The Cup stars stole the show in Sonoma. Can NASCAR Xfinity Series regulars return to victory lane this weekend in Nashville?
Kyle Larson and Aric Almirola’s domination at Sonoma raised a recurring question. Should Cup Series regulars be allowed to race in the NASCAR Xfinity Series? Cup regulars led 72 of 79 laps in Sonoma and finished in the top four positions. It’s worth asking if this kind of domination is fair to Xfinity Series regulars.
The Dash 4 Cash program was introduced to alleviate this problem. Prior to Dash 4 Cash races there were no limits on how many Xfinity Series races they could enter each year. Clint Bowyer and Carl Edwards won championships while also competing full-time in the Cup Series. Since 2020 however, Cup regulars have won a total of 13 times in 113 races. Five of those from Kyle Busch in 2021 alone. Limiting their races and not allowing Cup drivers to compete during the playoffs has been an excellent balance for the Xfinity Series. The spotlight is on the series regulars for the majority of the season and the entire playoff run to the championship. At the same time, those drivers can test their skills against the best of the best when the Cup stars race with them.
The Track
When the NASCAR Xfinity Series hits the track in Nashville they will be racing on a concrete surface for the second time this season. The first race in Dover was dominated by Ryan Truex as he picked up his first career win. A concrete surface creates a new challenge for drivers and teams due to the way it absorbs tire rubber. Tire rubber will melt into asphalt, creating a lot of grip for the drivers to race through. On concrete, the tire rubber builds on top of the surface. This gives the track a more slippery feel than rubbered in asphalt. Finding a setup to handle this unique track will be a difficult task for Xfinity Series teams in Nashville.
Prediction
Nashville will be the first oval race for the NASCAR Xfinity Series in nearly a month. Justin Allgaier and John Hunter Nemechek comfortably controlled the race in Charlotte before Allgaier pulled away in the final laps. Saturday’s race could turn out in a similar fashion, just with a different JR Motorsports driver. Josh Berry has already had a massive week after being announced to drive for Stewart-Haas Racing when Kevin Harvick retires at the end of the season.
You aren’t just some guy filling @KevinHarvick's seat.
You demand what the No. 4 requires.Resilient in the face of obstacles.
Calculated in your approach.
Fierce as a competitor.
There when it matters.The No. 4 is yours, @joshberry. #4WARD pic.twitter.com/i2jkI4XXMl
— Stewart-Haas Racing (@StewartHaasRcng) June 21, 2023
I’m predicting a storybook ending to Berry’s week in his home state of Tennessee. Allgaier’s Charlotte win showed that JR Motorsports might have found the speed which helped them win 14 times in 2022. If Josh Berry can handle the emotion of his monumental week, he can cap it off in Nashville’s victory lane.
How To Watch – Tennessee Lottery 250 (All times ET)
- Practice: Friday, June 23, 5:35 p.m. on USA
- Qualifying: Saturday, June 24, 12 p.m. on USA
- Tennessee Lottery 250: Saturday, June 24, 3:30 p.m. on USA
Featured Image credit: Andrew Nelles/The Tennesseean
