Previewing the Xfinity Series Virginia 529 College Savings 250 at Richmond

By Seth Eggert, NASCAR Writer

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

This weekend the NASCAR Xfinity Series travels to Richmond Raceway for the Virginia 529 College Savings 250, the 24th race of the season. Sadler continues to lead the Championship Point standings, despite not scoring a win. He leads with 91-points over his JR Motorsports teammate, Byron.

Richmond also marks the debut of the flange-fit composite bodies for the Xfinity Series. These bodies are optional this year and include features that deter tampering of specific areas of the car. Ultimately, it is meant to be a cost-cutting measure.

The last time the Xfinity Series visited Richmond, Kyle Larson took the victory. He held off Allgaier after a late race restart before the race ended under caution. Daniel Hemric, Austin Dillon, and Ryan Blaney rounded out the top five that day.

Kyle Busch, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Jeff Green, and Brad Keselowski are the only former winners at Richmond in Saturday’s field.

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers in Saturday’s field include Busch, Earnhardt, Keselowski, Paul Menard, and Ty Dillon.

Xfinity Series Championship

Only eight NASCAR Xfinity Series regulars that have Playoff points. Byron leads the series with 17 Playoff Points. Allgaier has eight Playoff points, Clements and Reed have five, while Sadler has five Playoff points and Blake Koch has two. Brendan Gaughan and Daniel Hemric have a single Playoff point each.

The race for the Playoffs is only getting tighter with three races left as Koch, who sits eighth in points only has a cushion of 44-points over Dakota Armstrong. Michael Annett who sits ninth in points, has a cushion of 23-points over Armstrong. Gaughan, 11th, has just 20-points over Armstrong.

At Richmond, the first stage ends on lap 75, the second stage on lap 150, and the final stage on lap 250.

What to Watch for in the Virginia 529 College Savings 250

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

• Paul Menard returns to the No. 2 Richmond / Menards Chevrolet Camaro for Richard Childress Racing.
• Ty Dillon returns to the No. 3 Rheem Chevrolet Camaro for Richard Childress Racing.
• Kyle Busch will be in the No. 18 NOS Energy Drink Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing.
• Christopher Bell will be in the No. 20 TOYOTA.com Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing.
• Brad Keselowski will be in the No. 22 Fitzgerald Glider Kits Ford Mustang for Team Penske.
• Tyler Reddick returns to the No. 42 BBR / Jason Aldean Chevrolet Camaro for Chip Ganassi Racing.
• Dale Earnhardt, Jr. returns in the No. 88 Degree Deodorant Chevrolet Camaro for JR Motorsports.
• Ben Kennedy will be in the No. 96 Chevrolet Camaro for GMS Racing.

Where and When to Watch (All Times Eastern)

Practice 1: Friday, September 8, at 8:00 a.m., NBC Sports App

Qualifying: Friday, September 8, at 4:15 p.m., NBCSN

Race: Friday, September 8, at 7:30 p.m. on NBCSN, NBC Sports Live Extra, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, and the Motor Racing Network.