Up to Speed: Rock N Roll Tequila 170 at Mid-Ohio Preview

By Seth Eggert, Staff Writer

It’s the 21^st race of the season and three full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series regulars have combined to score seven victories. The Xfinity Series returns to the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course for the Rock N Roll Tequila 170. Road course ringers, the possibility of racing in the rain, and stage racing are just some of the storylines heading into the 21^st race of the season.

Coverage for the Rock N Roll Tequila 170 is scheduled to start Saturday at 3:00 p.m. ET. The Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course has been on the schedule since the 2013 season. The track has hosted the 21^st race of the season since 2015. In five races at the 2.258-mile road course there has never been a repeat winner.

The last time the Xfinity Series visited Mid-Ohio, Sam Hornish, Jr. took the victory in dominant and dramatic fashion, leading 61 laps. After a late restart, Hornish had to hold off Daniel Hemric, Matt Tifft, and James Davison to win by 1.335 seconds. Six drivers that finish in the top-10 that day are entered in Saturday’s race. Justin Marks is the only former winner entered in the race.

By the Numbers

What:Rock N Roll Tequila 170, NASCAR Xfinity Series Race 21

Where: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course– Lexington, Ohio (Opened: 1962)

TV/Radio:NBCSN, 3:00 p.m. ET / MRN and SiriusXM Channel 90

Track Size: 2.258-mile, 13-Turn Road Course.

Banking: Varies

Race Length: 75 Laps, 169 Miles (Three Stages, 20/40/75)

2017 Race Winner:Sam Hornish, Jr. – No. 22 Discount Tire Ford Mustang (Started on the pole, 61 laps led).

Track Qualifying Record: Sam Hornish, Jr. (1:23.921 seconds, 96.863 mph – 8/12/2017).

Storylines Heading into the Rock N Roll Tequila 170:

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

• Brendan Gaughan returns to the No. 3 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet Camaro SS for Richard Childress Racing.
• Katherine Legge will make her NASCAR Xfinity Series debut in the No. 15 Chevrolet Camaro SS for JD Motorsports with Gary Keller.
• Kyle Benjamin returns to the No. 18 Toyota Service Centers / Mobil 1 Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing.
• Austin Cindric will be in the No. 22 PPG Ford Mustang for Team Penske.
• Spencer Gallagher returns to the No. 23 Allegiant Chevrolet Camaro SS for GMS Racing.
• Justin Marks will make his first start of the season in the No. 42 Chevrolet Accessories Chevrolet Camaro SS for Chip Ganassi Racing.
• Dylan Murcott will make his Series debut in the No. 55 Toyota Camry for JP Motorsports.
• Chase Briscoe returns to the No. 60 Ford Mustang for Roush Fenway Racing.
• Kaz Grala returns in the No. 61 DMB Financial Ford Mustang for Fury Race Cars LLC.
• Andy Lally will make his first start of the season in the No. 90 HENRY Chevrolet Camaro SS for DGM Racing.

Weekend Schedule (All Times Eastern)

Friday, August 10

• NXS Practice 1 (1:35 p.m. – 2:55 p.m.)
• NXS Practice 2 (4:05 p.m. – 4:55 p.m.)

Saturday, August 11

• NXS Qualifying (11:30 a.m.)
• NXS Rock N Roll Tequila 170 (3:00 p.m. – 75 laps, 169 miles – on NBCSN, SiriusXM Channel 90, and the Motor Racing Network)