The Ford Ecoboost 300 is set to go off on Saturday, November 19th at 2:00 p.m. ET. The finale’ from Homestead-Miami Speedway can be viewed on the NBC Network. This is the first time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series’ 34-year existence that a champion will be decided in the final race of the year in a Chase format.
The first of the Championship 4 speedsters to take the checkered flag at Homestead-Miami Speedway will become the 2016 Xfinity series champion. The four remaining drivers that will challenge for the championship are Elliott Sadler, Daniel Suárez, Erik Jones and Justin Allgaier.
Elliott Sadler:
Elliott Sadler is veteran driver from Virginia, he has the opportunity on Saturday to win his first NASCAR Xfinity Series championship and bring home the second driver title in three years for JR Motorsports.
Sprint Cup mainstay Chase Elliott did it two years ago. Sadler is no stranger to the championship pressure as he has finished in the top three in the driver points in three of the last five campaigns. In fact, he was the runner-up in 2011 and then again in 2012.
Unfortunately, Elliott Sadler and the #1 Chevrolet Camaro crew will be without their crew chief Kevin Meendering this weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Last weekend at Phoenix, the #1 hot-rod did not pass post-race lug nut inspection. As a result, Meendering was suspended from participating in the last event of the season. Operations manager Mike Baumgardner will fill in for the absent crew chief for the Ford EcoBoost 300.
In 2016 Elliott Sadler has reeled in three victories, 13 top five’s and 28 top 10’s. Sadler also has an average finish of 6.9 on the season. In the Chase, he has posted one win, four top fives and six top 10’s.
Justin Allgaier:
After a two campaigns in the Sprint Cup Series, Justin Allgaier came back to the Xfinity Series this year. The savvy driver immediately jumped into title contention form. The Illinois native has a solid shot at Xfinity Series championship for the first time in his career as the series heads into Homestead-Miami.
This year Justin Allgaier has posted 13 top five’s and 26 top 10’s. The JR Motorsports driver’s average finish during the 2016 season is at 9.2. During the 2016 NASCAR Xfinity Series Chase, he has posted two top five’s and five top 10’s. At Homestead-Miami Speedway, Allgaier has made six starts reeling in a career-best finish of 11th twice with and an average finish of 17.0.
Daniel Suarez’:
Daniel Suarez’, the 2015 NASCAR Xfinity Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year, has the chance to become the first international driver to win a series championship. The Mexico native became the first Mexican-born driver to win an Xfinity Series contest this year at Michigan. Suarez’ can also bring home the second series driver title for Joe Gibbs Racing and the first since Kyle Busch, who won it back in 2009.
“I’m super excited for my team, and I’m super excited for myself,” said Suárez. “Homestead is also going to be a race I am going to enjoy a lot. My family is also going to be there and a lot of my friends are going to be there. It is going to be a huge party for me. Hopefully we can win the thing and have a good vacation as champions.”
In 2016, Daniel Suárez has collected two victories, 18 top five’s, 26 top 10,s. He also found himself with two poles this season. Furthermore, Suárez’s average finish during the 2016 season is an 8.2. The Joe Gibbs Racer has made his series track-debut last season starting second and finishing sixth.
Erik Jones:
Erik Jones’ rookie campaign has been one of the most impressive in Xfinity series history. The Sunoco Rookie of the Year candidate has set a rookie record for poles with nine this season. The 20-year-old speedster has also gathered in four victories this year.
Erik Jones heads to Homestead-Miami Speedway with the chance to become the second Sunoco Rookie of the Year candidate to win the Xfinity Series championship. JR Motorsport’s Chase Elliott did it in 2014. Jones also has the opportunity to become the third youngest driver in series history to win the title at the age of 20 years, 5 months and 20 days.
In the 2016 Xfinity season, Erik Jones has posted four victories (most among Chasers), 15 top five’s, 19 top 10’s and a rookie record nine poles. Erik Jones also has an average finish of 11.7 during the 2016 racing year. During the 2016 Xfinity Series Chase he has posted two top five’s, three top 10’s and two poles. At Homestead-Miami Speedway, Jones made his series track-debut last season starting seventh and finishing third.
