Previewing the Xfinity Series Use Your Melon Drive Sober 200 at Dover

By Seth Eggert, NASCAR Writer

27 races into the NASCAR Xfinity Series season, only four of the NASCAR Xfinity Series regulars (Jeremy Clements, Ryan Reed, Justin Allgaier twice, and William Byron three times) have scored victories during the 2017 season.

This weekend the NASCAR Xfinity Series travels to Dover International Speedway for the Drive Sober 200, the 28th race of the season. After the events at Kentucky Speedway, Allgaier and Cole Custer are tied for the points lead with Elliott Sadler two-points behind in third.

The last time the Xfinity Series visited Dover, Kyle Larson took the victory in dominant fashion. He beat Ryan Blaney by 1.173 seconds. Daniel Suarez, Custer, and Reed rounded out the top five that day.

Erik Jones, Jeff Green, and Suarez are the only former winners at Dover in Saturday’s field.

Xfinity Series Championship

After the race at Kentucky Speedway, Allgaier and Custer lead the point standings with 2,057 points each. Sadler is two back with Daniel Hemric five behind. Byron slipped to fifth in points with 2,051 points. Brennan Poole is in sixth with 2,047 points. Matt Tifft has 2,036 points with Reed another two points behind him in the cutoff for the Round of Eight.

Brendan Gaughan is eight points behind Reed. Blake Koch is nine behind with Michael Annett another 12 markers behind. Road America winner Jeremy Clements slipped to 12th in the standings, 14-points behind the cutoff.

At Dover, the first stage ends on lap 60, the second stage on lap 120, and the final stage on lap 200.

What to Watch for in the Use Your Melon. Drive Sober 200

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

• Austin Dillon returns to the No. 2 Rheem Chevrolet Camaro for Richard Childress Racing.
• Ty Dillon returns to the No. 3 Bass Pro Shops / Tacker Boats Chevrolet Camaro for Richard Childress Racing.
• Daniel Suarez will be in the No. 18 Interstate Batteries Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing.
• Erik Jones will be in the No. 20 Pixel Pals / GameStop Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing.
• Ryan Blaney will be in the No. 22 Fitzgerald Glider Kits Ford Mustang for Team Penske.
• Corey LaJoie returns in the No. 24 youtheory Toyota Camry for JGL Racing. JGL Racing will not field the No. 28 for Dakoda Armstrong after sponsorship woes forced the pair to cut ties.
• Tyler Reddick returns to the No. 42 BBR / Dustin Lynch Chevrolet Camaro for Chip Ganassi Racing.
• Ben Kennedy returns in the No. 96 Chevrolet Camaro for GMS Racing.
• Casey Mears returns in the No. 98 Geico Military Ford Mustang for Biagi-DenBeste Racing.

Where and When to Watch (All Times Eastern)

Practice 1: Friday, September 29, at 12:00 p.m., NBCSN

Practice 2: Friday, September 29, at 2:30 p.m., NBCSN

Qualifying: Saturday, September 30, at 11:35 p.m., CNBC

Race: Saturday, September 30, at 3:00 p.m. on NBCSN, NBC Sports Live Extra, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, and the Motor Racing Network.