As the NASCAR Xfinity Series prepares to head to Iowa Speedway for the last time in 2015, one of NASCAR’s most familiar names is preparing for his final ride in the series.
NASCAR released the preliminary entry list for the Aug. 1 U.S. Cellular 250 at Iowa Speedway earlier today (July 27). The list includes 39 drivers, meaning everyone will make Saturday’s race.
With the Sprint Cup Series in Pocono, many top-tier rides will go to prospects and veterans at the .875-mile track. The most notable name entered is Kenny Wallace. Wallace, 51, will make his 547th and final Xfinity Series start on Saturday, piloting the No. 20 U.S. Cellular Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing. In 26 years with the series, Wallace has nine wins, 66 top fives and 173 top 10s.
While one Wallace makes his last start, another will make his first. Matt Wallace, son of veteran Mike Wallace, will make his NXS debut, piloting the No. 26 Toyota for JGL Racing.
One driver will attempt a rare double. Erik Jones, a full-time competitor in the Camping World Truck Series, will fly to Iowa for the NXS race on Saturday night after competing in an NCWTS event at Pocono Raceway earlier in the day. Jones will start in the back of the pack, with Drew Herring practicing and qualifying the No. 54 Monster Energy Toyota.
Ryan Blaney, Brandon Jones and Ben Rhodes will also get a shot behind the wheel. Blaney will drive the No. 22 Discount Tire Ford for Team Penske, while Jones and Rhodes will pilot Chevrolets for Richard Childress Racing and JR Motorsports, respectively.
The NASCAR Xfinity Series will return to action at the Newton, Iowa track on Friday, July 31 for two practice sessions before returning n Saturday for Coors Light Pole Qualifying at 4:45 p.m. ET. Coverage for Saturday’s U.S. Cellular 250 Presented by New Holland will begin at 8 p.m. ET on NBCSN.
2015 US CELLULAR 250 ENTRY LIST
| Car No. | Driver | Sponsor | Manufacturer | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Harrison Rhodes | teamjdmotorsports.com | 15 Chevy | Andrea Nemechek |
| 1 | Landon Cassill | teamjdmotorsports.com | 15 Chevy | Johnny Davis |
| 1 | Elliott Sadler | OneMain Financial | 15 Ford | Jack Roush |
| 2 | Brian Scott | Shore Lodge | 15 Chevy | Richard Childress |
| 3 | Ty Dillon | Bass Pro Shops / Tracker Boats | 15 Chevy | Richard Childress |
| 4 | Ross Chastain | teamjdmotorsports.com | 15 Chevy | Gary Keller |
| 6 | Darrell Wallace Jr | Ford EcoBoost | 15 Ford | Jack Roush |
| 7 | Regan Smith | Fire Alarm Services | 15 Chevy | Kelley Earnhardt-Miller |
| 8 | Blake Koch | LeafFilter Gutter Protection | 15 Toyota | Mark Smith |
| 9 | Chase Elliott | NAPA Auto Parts | 15 Chevy | Dale Earnhardt Jr |
| 13 | Derek White | Braille Battery / Grafoid | 15 Dodge | Derek White |
| 14 | Cale Conley | IAVA | 15 Toyota | Mark Smith |
| 15 | Anthony Kumpen | 15 Chevy | Rick Ware | |
| 16 | Ryan Reed | Lilly/American Diabetes Association | 15 Ford | Jack Roush |
| 18 | Daniel Suarez | ARRIS | 15 Toyota | Joe Gibbs |
| 19 | Jeff Green | TriStar Motorsports | 15 Toyota | Mark Smith |
| 20 | Kenny Wallace | US Cellular | 15 Toyota | Joe Gibbs |
| 22 | Ryan Blaney | Discount Tire | 15 Ford | Roger Penske |
| 24 | Eric McClure | Reynolds Wrap | 15 Toyota | Mark Smith |
| 25 | Dylan Lupton | Zaxby's | 15 Chevy | Tony Townley |
| 26 | Matt Wallace | JGL Racing | 15 Toyota | James Whitener |
| 28 | J J Yeley | JGL Racing | 15 Toyota | Gregg Mixon |
| 33 | Brandon Jones(i) | FVP / Menards | 15 Chevy | Richard Childress |
| 39 | Ryan Sieg | Uncle Bob's Self Storage | 14 Chevy | Rod Sieg |
| 40 | Carl Long | Braille Battery / Grafoid | 15 Dodge | Derek White |
| 42 | Brennan Poole | DC Solar | 15 Chevy | Harry Scott Jr |
| 43 | Dakoda Armstrong | WinField | 15 Ford | Richard Petty |
| 44 | David Starr | Zachry | 15 Toyota | Mark Smith |
| 51 | Jeremy Clements | Allsouthelectric.com-RepairableVehicles.com | 15 Chevy | Tony Clements |
| 52 | Joey Gase | 15 Chevy | Jimmy Means | |
| 54 | Erik Jones(i) | Monster Energy | 15 Toyota | J D Gibbs |
| 60 | Chris Buescher | Pearson's Candy Salted Nut Roll | 15 Ford | Jack Roush |
| 62 | Brendan Gaughan | South Point | 15 Chevy | Richard Childress |
| 70 | Derrike Cope | Amenitek | 14 Chevy | Mary Louise Miller |
| 74 | Mike Harmon | Mike Harmon Racing | 13 Chevy | Mike Harmon |
| 88 | Ben Rhodes | Alpha Energy Solutions | 15 Chevy | Rick Hendrick |
| 89 | Morgan Shepherd | 15 Chevy | Morgan Shepherd | |
| 90 | Jimmy Weller | 15 Chevy | Michelle Gosselin | |
| 97 | Peyton Sellers | VroomBrands | 15 Chevy | Victor Obaika |
Aaron Bearden is a Frontstretch alumnus who’s come back home as the site’s Short Track Editor. When he isn’t working with our grassroots writers, he can be found talking about racing on his Morning Warmup newsletter, pestering his wife/dog or convincing himself the Indiana Pacers can win an NBA title.