NASCAR action continues from the ‘World Center of Racing’ as the Xfinity Series takes to the Daytona International Speedway to kick off its 2025 season. This race can prove to be a good way to kick off a run for the series championship, or even become a first-time winner. With so many new and young faces, anything can happen in the United Rentals 300.
The #XfinitySeries is back in 2025!
Don't miss the action all season long on @TheCW_Sports.
Find @TheCW at https://t.co/eJvj9fRJfp. pic.twitter.com/6RQn7VjDD9
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 14, 2025
NASCAR Xfinity Series United Rentals 300 Preview
JR. Motorsports’ Justin Allgaier is back for another year, after finally winning the Xfinity Series Championship in 2024, and he and the rest of the organization have to be among the favorites for this season opener in Daytona. He along with Sammy Smith with famed Dale Jr. No. 8 font back for the first time in years, will also have two rookie newcomers as teammates with Carson Kvapil and the rookie phenom Connor Zilisch.
They aren’t the only names to watch not only for Daytona, but the season as a whole. Joe Gibbs Racing has a strong fleet of drivers as well with another rising youngster William Sawalich making his full-time debut in the series. The entry list is full of outstanding talent for the Xfinity Series, which has proven year in and year out to be some of the most intense and entertaining races in the sport. This year’s running of the United Rentals 300 should be no different.
Who Can Stop RCR’s Austin Hill?
Any of the drivers I have already mentioned could certainly rise to the top and win this season opener. There is one driver in the field once again that has been unbeatable when it has come to Daytona. That’s Richard Childress Racing’s Austin Hill. He has driven his No. 21 Chevrolet to victory in each of the last three season openers at Daytona. He’ll be looking for a fourth straight this weekend.
He’s certainly had his name written all over this race for years now. Much like Tony Stewart used to for over a decade in the early 2000s. He gets around this place like the Earnhardt’s did. That serves him well. Hill shared a little bit about what it takes to get the win at Daytona for a promo for the CW the new home of the NASCAR Xfinity Series via social media.
.@_AustinHill has won the last three @NASCAR_Xfinity Series season openers at @Daytona 🤯
Can he make it four straight on Saturday? pic.twitter.com/IIhHb1NV3Y
— The CW Sports (@TheCW_Sports) February 13, 2025
So Who’s The Pick
While the stats and my gut say Austin Hill again. There is no doubt he’s going to be a factor by the end of the race. I like his RCR teammate Jesse Love. Love has shown great strength at the superspeedway he won the pole for this race last season, in his first-ever Xfinity start for the team. Add in he scored his first win at Talladega last season. RCR is certainly the team to beat in the Xfinity Series opener at Daytona.
Where to Watch
You can catch the Xfinity Series action live first on the CW App at 10:00 am ET on Saturday for qualifying. Then tune into the CW itself for the United Rentals 300 from Daytona at 5:00 pm ET. This new era with the CW is going to be awesome.
Featured Image Credit: Sean Gardner/Getty Images, 2/14/25
