The NASCAR Xfinity Series will make its way to Newton, Iowa and the Iowa Speedway for the ninth editions of the US Cellular 250 Presented by American Ethanol. With the Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series in Pocono for the Overton’s 400, there will be zero MENCS regulars on the preliminary entry list for this week’s field. However, there will be a handful of new entries present for this week’s race. With the Xfinity Series schedule beginning to wind down the urgency will ramp up at the 7.8-mile track in Newton this weekend.
Details
Event: US Cellular 250 Presented by American Ethanol
Category: NASCAR Xfinity Series
Date: Saturday July 29th, 2017
Location: Iowa Speedway, Newton, Iowa
Rookie William Byron won last week’s Lilly Diabetes 250 on Saturday in an absolute thriller at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Byron led 26 of the 100 laps and held off Paul Menard and Joey Logano down the stretch to secure this third win over the season. Byron will be among the favorites to win this week’s race at Iowa in a race that will not feature any Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series regulars.
Past Five Winners
2016: Erik Jones
2015: Ryan Blaney
2014: Brad Keselowski
2013: Brad Keselowski
2012: Elliott Sadler
What To Know About The Track
The Iowa Speedway is a 7/8-mile paved oval that was patterned after Richmond International Speedway when it was built just over 10 years ago. Iowa has yet to host a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race but it hosts both the US Cellular 250 and the American Ethanol E15 250 for the Xfinity Series. Byron won the American Ethanol E15 250 here back in June and should feel confident about his chances to sweep Iowa heading in to this weekend.
The Field
Elliott Sadler enters the week as our NASCAR Xfinity Series standings leader with 665 points. William Byron is right behind him in second place with 625 points. Byron and Sadler are the only two drivers who are above 600 points so far this season. Justin Allgaier is the only other driver who has more than 500 points as he’s at 532. Brennan Poole and Daniel Hemric round out the top five in terms of the standings. They ahve 473 and 458 points, respectively. Neither has won a race but both have seven Top 10’s this season.
The recently retired Brian Scott will make his Xfinity Series season debut for Richard Childress Racing in the No. 3 Chevrolet with Daniel Defense on the hood. Meanwhile, Ben Kennedy will also be running the No. 2 for RCR this weekend. Joe Gibbs Racing will have Kyle Benjamin, Matt Tifft and Ryan Preece behind the wheels for their three Toyota cards. Sam Hornish Jr. will pilot the No. 22 for Penske and Brett Moffitt will make his debut for GMS Racing in the No. 96 Chevrolet.
A Good Matchup To Bet: Brian Scott over Ty Majeski
With so many big names out this week, the US Cellular 250 should be wide open with a number of non-regulars getting the chance to contend for an Xfinity Series win. Scott brings a wealth of experience to the table and should be motivated to make a statement in his return. Meanwhile, Majeski has the potential to deliver a strong outing but this will be just the second start of his career. Look for the veteran to give the rookie a lesson this weekend and finish ahead of him in the US Cellular 250.
Top-Five Pick: William Byron
It makes a lot of sense to bet on Byron to win based on his recent form and his overall form at the Iowa Speedway. Byron won the June Xfinity race at this track and is coming off a big win last week at Indianapolis. The leader in the NASCAR Xfinity Rookie standings will be shooting for his fourth win of the year this weekend. Even if he falls short of completing the Iowa sweep he should be in the mix with a top-five finish in the US Cellular 250 this weekend.
Odds To Win The 2017 US Cellular 250
William Byron +200
Sam Hornish Jr +320
Elliott Sadler +500
Justin Allgaier +600
Ryan Preece +1000
Kyle Benjamin +1000
Matt Tifft +1500
Cole Custer +1500
Ben Kennedy +1500
Tyler Reddick +2500
Brennan Poole +3000
Daniel Hemric +3000
Brendan Gaughan +4000
Field +1000
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