Hinchcliffe returns to Andretti as sub

James Hinchcliffe will return to Andretti Autosport for the final three races of the season to fill the seat left vacant this week by Zach Veach.

Andretti Autosport said Friday Hinchcliffe will drive the No. 26 at next week’s doubleheader at Indianapolis and the October season finale at St. Petersburg, Fla. Hinchcliffe ran three races earlier this year for Andretti, where he drove three seasons from 2012 through 2014.

“It’s always unfortunate to have to change drivers this far into a season, but we have to look at finishing the year the best we can for the 26 team and start evaluating and looking at options for 2021,” said team owner Michael Andretti.

Veach gave up his seat when Andretti told him he was not being renewed for next season. He agreed to step out of the car to give the organization the chance to prepare for 2021. Veach spent three years with Andretti.

Xfinity

Ross Chastain opened this week preparing for the start of the Xfinity Series playoffs and celebrating his promotion to the Cup Series. He is one of the lucky title contenders — he knows where he will be driving next season.

The Xfinity Series prides itself as the “Names Are Made Here” division of NASCAR and it fits this class well. Regularseason champion Austin Cindric wants a Cup Series ride, Chase Briscoe has made earning a promotion a priority this season, Justin Haley is being eyed for a seat at the top level and Chip Ganassi Racing just gave Chastain a Cup job for 2021. The 12 drivers are all vying to become the first new Xfinity Series champion in two years — Tyler Reddick moved to Cup this season after back- to- back titles — at the same time many are also navigating a crowded job market.

“The whole ‘ silly season’ has just been so confusing up to this point,” said Haley, a teammate of Chastain’s at Kaulig Racing who didn’t find out his friend was going to drive Ganassi’s No. 42 next year until it was announced.

Spire Motorsports wants Haley, who won for the team in 2019 at Daytona in July, to drive one of its Cup cars next year but still is working on a deal as the Xfinity Series playoffs begin Saturday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.