The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Xfinity Series playoffs begin with drivers seeking Cup rides
LAS VEGAS — 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. Regular-season 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 is still working on a deal as the Xfinity Series playoffs begin today at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. This year’s field is loaded with potential Cup drivers and should be a fierce race between Briscoe and Cindric, who combined to win 12 of 26 events.
Briscoe began the year chasing eight wins because he believes that number will get him a Cup ride and he’s so far won seven for Stewart-Haas Racing. Cindric this year proved he can win on ovals — his first three of five victories came at Kentucky and Texas — and has been vocal in wanting his career to continue on an upward trajectory.
Cindric drives an Xfinity Series car for Team Penske, where his father, Tim, is president of the organization. Team Penske could keep Cindric in the Xfinity Series for a fourth full season or move him to Cup by either expanding its own program to four cars or assigning him to drive for partner Wood Brothers Racing. But this year has been a breakout for him: His five wins, 17 top-fives and 812 laps led are all career highs.
Briscoe has an uncertain future as he returns to Las Vegas, where he scored his first victory of the season in February. His deal to return to SHR for a second season relied on sponsorship that didn’t come together until the offseason and the organization has not said what it plans for Briscoe in 2021. Clint Bowyer is the only SHR Cup driver still unsigned for next season, but the team has previously said it wants him back. If Bowyer returns, it would mean Briscoe, one of Ford’s driver development projects, would need to find a different Cup organization for next year.
Justin Allgaier and Noah Gragson, ranked third and fourth to open the playoffs, will be back in the Xfinity Series next season with JR Motorsports. It’s less certain for Brandon Jones, winner of three races and ranked fifth for Joe Gibbs Racing.