For the second week in a row, Sammy Smith is the Xfinity Series pole winner. This time for the Phoenix championship race. The NASCAR Xfinity Series will decide their champion tonight. While Smith can’t win it, he will try to play spoiler and win the race.
Sammy Smith was the big winner at Phoenix back in March. He hasn’t won since that race, but has competed very well in his first full-time Xfinity season. Smith’s teammate John Hunter Nemechek is still in playoff contention, he will start P3.
Smith leads the field to green, and Nemechek leads the Championship 4. Cole Custer qualified P7, Justin Allgaier P8, and Sam Mayer P16.
Sammy Smith had his playoff run end at Martinsville. However, that won’t stop him from competing for a win. Also, something to note, Smith and his teammate Nemechek aren’t on the best terms. With Smith making the move to JR Motorsports next year, I’m not sure he’s worried about working with his teammate.
Whether or not we see Smith give Nemechek a break remains to be seen. Right now, he’s set to start on the pole and will give these Championship 4 drivers a hard time if they want to win the race.
One thing I hope doesn’t happen, whatever the hell last night’s Truck Series championship was. That race was messy, dirty, and it didn’t reflect what a championship race should be. Was it “entertaining?” On a certain level. However, wreck fests that go until 1:00 AM EST don’t make for a fan-friendly product.
Sammy Smith qualifies ahead of all Championship 4 drivers
Tonight, Sammy Smith might feel how Christian Eckes felt last night. If he wins the Phoenix race, great. But he has no shot at the championship. It may just leave him thinking “What could have been?” even more than before.
This championship is going to come down to Nemechek, Custer, Allgaier, and Mayer. Everyone besides Mayer in that group has Cup Series experience. Allgaier has been trying for years to get this championship, and it might just be his year. However, the other three drivers aren’t going to roll over.
Mayer is the checkers or wreckers driver in the mix. Nemechek is the winningest driver this season. Allgaier the veteran. Custer has come close in the past and has been sneaky good throughout the playoffs.
We know that Sammy Smith is starting up front. We know that the rest of the Championship 4 are chasing John Hunter Nemechek to start the race. Let’s crown an Xfinity Series champion tonight!
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