2016 VisitMyrtleBeach.com 300 Race Predictions

2016 VisitMyrtleBeach.com 300 Race Predictions
NASCAR Xfinity Series Betting Preview
Saturday September 24th, 8:16PM (EST) at Kentucky Speedway
by Jay Horne of NASCARWagers.com, NASCAR Handicapping Service

Earlier today the Camping World Truck Series kicked off their first race in the Chase as William Byron took the victory in the UNOH 175. Tonight the Xfinity Series will get their opportunity to kick off the first Chase in series history with the running of the VisitMyrtleBeach.com 300 at Kentucky Speedway. Currently 12 drivers have eyes on the Xfinity Series Championship with just 7 races remaining on the season. Therefore, expect competition to pick up over these next few races as drivers get desperate to ensure they advance through each round of the Chase and position their selves for the title. Take a look as we preview tonight’s inaugural Xfinity Series Chase and provide our 2016 VisitMyrleBeach.com 300 race predictions!

Ryan Blaney is the only Sprint Cup Series driver that will be participating in tonight’s race. Blaney will be driving the #22 for Team Penske that is surprisingly still without a win this season in the Xfinity Series. Typically the Sprint Cup guys are among the heavy favorites any time they step down to the Xfinity Series but the #22 team has not shown enough speed for us to expect a winning effort tonight especially when you consider their struggles on the 1.5 mile tracks. In fact if we look at the 1.5 mile tracks alone, JGR cars have completely dominated with victories on all 1.5 mile tracks this season. Last week, Erik Jones captured the checkered flag at Chicagoland to earn JGR their 15th victory this year in the Xfinity Series. JGR equipment has simply been phenomenal and obviously they have some of the most talented drivers in their cars which only makes them that much tougher to defeat. Based on those trends and dominance in both of Friday’s practices, Erik Jones will once again be the guy to beat when the green flag waves later tonight!

Jones posted the fastest lap in both of Friday’s practices and he was head and shoulders faster than the rest of the field in race trim. Honestly the #20 car has looked so dominant that it may take a mistake or misfortune to keep him out of victory lane tonight. I simply do not believe anyone can beat the #20 unless they find trouble. However, there are plenty of guys that are up for the challenge. Everyone understands that a win locks a driver into the next round of the Chase. Therefore if there is a late race restart or an opportunity for drivers to get aggressive, rest assured they will take chances for the victory in the closing laps if given the opportunity.

So who has the best opportunity to upset Erik Jones and the #20 team tonight? I think the best possibilities could be Jones’ teammates in Daniel Suarez and Matt Tift. It would be a great feel good story if Tift could score the win tonight if you consider the fact he was sidelined with brain surgery earlier in the year. Both Tift and Suarez have been extremely fast over the course of the weekend. Suarez poses the biggest threat giving his skills on the 1.5 intermediate tracks. At Kentucky, Suarez has also been impressive with top 5 finishes in two of his 3 starts. Suarez also won the pole for this race 1 year ago.

Outside of the JGR brigade, Sam Hornish Jr, Justin Allgaier, Elliott Sadler, and possibly Ty Dillon appear to be drivers that could potentially sneak into the picture. Sadler has run very well in recent weeks and he could make some noise in this Chase if he keeps it up. Judging from practices, I though Hornish and Allgaier were the best of the cars that were not JGR Toyotas. Hornish was very consistent throughout both sessions and had the 3rd fastest team in each practice. Allgaier was not as high on the leader boards but his times in race trim did not fall off as much. I think the #7 could really excel on the longer runs if the race allows that opportunity. Since Jones is such an overwhelming favorite, you will either have to take your chances with other drivers or find creative ways to bet Jones. Take a look at our 2016 VisitMyrtleBeach.com 300 race predictions.