NNS: Charlotte Motor Speedway Preview 1

This weekend the NASCAR Nationwide Series will head to the Charlotte Motor Speedway for the 33rd annual History 300. This weekend marks the 11th stop on the series tour this year with 22 races remaining this season.

The entry list this weekend features a total of 42 drivers, which means two will go home following qualifying on Saturday morning, so we'll see a complete field racing Saturday afternoon. Several drivers we'll see this weekend include, Kevin Harvick, Matt Kenseth, Brad Keselowski, John Wes Townley, Kyle Busch, Ross Chastain, Johnny Sauter, Chad Boat, Kyle Fowler, Daryl Harr and Jeb Burton.

As you know, last weekend at Iowa Speedway saw only two drivers who race in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Michael McDowell and Landon Cassill. This weekend, you'll see the usual cross over drivers who will join the series regulars to go after the race win on Saturday afternoon. Whether you love them or hate them, Kyle Busch, Brad Keselowski, Kevin Harvick and even Matt Kenseth will certainly be running up front, and each of them has had some great runs at the 1.5-mile oval in the past.

Chase Elliott currently heads into this weekend leading the series points standings by two points over teammate Regan Smith. However, the second spot is currently occupied by Smith and Elliott Sadler who are currently tied, and Sadler is certainly hungry for a championship as it has fell short every season he has been a contender. If Ty Dillon or Trevor Bayne wants to be a part of the running, they will need to start making some ground up this weekend as they sit 35 and 36 points behind, respectively.

Several drivers are making their series returns this weekend at Charlotte who would love to take home a solid run to possibly find a ride for more races this season. Two of these drivers both had great runs last year in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, but lost their rides because a lack of sponsorship, which are Jeb Burton and Ross Chastain. Burton will drive the No. 98 Ford, a team that David Ragan drove for several times already this year, so Burton hopes to come out with a great run. Ross Chastain will pilot the No. 55 for Viva Motorsports, a team owned by NASCAR Nationwide Series driver, Jamie Dick. Other faces you'll see return include Kyle Fowler and Daryl Harr.

This weekend's NASCAR Nationwide Series race will start at 2:30 p.m. Et, live on ABC. The Performance Racing Network will carry the live radio broadcast of the event. Kyle Busch will go into the Charlotte Motor Speedway as the defending race winner.