November 3, 2021 at 04:29 PM EDT
The NASCAR Xfinty Series will conclude the 2021 season at the Phoenix Raceway on Saturday night as the Championship 4 have been determined. Phoenix is a 1-mile dog-legged oval with 2 distinct ends of the raceway. Sunday’s race will be 200 laps to make up the 200-mile advertised distance. Saturday’s race is going to be a no holds bar leaving nothing on the table race and should be very entertaining.
Here are a few drivers to consider for the Xfinity Series Championship.
Austin Cindric +350- Austin secured a spot in the Championship 4 one week ago at Martinsville finishing in 2nd place. Cindric has 5 wins on the 2021 Xfinity Series circuit with 21 top 5 finishes. Looking to keep the momentum going here in the playoffs, Cindric is looking for 3rd consecutive win at Phoenix in the Xfinity Series. Look for a solid qualifying effort from Cindric and team to get great track position for the race on Saturday night and contend for the 2021 Xfinity Series Championship.
John Hunter Nemechek +380- John will come up from the Truck Series on Saturday night for the 3rd start in the #54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota at Phoenix. While John is not racing for an Xfinity Series Championship, getting the #54 in victory lane on Saturday night is the ultimate. Nemechek has 3 Xfinity starts at the Phoenix Raceway, finishing top 10 in all 3 races including a top 5 finish in 2019. John will come into Saturday’s Xfinity race with a great deal of seat time and could have an edge on the competition.
A.J. Allmendinger +450- Allmendinger has plenty Cup Series experience here at the Phoenix Raceway. Allemdinger secured a spot in the Championship 4 at Martinsville coming home in the 7th position. A.J. has 19 Cup Series starts at Phoenix in addition to the 5th place effort in the Xfinity Series back in March of 2021. A.J. is the only Kaulig Racing driver that made the Championship 4 in the Xfinity Series and the 2021 Championship would cap off a wonderful season before the team goes full-time Cup Series racing in 2022.
Noah Gragson +450- Gragson brought home the grandfather clock last Saturday night at Martinsville in the Xfinity Series and punched the ticket into the Championship 4 for Phoenix on Saturday night. Noah started the 2021 Xfinity season off rough but has since turned the season around with 20 top 10 finishes including 13 top 5s and 3 wins. Gragson placed 39th in the March Xfinity race here in Phoenix after engine troubles plagued the day. Momentum on the side of Gragson the JR Motorsports team, will be in contention on Saturday night.
Daniel Hemric +500- Hemric comes off a 3rd place performance at Martinsville one week ago after leading 18 of the 250 laps reeling off 5 top 10 finishes over the last 6 Xfinity starts. Hemric started 1st and finished 23rd in the Xfinity race held at Phoenix back in March of 2021. Hemric might have finished 23rd, but he had the 3rd fastest car in the Xfinity race back in March. Hemric has 4 top 10 finishes in the Xfinity Series at Phoenix in 7 starts including 2 top 5s. Making a Championship run, look for Hemric to rebound off the 23rd place finish back in March.