The Xfinity Series is hurtling towards a spine-tingling climax at the Kansas Speedway. With only one race remaining in the regular season, the playoff field will soon be set in stone after the pulse-pounding Kansas Lottery 300 this Saturday. And the #9 driver, JR Motorsports‘s Brandon Jones is a serious contender. 

Ten drivers have etched their names in the playoff picture, and it’s a star-studded lineup. Eight of them earned their spots through race victories, led by Austin Hill and John Hunter Nemechek, who have won 4 and 5 races, respectively. Josh Berry and Sheldon Creed clinched playoff berths based on their points tally, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the mix.

Hours before about the upcoming race in Kansas, Hendrick Motorsports legend Steve Letarte sat down with Parker Kligerman, who sits just 1 point outside the playoff bubble, and gave his race analysis.

Hendrick Motorsports legend reveals how the regular season championship drama could unfold

Steve emphasized that despite being just one race in the regular season, it took numerous races to reach this point. Letarte believed that the key to understanding the race would be to focus on the stages.

“This is one race to decide, but it took a lot of races to get here. So my analysis of what we’re gonna see really comes down to the stages. I think there’s an outside chance Brandon Jones could upset everyone with a win because I’m shocked That they haven’t run better. I’m shocked that the eight doesn’t have a win.” Letarte stated about the ace of Dale Earnhardt Jr. 

He added, “But Brandon Jones out of Junior Motorsports can win. He has won at Kansas before, and why we haven’t seen winning speed? It can’t show up, you know, you cannot load and all of a sudden to have it. No real cup regulars in the field, I think that makes the nine more dangerous.” 

As the regular season winds down, the Regular Season Championship remains wide open. Austin Hill enjoys a 23-point lead over John Hunter Nemechek and a 33-point cushion over Justin Allgaier. The stakes are sky-high, with the regular-season champion earning prestige and a crucial bonus of 15 playoff points, with 10 and eight points awarded to the runners-up and third-place driver, respectively. It’s a championship showdown that could reshape the playoff landscape.

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On the other hand, Jones, who recently switched to the team of Dale Earnhadrt Jr, was at high stake for the win. But what does his rival think? 

Hopeful Ace of Dale Earnhardt Jr against Tony Stewart’s Stewart-Haas Racing 

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The season’s showdown features Riley Herbst and Parker Kligerman, separated by just one crucial point. Herbst’s remarkable comeback at Darlington rocketed him into playoff contention. At the same time, Kligerman’s late-race mishap left him in the dust.

“At the end of the day, we show up at the race track each and every weekend to contend for the win. It’s cool to be back in the playoffs at the moment, and I’m hoping we can keep ourselves in contention,” said Riley Herbst, who races for Stewart-Haas Racing. 

With the checkered flag in sight, the answers to these burning questions are just laps away. Will the newcomer of JRM of Dale Earnhardt Jr. clinch a win? Hold onto your seats because the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Kansas Speedway is a heart-pounding spectacle where dreams are either realized or dashed with every wheel twist. 

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