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Xfinity Series: Full Entry List for the Blue Cross NC 250 at Charlotte
- Oct 7, 2023; Concord, North Carolina, USA; NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Sam Mayer (1) leads driver Josh Berry (8) out of turn five during the Drive for the Cure 250 at Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

The Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval stands as one of NASCAR’s most demanding venues, and this Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series cutoff race promises to deliver heart-stopping action. With 42 drivers locked and loaded for the Round of 8 elimination race, the entry list reveals a fascinating mix of playoff contenders, road course specialists, and hungry underdogs all gunning for their piece of glory.

Playoff Pressure Mounts as Entry List Takes Shape

Saturday’s entry list tells the story of a series hitting its most crucial point. Connor Zilisch, already secured in the Round of 8 after his dominant Regular Season Championship campaign, leads a field that’s absolutely stacked with talent. The 19-year-old from Mooresville will pilot the No. 88 WeatherTech Chevrolet for JR Motorsports, and his confidence has to be sky-high after locking up his playoff spot at Kansas Speedway.

But Zilisch isn’t the only story worth following. The entry list showcases some intriguing storylines that’ll have fans glued to their seats on race day. Daniel Hemric, a Craftsman Truck Series regular, makes his return to Kaulig Racing behind the wheel of the No. 11 Action Industries Chevrolet. Hemric knows this track, and his experience could shake up the playoff picture in ways nobody’s expecting.

Special Additions Heat Up the Competition

The entry list reveals some fascinating one-off appearances that could completely change the complexion of Saturday’s race. Connor Mosack joins the JR Motorsports stable in the No. 9 CLT Wholesale Chevrolet, bringing fresh energy to an already potent lineup. Meanwhile, Corey Day steps into the No. 17 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, adding another layer of intrigue to the proceedings.

These additions matter more than casual observers might realize. The Roval demands precision, patience, and the ability to adapt on the fly. Fresh faces behind the wheel can disrupt established rhythms and create opportunities that wouldn’t exist otherwise.

JR Motorsports Flexes Their Muscle

Looking at the entry list, JR Motorsports emerges as the team to beat with an absolutely loaded roster. Justin Allgaier brings his veteran savvy in the No. 7 Hellmann’s Squeeze Bottle Chevrolet. At the same time, Sammy Smith pilots the No. 8 Pilot Chevrolet with the hunger of someone still fighting for his first championship.

Carson Kvapil rounds out their core lineup in the No. 1 Registix Chevrolet, and when you add Zilisch and Mosack to the mix, they’ve got five legitimate contenders. The depth shown in this entry list gives JR Motorsports multiple paths to victory, and Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s organization has proven time and again that it knows how to prepare cars for road course racing.

Dark Horse Contenders Lurk in Entry List

Every entry list has its sleepers, and Saturday’s lineup features several drivers capable of stealing the spotlight. Jesse Love, driving the No. 2 Whelen/NFFF Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing, has shown flashes of brilliance all season long. The 20-year-old from Menlo Park, California, brings West Coast road racing experience that translates beautifully to the Roval’s unique challenges.

Austin Hill, wheeling the No. 21 Bennett Transportation Chevrolet for RCR, represents another threat that playoff contenders can’t afford to overlook. Hill’s aggressive driving style and willingness to take risks could pay huge dividends on a track where track position means everything.

Blue Cross North Carolina 250 at the Charlotte Roval

Xfinity Series: Entry List

(i) indicates drivers ineligible for playoff and or championship points 

  • 1. Sheldon Creed, No. 00 (Haas Factory Team, Ford)
  • 2. Carson Kvapil, No. 1 (JR Motorsports, Chevrolet)
  • 3. Jesse Love, No. 2 (Richard Childress Racing, Chevrolet)
  • 4. Parker Retzlaff, No. 4 (Alpha Prime Racing, Chevrolet)
  • 5. Nick Leitz, No. 07 (SS GreenLight Racing, Chevrolet)
  • 6. Justin Allgaier, No.7 (JR Motorsports, Chevrolet)
  • 7. Sammy Smith, No. 8 (JR Motorsports, Chevrolet)
  • 8. Connor Mosack (i), No. 9 (JR Motorsports, Chevrolet)
  • 9. Daniel Dye, No. 10 (Kaulig Racing, Chevrolet)
  • 10. Daniel Hemric (i), No. 11 (Kaulig Racing, Chevrolet)
  • 11. Garrett Smithley, No. 14 (SS GreenLight Racing, Chevrolet)
  • 12. Christian Eckes, No. 16 (Kaulig Racing, Chevrolet)
  • 13. Corey Day, No. 17  (Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet)
  • 14. William Sawalich, No. 18 (Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota)
  • 15. Aric Almirola, No.19 (Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota)
  • 16. Brandon Jones, No. 20 (Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota)
  • 17. Austin Hill, No. 21 (Richard Childress Racing, Toyota)
  • 18. Kaz Grala (i), No. 24 (Sam Hunt Racing, Toyota)
  • 19. Harrison Burton, No. 25 (AM Racing, Ford)
  • 20. Dean Thompson, No. 26 (Sam Hunt Racing, Toyota)
  • 21. Jeb Burton, No. 27 (Jordan Anderson Racing, Chevrolet)
  • 22. Kyle Sieg, No. 28 (RSS Racing, Ford)
  • 23. Blaine Perkins, No. 31 (Jordan Anderson Racing, Chevrolet)
  • 24. Andrew Patterson, No. 32 (Jordan Anderson Racing, Chevrolet)
  • 25.  Austin J. Hill, No. 35 (Joey Gase Motorsports, Chevrolet)
  • 26. Ryan Sieg, No. 39 (RSS Racing, Ford)
  • 27. Sam Mayer, No. 41 (Haas Factory Team, Ford)
  • 28. Anthony Alfredo, No. 42 (Young’s Motorsports, Chevrolet)
  • 29. Brennan Poole, No. 44 (Alpha Prime Racing, Chevrolet)
  • 30. Josh Williams, No. 45 (Alpha Prime Racing, Chevrolet)
  • 31. Nicholas Sanchez, No. 48 (Big Machine Racing, Chevrolet)
  • 32. Preston Pardus, No. 50 (Pardus Racing Inc., Chevrolet)
  • 33. Jeremy Clements, No. 51 (Jeremy Clements Racing, Chevrolet)
  • 34.  Sage Karam, No. 53 (Joey Gase Motorsports, Toyota)
  • 35. Taylor Gray, No. 54 (Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota)
  • 36. Thomas Annunziata, No. 70 (Cope Family Racing, Chevrolet)
  • 37. Ryan Ellis, No. 71 (DGM Racing X JIM, Chevrolet)
  • 38. Austin Green, No. 87 (Jordan Anderson Racing, Chevrolet)
  • 39. Connor Zilisch, No. 88 (JR Motorsports, Chevrolet)
  • 40. Josh Bilicki, No. 91 (DGM Racing X JIM, Chevrolet)
  • 41. Leland Honeyman, No. 92 (DGM Racing X JIM, Chevrolet)
  • 42. Matt DiBenedetto, No. 99 (Viking Motorsports, Chevrolet)

Entry List Reveals Strategic Moves

Innovative teams use the entry list strategically, and Saturday’s lineup shows several organizations making calculated gambles. Kaulig Racing’s decision to bring back Hemric demonstrates its commitment to maximizing its playoff chances with a proven performer on road courses. Similarly, Hendrick Motorsports’ addition of Day to their entry shows they’re not taking anything for granted.

The 42-car entry list creates its own unique challenges. Traffic management becomes crucial, and drivers who can navigate through slower cars without losing momentum will have massive advantages as the laps wind down.

What the Entry List Means for Championship Hopes

This entry list represents more than just Saturday’s participants – it’s a snapshot of championship dreams hanging in the balance. Every driver listed knows that one mistake, one moment of lost focus, one mechanical failure can end their title aspirations in an instant.

The beauty of this entry list lies in its unpredictability. Road course racing amplifies every variable, and the Charlotte Roval has a history of producing shocking outcomes that nobody sees coming. Saturday’s race goes green at 5 p.m. ET on The CW, and this entry list promises a battle that’ll leave fans breathless from start to finish.

This article first appeared on Total Apex Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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