Underdogs to watch in NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Atlanta

With the Atlanta Motor Speedway being a drafting-style racetrack, Saturday's NASCAR Xfinity Series race at the 1.5-mile facility gives small teams and underdog drivers the chance to shine. Here are underdog drivers to watch in Saturday's Bennett Transportation and Logistics 250 at Atlanta. 

Josh Williams, No. 11 Chevrolet, Kaulig Racing 

Not only is Williams in a Kaulig Racing car, which is usually quick on superspeedways, but he'll have a great view when the green flag drops. Williams qualified third on Friday afternoon and has two top-10 finishes at Atlanta since the track was reconfigured. He'll also have a cohort of Kaulig Chevys to work with, which could be key late in the race. 

Brennan Poole, No. 44 Chevrolet, Alpha Prime Racing

Poole nearly won his first Xfinity Series race at Talladega in 2016 and has been one of the sneakiest superspeedway racers in the field during his Xfinity Series tenure. Poole has two top-15 finishes at Atlanta since the reconfiguration, and should he survive any chaos that breaks out, should be in the mix for another top-15 effort. 

Dean Thompson, No. 26 Toyota, Sam Hunt Racing 

Thompson may be the most unheralded Xfinity Series rookie, but he made quite the statement with an eighth-place finish at Daytona. Thompson has yet to make an Xfinity Series start at Atlanta, but he did finish 10th in the Truck Series race at Atlanta in 2024. If Daytona was any indication, Thompson and Sam Hunt Racing will be a top-10 threat every time the circuit visits a superspeedway. 

Ryan Sieg, No. 39 Ford Mustang, RSS Racing

Sieg, a native of Tucker, Georgia, will be looking for his first career Xfinity Series victory at his home track on Saturday. Sieg has five runner-up finishes in his Xfinity Series career, including three in 2024. Sieg seems closer than ever to finally capturing his first win, and his 369th career start in Saturday's race at Atlanta might be the perfect time to do it.