2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series Indianapolis Preview
Photo: Kristen Enzor/IndyStar
For the first time since 2019, the NASCAR Xfinity Series will run the 2.5 mile oval at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. However, they’ll be running the superspeedway engine package instead of their regular engine package this weekend. Coverage for the ‘Pennzoil 250’ begins Saturday at 3:30PM EST on USA.
Last year’s race on the Indy Road Course was dominated by AJ Allmendinger and Ty Gibbs, combining to lead 49 of 62 laps, with Gibbs getting the win.
Best Bets for Xfinity
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Best Bets for Xfinity |
Austin Hill +275 | Top 5 -300
With the Xfinity Series using their superspeedway engine package for the weekend, Austin Hill now enters as the favorite to win it all on Saturday. Hill has won six of his eight career Xfinity races on track with the superspeedway package, with three wins at Daytona and Atlanta. Hill has recorded a Top 10 finish in his last three starts as he looks to kiss the bricks at Indianapolis.
Justin Allgaier +500 | Top 5 +100
Justin Allgaier is the only Xfinity driver in the field who’s won at Indianapolis back in 2018. His last race on the oval he finished 2nd in 2019 to Kyle Busch. Last weekend at Pocono, Allgaier finished 2nd and led 30 laps, making that his fourth straight Top 10 finish since his DNF at Iowa. Vibes are high with Allgaier this weekend.
Jesse Love +800 | Top 5 +115
The last time the Xfinity Series ran with the superspeedway package, Jesse Love was the winner at Talladega back in April. Love has already shown his skill on the superspeedways, winning the pole at Daytona and Atlanta. He finished 22nd last weekend at Pocono, and will be looking for a breathe of fresh air at Indianapolis.
Chandler Smith +1600 | Top 5 +220
Chandler Smith and his Toyota teammates are considered underdogs for the weekend, but don’t let that fool you. Smith might have both of his wins on tracks one mile or less in length, but he’s also been strong with the superspeedway package races. He finished 5th at Daytona and 2nd at Atlanta to kick off the season, but finished 25th after getting caught in the Big One. If his car is clean, Chandler Smith will be in the running for the win.
Sheldon Creed +1800 | Top 5 +220
Will Sheldon Creed finally score his first Xfinity win this weekend? After winning the pole at Pocono, it seemed like he was poised to dominate and come through, but came up short in 4th. It gives him some much needed confidence as Creed has the best average finish on superspeedway pacakge races. He finished 2nd at Daytona, 4th in Atlanta, and 6th at Talladega. Don’t count Creed out.
Ryan Sieg +3000 | Top 5 +450
Ryan Sieg is the ultimate wild card this weekend, as he’s finished inside the Top 20 in his last nine starts. Sieg has also qualified inside the Top 10 in three of his last four starts, in those three races he’s finished 6th at Loudon, 11th at Nashville, and 12th at Pocono. Not to mention, he had a Top 5 car at Talladega, but finished 17th due to a cut tire. He’ll bring a fast Ford to Indianapolis this weekend.