Previewing the NASCAR Xfinity Series Service King 300 at Auto Club

By Seth Eggert, NASCAR Writer

The last time the NASCAR Xfinity Series visited Auto Club Speedway, Austin Dillon took home the victory in thrilling fashion, leading only the final lap. Dillon passed Daniel Suarez who ran out of fuel, and Kyle Busch who had blown a tire with only a straightaway to spare. Darrell Wallace, Jr. was the highest finishing NASCAR Xfinity Series regular in third.

The last time a NASCAR Xfinity Series regular won at Auto Club, and was running exclusively in the Xfinity Series was Scott Riggs in 2002.

Former winners in this weekend’s field include Busch, Kyle Larson, and Joey Logano.

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers in the field this weekend include Busch, Erik Jones, Corey LaJoie, Larson, Logano, Paul Menard, and Ty Dillon.

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series regular Jordan Anderson is also entered in Saturday’s event.

Xfinity Series Championship

Justin Allgaier, Ryan Reed, and Elliott Sadler are the only three NASCAR Xfinity Series regulars that have Playoff points. Allgaier and Reed have five Playoff points each while Sadler has two Playoff points.

At Auto Club, the first stage ends on lap 35, the second stage on lap 70, and the final stage on lap 150.

What to Watch For

There are several storylines going into this weekend’s race to watch for:

• Will a Cup Series regular win again, or will a Xfinity Series Championship contender take the win?
• Paul Menard makes his first Xfinity Series start of 2017 in the No. 2 Richmond/Menards Chevrolet Camaro for Richard Childress Racing.
• Ty Dillon returns to the No. 3 Ruud Chevrolet Camaro for Richard Childress Racing.
• Kyle Busch returns to the No. 18 NOS Energy Drink Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing for the third of 10 races this season.
• Erik Jones will be in the No. 20 GameStop Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing.
• Joey Logano makes his second of 10 appearances in the No. 22 Discount Tire Ford Mustang for Team Penske.
• Brandon Jones’ No. 33 Chervolet Camaro will have Chevrolet Truck Month on board for Richard Childress Racing.
• Kyle Larson returns to the No. 42 ENEOS Chevrolet Camaro for Chip Ganassi Racing.
• Casey Mears makes his first start of 2017 in the GEICO Military Ford Mustang for Biagi-Denbeste Racing.

Where and When to Watch (All Times Eastern)

Practice 1: Friday, March 24, at 3:00 p.m. on Fox Sports 1

Practice 2: Friday, March 24, at 5:00 p.m. on Fox Sports 1

Qualifying: Saturday, March 25, at 12:30 p.m. on Fox Sports 1

Race: Saturday, March 25, at 4:00 p.m. on Fox Sports 1, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, and the Motor Racing Network.