The Kansas Speedway is set to witness a thrilling showdown with the Kansas Lottery 300 being the final race before the Xfinity Series playoffs start. Ten drivers have already secured playoff berths, with Josh Berry and Sheldon Creed getting in on points alone. However, two spots are yet to be confirmed, so the stage is set for a high-stakes spectacle.

A sense of anticipation is building up to the regular season finale at the Kansas Speedway. It was evident in a recent discussion between the legendary Hendrick Motorsports crew chief, Steve Letarte, and Parker Kligerman. Ahead of the race, Steve Letarte seemingly warned Kligerman against the star driver of Tony Stewart, Riley Herbst. 

Letarte began by emphasizing the significance of this one race in determining playoff contention, also highlighting the journey it took to get to this point.

Hendrick Motorsports veteran Steve Letarte’s bold playoff predictions

Steve Letarte expressed surprise at the lack of success by Brandon Jones in the season, still believing that there’s a chance for an upset win from him. He acknowledged that while the winning speed hasn’t been evident, it could suddenly emerge, especially given Jones’s prior success in Kansas. The absence of Cup Series regulars in the field is seen as a factor that could make Jones and his team more formidable competitors.

“I believe this is all about stage points. I think that you and Riley will both show up. I think the playoff pressure will push you guys to be your best, and I think you’re gonna finish within a spot or two of one another,” Letarte almost warned Kligerman about Stewart‘s driver. 

He further stated, “So, is that a fair assumption? Am I looking at it correctly and from behind the wheel? Are you putting the same emphasis at the end of those stages where, you know, seven to 11 is big because it’s 0 points? So it can be a big swing in the stages.” 

Riley Herbst and Parker Kligerman are locked in a battle for the last playoff spot. Herbst holds a slender one-point lead after a remarkable sixth-place finish in Darlington, while Kligerman’s hopes took a hit with a 24th-place finish due to a late-race wreck. Herbst, still hunting for his first Xfinity Series win, will have his eyes glued to the points standings as the pressure peaks in this winner-takes-all duel.

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What are the thoughts of the young rookie of Tony Stewart on this playoff bubble battle? 

The rollercoaster season for the young racer of Tony Stewart

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Stewart-Haas Racing‘s Riley Herbst’s season has been a rollercoaster, soaring as high as second in the standings, only to be plagued by five dreaded DNFs in ten races. Now, he’s on the brink of redemption, determined to secure his playoff berth and rewrite his narrative.

“We never wanted to be in this position with how solid we were at the beginning of the year, but I know we can bounce back from this. My hope is that we can go out, contend for the win and lock ourselves in the playoffs with a victory, but we’re also going to be conscious of the points. We’re in the better position right now above the cut line, so it’s about finding that balance.” Riley Herbst stated. 

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The engines roar to life at Kansas Speedway, promising a weekend of adrenaline-fueled racing. Who will clinch the coveted playoff spots? Can Hemric secure that all-important point? Will Herbst or Kligerman emerge as the ultimate underdog? And who will claim the Regular Season Championship’s glory and rewards?