The NASCAR Xfinity Series bluegrasses into the 1.5-mile Kentucky Speedway for the 16th annual Alsco 300, the 16th race of the 2016 season. 40 cars are slated to compete for 40 spots in Friday evening’s events. This is the first of two trip for the NASCAR Xfinity Series to Kentucky Speedway. Friday night’s race will be 200 laps and 300 miles.
The top drivers at Kentucky Speedway for the NASCAR Xfinity Series are Austin Dillon, Joey Logano, Kyle Busch, Brad Keselowski, and Kevin Harvick, all are regulars in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The top Xfinity regular is Ty Dillon.
There have been 14 pole winners at Kentucky. Joey Logano, who won the pole in 2008, is the youngest, and Jay Sauter, who won the pole in 2001, is the oldest pole winner. Kentucky Speedway has seen 12 different winners in 19 races. Joey Logano, who won in 2008, is the youngest winner, and Brendan Gaughan, who won in 2014, is the oldest winner. Six races have been one from the pole. The last race won from the pole was in 2012 by Austin Dillon. Dillon also holds the race record set in 2012 with a speed of 151.643 mph. Carl Edwards see the qualifying record in 2005 with a speed of 181.287 mph.
Elliott Sadler, who has one win in 2016, explains what the new surface means. “The surface is new to everyone. We are all going in with a blank notebook. We know it’s going to be fast and smooth. The unknown is what makes it fun and exciting for this weekend. We want to unload fast and adapt as quickly as we can to what we feel like the car will need during the race. Kevin (Meendering) and I are really looking forward to it.”
Bubba Wallace Jr., who was fined by NASCAR this week, explains what it means to race at Kentucky. “Kentucky is going to be fast. That new pavement will mean that the inside line will be key all race long. Hopefully we will have a strong Ford EcoBoost Ford that will get up front and we can contend for the win come the end of the night.”
Austin Dillon ponders on what it means to race at Kentucky. “I love Kentucky Speedway. I had my first two NASCAR XFINITY Series wins there. I didn’t run the XFINITY Series car there last year, but I’m ready to get back to Kentucky this weekend with the No. 2 Rheem team. We’ll have a lot of track time on Thursday to get used to the new surface. Danny (Stockman, crew chief) and the guys have been working really hard and I’m sure we’ll unload a fast Chevrolet.”
The NASCAR Xfinity Series will have three practice session on Thursday on NBCSN. Qualifying will be Friday afternoon at 4:45 pm on NBCSN. The Alsco 300 will be live on NBCSN and Performance Racing Network on Friday evening beginning at 8:30 pm.
- Busch Sweeps at Bristol - August 20, 2017
- Busch Wins UNOH 200 From Pole - August 17, 2017
- Busch Scores NCWTS Bristol Pole - August 16, 2017