NASCAR Xfinity Series Predictions at Atlanta
Austin Hill racing for the win as Parker Kligerman spins coming to the finish of the RAPTOR King of Tough 250.
The NASCAR Xfinity Series returns to Atlanta Motor Speedway for the second time this season for the Alsco Uniforms 250 at 8 PM EST on USA.
This will be the first time the Xfinity drivers have raced under the lights with the new reconfigured surface. After a rain shortened weekend in Chicago, the drivers will be eager to increase the speeds to nearly 180 MPH.
Austin Hill enters as the early favorite to win, and with his success on this style of racing it’s no wonder why he’s on everyone’s radar. He finished 2nd at the Spring Atlanta race in 2022 and has won the last two races at the track. He’s led 203 laps across all three races, including 103 in the ‘23 Spring race, which happens to be his most recent Xfinity win. Hill will be looking for win #4 of the season this Saturday night.
Ty GIbbs and Justin Haley are the only Cup drivers scheduled to race, both coming in with momentum. Haley earned his first Top 5 of the Cup season after finishing 2nd in Chicago after starting in 37th. Ty Gibbs finished 9th, earning his first Top 10 since Bristol Dirt in the Spring. Haley and Gibbs have has success on super speedway style racing. Gibbs won the ‘22 Spring Xfinity race and Haley has 4 Xfinity wins across Daytona and Talladega, along with a Top 10 in the ‘23 Spring Xfinity race. Both will be looking to add their first NASCAR win of the season.
Josh Berry will also be looking for his first Xfinity win of the season. He’s finished inside the Top 10 in his last two races at Atlanta, including a 2nd in the ‘22 Summer Xfinity race. He’s yet to reach victory lane this season, and his last five finishes show a pattern that will continue this Saturday: 15th, 4th, 33rd, 5th, 23rd. Incoming Top 5 for Berry.
Daniel Hemric has had a rough 2023 season, although things look like they’re turning around for the 2021 Xfinity Champion. He’s been a contender in the last two races at Atlanta, with finishes of 5th in last year’s race and 2nd in the Spring race in controversial fashion. Look for the #11 to run up front on Saturday.
Riley Herbst once again enters as a longs hot to win, but he’s had success in Atlanta since the reconfiguration. His average finish under the new Atlanta is 6th. He finished 4th in ‘22 Spring, 9th in ‘22 Summer, and 5th in ‘23 Spring. Lookout for Stewart-Haas to look for back-to-back Xfinity wins in 2023.