We say goodbye to the lefts and rights and head back to the ovals, with Dover Motor Speedway being the next stop for the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Here is everything you need to know for the BetRivers 200.
NASCAR Xfinity Series BetRivers 200 at Dover Motor Speedway Preview
After two weeks of dominance by the Junior Motorsports cars on road courses, with SVG winning at Chicago and Connor Zilisch at Sonoma, we finally get back to the ovals, with this week we arrive at Dover, Delaware. Dover Motor Speedway will host the BetRivers 200. Last year, it was Ryan Truex getting his second-ever Xfinity Series win, and first of two in 2024. Truex is back in the field this year. Can he defend his win, or will last year’s second-place finisher, Carson Kvapil, get his first win of his rookie campaign?
Race Preview:
The BetRivers 200 is a 200-lap, 200-mile race around the 1-mile Dover Motor Speedway. Stage cautions will be displayed on laps 45 and 90, and the checkered flag on lap 200. The prize purse for this race is a total of 1,651,939 dollars. Goodyear is bringing the left-side tires most recently used at Pocono and the right-side tires most recently used at Nashville. Teams will get 4 sets of tires to race on, 1 from their qualifying run and 3 fresh sets for the race.
The Track-Dover Motor Speedway:
Dover Motor Speedway, but known by the fanbase as “The Monster Mile,” is a 1-mile concrete oval in Dover, Delaware. Opened in 1969, it was originally both asphalt and concrete, but in 1995 it was completely covered in concrete, joining the few concrete ovals on the schedule. Its high banking makes it a tough track, further confirming the nickname “The Monster Mile”.
Joe Ruttman won the first Xfinity race in 1982, driving a Pontiac. Kyle Busch has the most victories in the Xfinity Series at Dover, with 5. Justin Allgaier has the most out of the active drivers, with 2. Jesse Love set a new lap record in 2024, running a 23.261-second lap.
Xfinity Series Point Standings:
Here are the Xfinity Series point standings following the race at Sonoma:
1. Justin Allgaier: 686
2. Sam Mayer: 627
3. Austin Hill: 622
4. Connor Zilisch*: 617
5. Jesse Love: 582
6. Carson Kvapil*: 554
7. Brandon Jones: 527
8. Sheldon Creed: 518
9. Nick Sanchez*: 507
10. Sammy Smith: 502
Read More: Dazzling Performance Sees Connor Zilisch Best SVG in Xfinity Series Race at Sonoma
Notable Additions:
We have a considerable number of drivers joining the field for this race, they are;
- Kaz Grala, #5 Chevy, Our Motorsports. Kris Wright and Our Motorsports have parted ways.
- Nick Leitz, #07 Chevy, SS-Greenlight Racing
- Ross Chastain, #9 Chevy, Junior Motorsports
- Garrett Smithley, #14 Chevy, SS-Greenlight Racing
- Jake Finch, #17 Chevy, Hendrick Motorsports. This will be Finch’s first start in the Xfinity Series
- Aric Almirola, #19 Toyota, Joe Gibbs Racing
- Ryan Truex, #24 Toyota, Sam Hunt Racing. Truex is the defending race winner.
- Rajah Caruth, #32 Chevy, Jordan Anderson Racing. This will be Rajah’s first start in the Xfinity Series in 2025.
- David Starr, #35 Chevy, Joey Gase Motorsports
- Lavar Scott, #45 Chevy, Alpha Prime Racing. This is Scott’s first start in the Xfinity Series
- Takuma Koga, #53 Chevy, Joey Gase Motorsports
- Leland Honeyman, #70 Chevy, Cope Family Racing
- Josh Bilicki, #91 Chevy, DGM Racing
Read More: Goodyear Brings New Tire for Dover, a New Lawsuit Wrinkle, and More: NASCAR News Flash
Drivers To Watch:
With 40 drivers entering the race, and only 38 spots in the field, 2 drivers will be sent home after qualifying.
For the Chevrolet potential winners, I think we could see Carson Kvapil get his first win here. Last year, during his part-time season in the #88 for JRM, we saw him lead 14 laps and finish runner-up. Kvapil has been good in his first full season, sitting sixth in the points. His rookie teammate, Connor Zilisch, has three wins, and I think it is time for Carson to get his first win. But don’t count out the veteran Justin Allgaier and Cup talent Ross Chastain.
For the defending manufacturer winner, Toyota, I can’t count out Aric Almirola. Cup veteran and winner this year, he can win anywhere in that JGR #19. But I am less confident in Ryan Truex, the winner of the last two races, but that was in JGR equipment. This year, Sam Hunt is in the satellite team, Sam Hunt. I still think he can win, though, so keep an eye on the #24.
Another week, another prediction of a Haas Factory team win. Last year, it was Sam Mayer, Sheldon Creed, and Cole Custer finishing third through fifth. This year, all on the same team and in Fords, I still think they have the chance to win. But something is missing from the equation; they just can’t get that first win. While I am growing less confident in them, I still think they are Ford’s best chance at a win.
How To Watch The Xfinity Series at Dover:
Here is the schedule for Saturday’s BetRivers 200 at Dover Motor Speedway:
Saturday, July 19th:
- Practice:
- 11:00 AM Eastern
- Coverage is on the CW App
- Qualifying:
- 12:05 PM Eastern
- Coverage continues on the CW App
- The BetRivers 200 at Dover Motor Speedway:
- 4:30 PM Eastern
- Coverage switches to the CW. Radio Coverage is on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
Last Word on Motorsports will have all the updates from the Xfinity Series at Dover Motor Speedway
Main Photo: James Gilbert, Getty Images
Recording Date: 4/27/2024
