While the Cup Series battles in New Hampshire, the stars of the NASCAR Xfinity Series will get a chance to shine bright in Kentucky.
NASCAR released the preliminary entry list for the Sept. 26 VisitMyrtleBeach.com 300 at Kentucky Speedway. The list includes 41 entrants, meaning one team will fail to make Saturday’s race.
Kyle Busch Motorsports prospect Matt Tifft will make his NXS debut on Saturday, driving the No. 20 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing. Tifft, 19, last ran at Kentucky in the ARCA Racing Series, bringing home a runner-up result for Venturini Motorsports.
With Kyle Busch choosing to focus on New Hampshire, Erik Jones will make the trip to Kentucky to join JGR teammates Tifft and Daniel Suarez. Jones will pilot Busch’s trademark No. 54 Monster Energy Toyota.
Ryan Blaney will look for his second NXS triumph of 2015 in Team Penske’s No. 22 Discount Tire Ford. Brandon Jones will drive Richard Childress Racing’s No. 33 Chevrolet.
Ben Rhodes and Ryan Truex will also compete in the 300-mile event, driving for JR Motorsports and Biagi-Denbeste Racing, respectively.
The NASCAR Xfinity Series will return to Kentucky Speedway on Friday, Sept. 25 for two practice sessions. The field will then return on Saturday for Coors Light Pole Qualifying at 4:45 p.m. ET. Coverage of the VisitMyrtleBeach.com 300 will begin at 8 p.m. ET on NBCSN and MRN.
| # | Driver | Sponsor | Make | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Harrison Rhodes | teamjdmotorsports.com | Chevy | Andrea Nemechek |
| 1 | Michael Self | teamjdmotorsports.com | Chevy | Johnny Davis |
| 1 | Elliott Sadler | OneMain Financial | Ford | Jack Roush |
| 2 | Brian Scott | Shore Lodge | Chevy | Richard Childress |
| 3 | Ty Dillon | WESCO | Chevy | Richard Childress |
| 4 | Ross Chastain | Protect Your Melon / Watermelon.org | Chevy | Gary Keller |
| 6 | Darrell Wallace Jr | Bleacher Report | Ford | Jack Roush |
| 7 | Regan Smith | TaxSlayer Bowl | Chevy | Kelley Earnhardt-Miller |
| 8 | Blake Koch | LeafFilter Gutter Protection | Toyota | Mark Smith |
| 9 | Chase Elliott | NAPA Auto Parts | Chevy | Dale Earnhardt Jr |
| 13 | Derek White | Braille Battery / Grafoid | Chevy | Derek White |
| 14 | Cale Conley | IAVA | Toyota | Mark Smith |
| 15 | TBA | Chevy | Rick Ware | |
| 16 | Ryan Reed | Lilly/American Diabetes Association | 15 Ford | Jack Roush |
| 18 | Daniel Suarez | ARRIS | Toyota | Joe Gibbs |
| 19 | Jeff Green | Premier Barter | Toyota | Mark Smith |
| 20 | Matt Tifft(i) | Toyota | Joe Gibbs | |
| 22 | Ryan Blaney | Discount Tire | Ford | Roger Penske |
| 24 | Eric McClure | Hefty | Toyota | Mark Smith |
| 25 | Dylan Lupton | Zaxby’s | Chevy | Tony Townley |
| 26 | TJ Bell | JGL Racing | Toyota | James Whitener |
| 28 | J J Yeley | JGL Racing | Toyota | Gregg Mixon |
| 33 | Brandon Jones(i) | Barrett-Jackson Waxes / Menards | Chevy | Richard Childress |
| 39 | Ryan Sieg | RSS Racing | Chevy | Rod Sieg |
| 40 | Carl Long | Braille Battery / Grafoid | Dodge | Derek White |
| 42 | Brennan Poole | DC Solar | Chevy | Harry Scott Jr |
| 43 | Dakoda Armstrong | Winfield | Ford | Richard Petty |
| 44 | David Starr | ZACHRY | Toyota | Mark Smith |
| 51 | Jeremy Clements | Allsouthelectric.com-RepairableVehicles.com | Chevy | Tony Clements |
| 52 | Joey Gase | Chevy | Jimmy Means | |
| 54 | Erik Jones(i) | Monster Energy | Toyota | J D Gibbs |
| 60 | Chris Buescher | AdvoCare | Ford | Jack Roush |
| 62 | Brendan Gaughan | South Point | Chevy | Richard Childress |
| 70 | Derrike Cope | Acredale Vending | Chevy | Mary Louise Miller |
| 74 | Mike Harmon | Dodge | Mike Harmon | |
| 88 | Ben Rhodes | Alpha Energy Solutions | Chevy | Rick Hendrick |
| 89 | Morgan Shepherd | Chevy | Morgan Shepherd | |
| 90 | Martin Roy | Gamache Truck Center | Chevy | Michelle Gosselin |
| 92 | Mario Gosselin | CrashClaimsR.us | Chevy | Bobby Dotter |
| 97 | TBA | VroomBrands | Chevy | Victor Obaika |
| 98 | Ryan Truex | Carroll Shelby Engine Company | Ford | Fred Biagi |
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.
Oh no! NASCAR’s favorite chosen one isn’t going to be there? Brian must be having a fit! Nobody will attend or watch without the field being filled with cup drivers taking up the top spots.
Come to think of it, this should be a fairly good race, even given it being a mile-and-a-half D-oval, without Kyle, Matt, Joey, Kevin, and Dennis-the-menace being there to dominate in their semi-Cup team serviced by their Cup crew. Now, maybe the little guy will have a half-decent shot at a decent finish.
Go Ryan Blaney and Chris Buescher!