NASCAR Xfinity Series Predictions at Chicago
Temporary grandstands being constructed along the Chicago Street Course.
The NASCAR Xfinity Series will be the testing subject on Saturday as they will take on the Chicago Street Course for The Loop 121.
This will be a race that even those with specialties in road course racing will have difficulties understanding this 12 turn 2.2 mile street course. This is the 4th road course race of the 8 scheduled for Xfinity drivers this season.
Two of the three road course races this season have been won by Cup drivers. But for this race, there are no Cup drivers scheduled to double dip in both series. This will open the door for a potential new winner this season.
Cole Custer has been the only Xfinity driver to come away with a victory on a road course. After finishing 32nd at COTA, he’s scored a win at Portland, six Top 5’s, nine Top 10’s, with an average finish of 4th. He enters as the favorite.
Justin Allgaier enters as the second highest favorite for Saturday. He’s finished no worse than 7th on a road course this season, including a 2nd place finish to Cole Custer in Portland. With an average finish of 4th on road courses this season, look for the #7 to be a contender once again.
Sheldon Creed has been long overdue for a win in the Xfinity Series. He thrives on road courses as his average finish for 2023 is 9th. He led 47 laps in Portland but finished 7th after his scuffle with John Hunter Nemechek at the conclusion of Stage 2. Creed will be more determined to win his first race on a historic weekend for NASCAR.
Sammy Smith is a quietly consistent driver on road courses this season. He’s finished 4th at COTA, 30th at Portland, and 9th at Sonoma. If he didn’t have any issues in Portland, it’s possible that another Top 10 was on the horizon for the rookie from Joe Gibbs Racing. After his worst finish of 34th at Nashville, expect Sammy to bounce back with contention for victory lane at Chicago.
Sam Mayer is another driver who’s been quietly fast on road courses. His best run of the season came at Portland, after starting 36th he drove all the way to an impressive 3rd place finish. Along with 7th at COTA and 10th at Sonoma, don’t be surprised if the #1 car contends for win #1 in the Xfinity Series.
Justin Marks will be the wildcard pick to keep an eye on. He won at a rainy Mid Ohio back in 2016 and has been a contender on the road courses. The co-owner of Trackhouse Racing will be running the #10 for Kaulig Racing, which won at COTA and finished 2nd at Sonoma. He’s worth keeping an eye on this Saturday.