The NASCAR XFINITY Series returns from its hiatus with the division’s first night race of the year at Texas Motor Speedway. After three weeks away from the track, the drivers will be eager to reach victory lane in race number six of the 2015 season.
Heading into Texas, Chase Elliott will enters the event as the defending race winner. Last season, Elliott captured his first career XFINITY series win at the track. If Elliott wins again, he will be the first of four drivers – Elliott, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kurt Busch and Trevor Bayne, all who captured their first XFINITY win at Texas — to defend their first win at the 1.5-mile long speedway. While looking to accomplish that feature, he is still looking for his first win of the year.
Making his first start in the XFINITY Series will be Brandon Gdovic, who will be driving the No. 55 entry for Viva Motorsports. Gdvovic has competed in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East over the last four seasons, and has one victory.
Mike Bliss will make his 350th XFINITY Series start this weekend, and in doing so, he will tie Randy LaJoie and Kevin Lepage for ninth in the series’ all-time starts list.
Meanwhile, the XFINITY Series regulars prepare to make their return to the track in the midst of a quest to win the title. This week’s list of double-duty drivers will consist of Earnhardt, Brad Keselowski, Austin Dillon, Sam Hornish, Jr. and Denny Hamlin.
During last year’s race at Texas, Kevin Harvick started the race from the pole position, and led the most laps until Elliott passed him with a few laps to go for the win. Going into this year’s race, Harvick will not be within the field, but the XFINITY Series regulars will still have to pass the Cup drivers if they want to win at Texas.
With both Kyle Busch and Harvick — two drivers with some of the highest driver ratings at Texas — out, it leaves plenty of room for anyone to capture the win.
Going into Friday night’s race, Ty Dillon goes in as the championship leader, with a five-point lead over second place Chris Buescher. In the race for Rookie of the Year honors, Darrell Wallace Jr. currently leads by eight points over Daniel Suarez and 11 points over Ross Chastain in third.
Over the years her work has been featured in various publications, with some of most recent work being featured on NJTV News, RantSports and New Jersey Newsroom.
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