighting the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoff Field

This season marks the ninth running of the Playoffs in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, and this season’s postseason 12-driver field is one to remember.

 

Drivers from six different organizations have qualified for the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs, led by JR Motorsports with three contenders (Justin Allgaier, Sam Mayer and Sammy Smith), followed by Joe Gibbs Racing (Chandler Smith and Sheldon Creed), Richard Childress Racing (Austin Hill and Jesse Love), Kaulig Racing (Shane van Gisbergen and AJ Allmendinger) and Stewart-Haas Racing (Cole Custer and Riley Herbst) with two each and Big Machine Racing (Parker Kligerman) with one.

 

All three official engine manufacturers have earned spots in the 2024 Xfinity Series Playoffs, led by Chevrolet with eight cars in the postseason, followed by Toyota and Ford with two each.

 

Below is a quick look at the 12 Playoff drivers heading into Bristol this weekend:

(Note: Drivers are listed in Playoff standings order)

 

Justin Allgaier (No. 7 JR Motorsports Chevrolet)

 

Justin Allgaier currently leads the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoff point standings as he heads to Kansas Speedway this weekend, up +27 points on the Round of 8 cutline. Allgaier leads the NASCAR Xfinity Series in Playoff appearances with nine. He has participated in every postseason since its inception into the series in 2016 (2024, ‘23, ’22, ’21, ’20, ’19, ’18, ’17, ’16) – the only driver to accomplish the feat.

 

In the first 26 races, Allgaier has posted two wins (Darlington, Michigan), seven top fives,15 top 10s and has led 649 laps.

 

At Kansas, Allgaier has made 14 Xfinity Series starts amassing four top fives, 10 top 10s and has led 57 laps.

 

Cole Custer (No. 00 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford)

 

Back to defend his 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series title is Cole Custer who currently ranks second in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoff point standings, up +21 points on the Round of 8 cutline. This season marks the fifth time Custer has competed in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs (2024 ‘23, ’19, ’18, ’17).

 

This year, Custer has collected two wins (Pocono, Bristol), three poles, 11 top fives, 19 top 10s and has led 609 laps in the first 26 races of the season.

 

Custer has made five Xfinity Series starts at Kansas with 88 laps led and a best finish of 11^th.

 

Austin Hill (No. 21 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet)

 

Austin Hill currently ranks third in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoff point standings as he heads to Kansas Speedway this weekend, up +18 points on the Round of 8 cutline. This season marks the third time Hill has competed in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs (2024, ‘23, ’22).

 

This year, Hill has collected three wins (Daytona, Atlanta 1, Atlanta 2), one pole, nine top fives, 15 top 10s and has led 151 laps.

 

Hill has made three starts at the Kansas track, posting two top-five and two top-10 finishes.

 

Chandler Smith (No. 81 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota)

 

Heading into the first Playoff race of the season, Chandler Smith currently ranks fourth in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs point standings, up +17 points on the Round of 8 cutline. This will be Smith’s second Playoff appearance (2024, 2023).

 

This season, Smith has collected two wins (Phoenix, Richmond), two poles, 11 top fives, 16 top 10s and has led 475 laps.

 

Smith made his Xfinity Series debut last year at Kansas Speedway, posting a 32nd-place finish.

 

Shane van Gisbergen (No. 97 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet)

 

As the series kicks off the Playoffs, Shane van Gisbergen currently ranks fifth in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs point standings, up +10 points on the Round of 8 cutline. This will be the New Zealander’s first Playoff appearance.

 

Van Gisbergen has had an impressive rookie season thus far, posting three wins (Portland, Sonoma, Chicago), two poles, six top fives, eight top 10s and has led 93 laps.

 

He will be making his series debut at Kansas Speedway this weekend.

 

Jesse Love (No. 2 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet)

 

Heading to Kansas this weekend, Jesse Love currently ranks sixth in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs point standings, up six points on the Round of 8 cutline. This will be the Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender’s first Playoff appearance.

 

Love has had a great debut season in the Xfinity Series, posting one win (Talladega), four poles, six top fives, 13 top 10s and has led 304 laps.

 

He will be making his series debut at Kansas Speedway this weekend.

 

Sam Mayer (No. 1 JR Motorsports Chevrolet)

 

Rolling into Kansas Speedway this weekend, Sam Mayer currently ranks seventh in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs point standings, up four points on the Round of 8 cutline. This season marks the third time

Mayer has competed in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs (2024, ‘23, ‘22).

 

This year, Mayer has posted two wins (Texas, Iowa), one pole, seven top fives, 11 top 10s, and has led 192 laps.

 

He’s made three starts at Kansas Speedway, posting two top-10 finishes.

 

Riley Herbst (No. 98 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford)

 

Riley Herbst currently ranks eighth in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs point standings as he heads to Kansas Speedway this weekend, up three points on the Round of 8 cutline. This season marks the fourth time Herbst has competed in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs (2024, ’22, ’21, ‘20).

 

This year, Herbst has posted one win (Indianapolis), five top fives, 10 top 10s, and has led 80 laps.

 

At Kansas, Herbst has made five Xfinity Series starts posting one top 10 finish.

 

Sheldon Creed (No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota)

 

Heading into Kansas Speedway this weekend, Sheldon Creed ranks ninth in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoff point standings, just three points outside the Round of 8 cutline. This will be his second Playoff appearance (2024, 2023).

 

This season, Creed has collected two poles, 13 top fives, 17 top 10s, and has led 108 laps.

 

He has made two starts at Kansas, finishing 11th and third, respectively.

 

A.J. Allmendinger (No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet)

 

A.J. Allmendinger ranks 10th in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoff point standings, four points outside the Round of 8 cutline. This will be his third Playoff appearance (2024, ’23, ‘22).

 

Allmendinger has posted five top fives, 14 top 10s and has led 116 laps this season thus far.

 

He has made three starts at Kansas Speedway, posting one top five, two top 10s, and has led a total of 10 laps.

 

Sammy Smith (No. 8 JR Motorsports Chevrolet)

 

Arriving at Kansas Speedway this weekend, Sammy Smith ranks 11^th in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoff point standings, nine points back on the Round of 8 cutline. This will be his second appearance in the Xfinity Series Playoffs (2024, 2023).

 

This season, Smith has five top fives, 13 top 10s and has led 55 laps in 26 starts.

 

He has made two starts at Kansas Speedway, posting one top 10 finish.

 

Parker Kligerman (No. 48 Big Machine Racing Chevrolet)

 

Parker Kligerman rolls into the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs point standings as the No. 12 seed, 12 points behind Riley Herbst in eighth. Kligerman earned the final spot in the Playoffs in the regular season finale last week at Bristol, and this week enters postseason for the second-time in his career (2024, 2023).

 

This season, Kligerman has collected four top fives, 12 top 10s and has led 24 laps in 26 starts.

 

At Kansas, Kligerman has made four Xfinity Series starts, posting one top five and two top 10s.

 

For more information, click here for complete NXS Playoff bios

 

Xfinity Clinch Scenarios: Kansas Speedway

When it comes to the clinch scenarios in the first race of a round in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs, the math can be pretty easy – just win. However, there is only one driver entered in this weekend’s Kansas Lottery 300 who has won at the Kansas track, and it isn’t one of the 12 Playoff drivers – it’s JR Motorsports’ Brandon Jones (2019, 2020).

 

NASCAR Xfinity Series Driver Playoff Projection Following Bristol Motor Speedway – 9/20/24
Rank	Driver	Vehicle	Points	Race Wins	Stage Wins	Playoff Pts	+/- Cutoff
1	Justin Allgaier	7	2,034	2	14	34	27
2	Cole Custer	00	2,028	2	3	28	21
3	Austin Hill	21	2,025	3	3	25	18
4	Chandler Smith	81	2,024	2	6	24	17
5	Shane Van Gisbergen #	97	2,017	3	2	17	10
6	Jesse Love #	2	2,013	1	4	13	6
7	Sam Mayer	1	2,011	2	1	11	4
8	Riley Herbst	98	2,010	1	2	10	3
9	Sheldon Creed	18	2,007	0	1	7	-3
10	AJ Allmendinger	16	2,006	0	1	6	-4
11	Sammy Smith	8	2,001	0	0	1	-9
12	Parker Kligerman	48	1,998	0	1	-2	-12

 

NASCAR Xfinity Series, Etc.

 

Toyota and Kansas Speedway go hand in hand – Although we’ve seen multiple winners in Victory Lane at Kansas Speedway, there is one manufacturer who has dominated at the 1.5-mile Kansas track – Toyota.

A Toyota car has taken the checkered flag in nine of the last 12 races (Chevrolet – 2, Ford -1).

 

Fans can expect all Toyota drivers in the field to fight to add another win to the OEM’s resume but only two who are in the Playoff field – Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Chandler Smith and Sheldon Creed. The JGR duo surely have luck on their side as 12 of the last 17 races have been won by a JGR driver at Kansas Speedway.

 

Sunoco Rookie of the Year Update – The 2024 Sunoco Rookie of the Year class has officially completed its first fulltime regular season, and two drivers were able to lock themselves into the Playoffs – Jesse Love and Shane van Gisbergen

 

Richard Childress Racing’s Jesse Love (2,013 points), who currently sits sixth in the Playoffs standings, was leading the rookie class all season long but is now second to Kaulig Racing’s Shane van Gisbergen (2,017 points), who is currently the fifth seed in the Playoffs.

 

Sliding into third is Young’s Motorsports’ Leland Honeyman Jr with 391 points and rounding out the competition is Hailie Deegan with 174 points.

 

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series

 

CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoffs’ Round of 10 finale headed to Kansas

The NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series returns to Kansas Speedway this weekend, and this time it’s to decide which eight postseason contenders will move on to the next round in the Playoffs’ Round of 10 finale – the Kubota Tractor 200 (Friday, September 27 at 8:30 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN, and SiriusXM Radio).

 

To date, the 1.5-mile track has hosted 28 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series races, producing 24 different winners and 18 different pole winners. The winningest driver in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, Kyle Busch, and veteran Matt Crafton hold the most wins in the heartland with three apiece.

 

Four races have been won from the pole, most recently by John Hunter Nemechek in 2022.

 

Here’s a closer look at the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series veterans who have carved their name in the Kansas Speedway record books:

 

• Race record: Matt Crafton 139.857 mph (05/08/2015)
• Qualifying record: Erik Jones 179.396 mph (05/08/2015)
• Most races: Matt Crafton (28)
• Most poles: Ron Hornaday Jr. (3)
• Most wins: Matt Crafton and Kyle Busch (3)
• Most top fives: Matt Crafton (7)
• Most top 10s: Matt Crafton (15)
• Laps led: Kyle Busch (277)

 

In total, this will be the fourth time Kansas has hosted a CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoff Race (2020, 2022-2024). This season marks the third time that the 1.5-mile track will host the Round of 10 finale. Previously, Kansas served as the opening race in the Round of 8 in 2020.

 

Eight different drivers have won the elimination race of the first round of the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoffs – including current postseason contenders Grant Enfinger (2016) and Christian Eckes (2023).

 

NCTS Playoffs First Round Elimination Race Winners (2016-2023)
Date	Track	Playoff Race Winner	Season	Race No.
Saturday, October 22, 2016	Talladega	Grant Enfinger	2016	19
Saturday, October 14, 2017	Talladega	Parker Kligerman	2017	19
Saturday, October 13, 2018	Talladega	Timothy Peters	2018	19
Friday, September 13, 2019	Las Vegas	Austin Hill	2019	19
Saturday, October 3, 2020	Talladega	Raphael Lessard	2020	19
Thursday, September 16, 2021	Bristol	Chandler Smith	2021	18
Friday, September 9, 2022	Kansas	John H. Nemechek	2022	19
Friday, September 8, 2023	Kansas	Christian Eckes	2023	19

 

Practice for the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series at Kansas Speedway kicks off at 3:30 p.m. EST on FS2, Friday, September 27, followed by Cometic Gasket Pole Qualifying at 4 p.m. EST.

 

Chevrolet continues dominance in 2024 season, but Toyotas rule the Heartland

Chevrolet has won nine of the 18 CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race this season. The last non-Chevrolet to win was the No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford driven by Layne Riggs at Bristol Motor Speedway last weekend.

 

Chevrolet may be dominating the 2024 season, but Toyotas typically reign at Kansas Speedway, winning 12 of the last 28 races.

 

Season	Manufacturer	Race Winners
2005	Toyota	Todd Bodine
2009	Toyota	Mike Skinner
2013	Toyota	Matt Crafton
2014	Toyota	Kyle Busch
2015	Toyota	Matt Crafton
2016	Toyota	William Byron
2017	Toyota	Kyle Busch
2018	Toyota	Noah Gragson
2020	Toyota	Austin Hill
2021	Toyota	Kyle Busch
2022	Toyota	John H. Nemechek
2024 (spring)	Toyota	Corey Heim

 

Chevrolet follows closely behind with 10 and Ford with six.

 

The Toyota drivers will look to power the manufacturer to its sixth victory of the season in the Kubota Tractor 200.

 

Make It or Break It: Dye, Rhodes need to dig deep

McAnally-Hilgemann Racing’s Daniel Dye and ThorSport Racing veteran Ben Rhodes find themselves below the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Round of 8 cutline as the series heads to the Round of 10 finale at Kansas Speedway.

 

2021 and 2023 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Champion Ben Rhodes finished 27th at Bristol Motor Speedway and left the 0.533-mile paved oval 12 points back from the Round of 8 cutline.

Unlike the vast Playoff experience Rhodes has, Daniel Dye is in his first appearance in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoffs. The 20-year-old has found a way to race his way into the top 10 – he’s recorded seven top-10 finishes so far this season, the most in his CRAFTSMAN Truck Series career.

 

The driver of the No. 43 McAnally-Hilgemann Chevrolet had a disappointing day at the Milwaukee Mile, finishing 32nd, but is only seven points back from the Round of 8 cutline and the final transfer position.

 

Currently, CR7 Motorsports’ Grant Enfinger is in the eighth and final position to transfer to the next round in the Playoffs on points. Just ahead of Enfinger in seventh is TRICON Garage driver Taylor Gray, up 23 points on the Round of 8 cutline.

 

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Playoff Outlook Following Bristol Motor Speedway (September 19, 2024)

Rank	Driver	Points	Starts	Race Wins	Stage Wins	Playoff Pts	+/- Cutoff
1	Christian Eckes (P)	2,140	18	3	9	39
2	Corey Heim (P)	2,125	18	5	7	42	In On Points
3	Nick Sanchez (P)	2,108	18	2	1	18
4	Ty Majeski (P)	2,103	18	2	5	23	58
5	Rajah Caruth (P)	2,080	18	1	1	10	35
6	Tyler Ankrum (P)	2,070	18	0	2	7	25
7	Taylor Gray (P)	2,068	18	0	0	3	23
8	Grant Enfinger (P)	2,052	18	0	1	7	7
9	Daniel Dye (P)	2,045	18	0	0	1	-7
10	Ben Rhodes (P)	2,040	18	0	0	2	-12

 

Approaching Kansas: Playoffs Contender’s Career Performances

Just one race is left to decide who will survive and advance to the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Round of 8. A win at Kansas this weekend by a Playoff contender would guarantee their spot in the next round.

 

Here’s a look at how our 10 Playoff drivers have performed in the sunflower state previously.

 

Rank	Driver	Races	Poles	Wins	Top Fives	Top 10s	DNFs	Average Finish
1	Christian Eckes	9	1	1	5	7	1	8.2
2	Corey Heim	5	0	1	3	4	0	9.4
3	Nick Sanchez	3	0	0	0	3	0	6.7
4	Ty Majeski	7	0	0	1	2	2	18.1
5	Rajah Caruth	3	0	0	0	0	0	19.7
6	Tyler Ankrum	10	0	0	0	2	2	19.0
7	Taylor Gray	3	0	0	1	2	0	12.7
8	Grant Enfinger	12	0	1	6	8	0	7.6
9	Daniel Dye	3	0	0	0	1	0	15.0
10	Ben Rhodes	13	0	0	2	5	1	14.1

 

Christian Eckes, Corey Heim, and Grant Enfinger are the only previous winners entered this weekend.

 

Last Chance Race: Clinch Scenarios for Kansas Speedway

One last chance to move on to the Round of 8 this weekend at Kansas, here are the clinch scenarios for Friday.

 

Already Clinched

The following 3 drivers have clinched a spot in the 8-driver field of the next round: Christian Eckes, Corey Heim, Nicholas Sanchez.

 

Can Clinch Via Points

If there is a repeat winner or a win by a driver who cannot advance to the next round, the following drivers could clinch by being ahead of the 9th winless driver in the standings.  The same point requirements listed below would hold true if a new win comes from among Christian Eckes, Corey Heim, Nicholas Sanchez, Ty Majeski, Rajah Caruth, Tyler Ankrum, Taylor Gray or Grant Enfinger.

 

• Ty Majeski: Would clinch regardless of finish
• Rajah Caruth: Would clinch with 21 points
• Tyler Ankrum: Would clinch with 31 points
• Taylor Gray: Would clinch with 33 points
• Grant Enfinger: Would clinch with 49 points
• Daniel Dye: Could only clinch with help
• Ben Rhodes: Could only clinch with help

 

If there is a new winner from Daniel Dye or another winless driver lower in the standings but still eligible to advance to the next round, the following drivers could clinch by being ahead of the 8th winless driver in the standings.

 

• Ty Majeski: Would clinch with 4 points
• Rajah Caruth: Would clinch with 28 points
• Tyler Ankrum: Would clinch with 38 points
• Taylor Gray: Would clinch with 40 points
• Grant Enfinger: Could only clinch with help
• Daniel Dye: Could only clinch with help
• Ben Rhodes: Could only clinch with help

 

Can Clinch Via Win

The following drivers would clinch on their win alone:

• Ty Majeski, Rajah Caruth, Tyler Ankrum, Taylor Gray, Grant Enfinger, Daniel Dye, Ben Rhodes

 

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, Etc.

 

Dawson Sutton assume primary driving role for Rackley W.A.R. – Dawson Sutton will assume the primary driving duties for the No. 25 Rackley W.A.R. Chevrolet in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series beginning at Kansas Speedway this weekend.

 

Rackley W.A.R. and Ty Dillon mutually agreed to switch roles for the remainder of the season. As Dillon focuses on his future plans, the veteran racer will remain with the team as a driver coach and mentor to Dawson with the rookie driver navigating his transition from the Pro and Super Late Model circuits to a potential full-time opportunity in the Truck Series.

The 18-year-old from Lebanon, Tennessee has made two CRAFTSMAN Truck Series starts this season at North Wilkesboro Speedway (May 18) and Nashville Superspeedway (June 28).

 

“We are super-thankful for the job Ty has done for us this year as our primary driver,” said team co-owner, Willie Allen. “We appreciate his willingness to take on an additional role and help Dawson grow and develop as a young driver for the remainder of the NASCAR Truck Series season. We look forward to Ty’s continued valuable input and support in the ongoing development of our race program.”

 

Matt Mills returns to Niece Motorsports for full-time season in 2025 – Matt Mills will return for a full-time NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series season in 2025 with Niece Motorsports. Mills has been re-signed for a second year behind the wheel of the No. 42 Chevrolet Silverado RST.

 

The 2024 season was viewed as a transitional year for the driver who spent much of his career competing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Now having a full season of Truck Series racing under his belt, Mills looks to make a run for the Playoffs.

 

In May, the 27-year-old secured his best-career CRAFTSMAN Truck Series finish with a fourth-place showing at Charlotte Motor Speedway. He quickly followed up the result with an eighth place run at Nashville Superspeedway, and to-date has accounted for a total of four top 15 finishes.

 

“It’s been a really fun time with everyone at Niece Motorsports with what we’ve been able to build on throughout the year,” Mills said. “I’m hoping to carry that on through the next few races and into the 2025 season. Every opportunity I get, I’m very fortunate, and that wouldn’t be possible without my partners. I appreciate Niece Motorsports for believing in me; it’s a dream come true to race for an operation like theirs and race for Al Niece. I’m excited to finish off the year strong and ready to keep working into next year.”

 

“Matt has been a great add to our team this year,” said Efaw. “Even though he’s been racing in NASCAR for a long time, he entered this season with a fresh mindset. The Truck Series is a completely different animal compared to what he’s been used to racing, and he’ll be the first to tell you how much he’s learned. He knows the feel he needs out of his truck now, and I think we’ll have a chance to go out there and have a great year with him.”

 

COURTESY NASCAR COMMUNICATIONS