NASCAR Xfinity Series Martinsville Speedway Preview

Race Preview:

The NASCAR Xfinity Series US Marine Corps 250 is a 250 lap, 125 mile race around the half mile Martinsville Speedway. Stage cautions will be on laps 60 and 120, and the checkered flag flies on lap 250. $1,651,939 in purse money is up for grabs.

This race is the third race of the Dash 4 Cash series. An incentive program for the Xfinity Series: the top four finishing Xfinity regulars from Homestead-Miami Speedway will be eligible to compete for an extra $100,000. This week’s Dash 4 Cash drivers are Justin Allgaier, Sam Mayer, Austin Hill, and Sheldon Creed.

The Track: Martinsville Speedway

One of the original tracks, Martinsville Speedway, has been on the NASCAR schedule since its first season in 1949. The Xfinity Series first raced at Martinsville in March of 1982, Sam Ard was the winner. Ard holds the all-time wins record at the track with five wins in just seven starts. Daniel Hemric holds the track Xfinity lap record, with a 20.21 lap, set in 2021.

Xfinity Series Points Standings:

Here are the current points standings following the race at Homestead-Miami Speedway:

1. Justin Allgaier: 249
2. Sam Mayer: 220
3. Jesse Love: 218
4. Austin Hill: 202
5. Sheldon Creed: 187
6. Sammy Smith: 184
7. Connor Zilisch*: 164
8. Ryan Sieg: 156
9. Aric Almirola: 151
10. Taylor Gray*: 151

* denotes Rookie

Drivers To Watch:

Corey Day will be making his first Xfinity Series start, driving the Hendrick Motorsports #17. Brad Perez is making his second consecutive start in the Series, driving the #45 Chevy for Alpha Prime Racing.

Martinsville has a special relationship with road course ringers. The application of the brake pedal into the corner, carrying speed through it, and then applying the throttle of the corner, something those who are good on the road courses are masters at. It is no surprise that Zilisch scored the pole award.

His JR Motorsports teammate, Carson Kvapil joins him on the outside front row. Carson, in his first start in the Xfinity Series, finished fourth. A talent from the JR Motorsports Late Model Program, he was the 2021 CARS Tour champion. Look out for these two JR Motorsports drivers come Saturday night.

Brandon Jones has qualified seventh for Joe Gibbs Racing. Jones knows how to get it done at Martinsville, he won this race back in 2022. His rookie teammate Taylor Gray was third fastest in practice. Keep your eyes on the #20 and #54 Toyota’s during the race.

Sam Mayer was good last week at Homestead, and fast again this week. Starting back in the 16th spot, he was second fastest in practice. Mayer wants to get that first win for Haas Factory Team. Keep an eye on the #41.

How to Watch the Marine Corps 250 at Martinsville Speedway:

The Marine Corps 250 starts on Friday, March 28th with practice and qualifying, starting at 4:30 pm Eastern, coverage is on the CW. The Marine Corps 250 race will begin at 5:00 pm Eastern, Saturday, March 29th, coverage is on the CW.

Stay connected with Last Word on Motorsport for all news from the NASCAR Martinsville weekend.