NXS: DC Solar 200 Preview

The NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) rolls out of Las Vegas and heads to Phoenix International Raceway (PIR) for the DC Solar 200, the first Dash4Cash event this season. The first two stages will be 45 laps with a 110 lap shootout to the finish.

41 drivers are scheduled to compete for 40 spots this weekend at Phoenix. Only five Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) drivers are scheduled to compete in this weekend due to the rules set last season in the Dash4Cash events. MENCS drivers with less than five full years in the series can compete on Saturday.

The top-four NXS regulars who have declared points will race for the Dash4Cash. Those for regulars are determined by the top-two in the first stage and then the top-two in the second stage. Those four drivers will race against each other in hopes to win the Dash4Cash prize.

PIR has hosted 30 NXS races. There have been a total of 15 different pole winners and race winners. Only 10 races have been won from the pole position. Elliott Sadler set the race record in 2012 at 116.317 mph. Kyle Busch set the qualifying record in 2015 at 138.504 mph.

NXS drivers are excited to return to the “Valley of the Sun” for the DC Solar 200.

“Phoenix is a great market for NASCAR and one of my favorite places to visit on the schedule. I’ve had some success here and hope we can build on some things we learned there last year. Our lower downforce package is going to make it interesting for us in terms of how we adapt, but I’m confident Kevin (Meendering, crew chief) and the guys will get a handle on it quickly. We’re in a great position to be leading the points but this weekend we’re going to be focused on the Dash 4 Cash as well. It’s a great program Xfinity does for the drivers, teams and fans. It’s going to be awesome,” says Sadler.

“Phoenix is becoming one of my favorite tracks.  It historically has been a difficult track to get your car to handle on and with this new package we are running that will be even a more difficult task.  It will be important to utilize our practice sessions on Friday and develop a good platform for our No. 28 Toyota,” said Dakoda Armstrong.

NXS will have all of their practice sessions on Friday at 1:00 p.m, 4:00 p.m., and 6:00 p.m. (All times Eastern) on Fox Sports 1. Qualifying will be held on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. EST on Fox Sports 2. The DC Solar 200 will air on Motor Racing Network and FOX at 4:00 p.m. EST on Saturday.

Caleb Whisler
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