With Chris Buescher trying to extend his championship lead, the NASCAR Xfinity Series is set to add another late chapter to the 2015 story in Kansas.
NASCAR released the preliminary entry list for the Oct. 17 Kansas Lottery 300 at Kansas Speedway. The list includes 41 teams, meaning one team will fail to make the race.
Fresh off of a season sweep at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Austin Dillon will return to the No. 33 for Richard Childress Racing. Dillon will join NASCAR Sprint Cup Series regulars Matt Kenseth (No. 20), Joey Logano (No. 22), JJ Yeley (No. 28), Kyle Busch (No. 54) and Kevin Harvick (No. 88) as the stars look to gain experience for Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400.
For just the second time in his young career, Mason Mingus will join the NXS field at Kansas. Mingus will pilot the No. 97 for Obaika Racing in the 300-mile event.
One week after marrying Kyle Busch Motorsports crew chief Eddie Troconis, Jennifer Jo Cobb will make her return to the NXS, driving the No. 10. Other entrants for the event include Derek White in the No. 13, Stanton Barrett in the No. 17 and Mario Gosselin in the No. 92.
The Xfinity Series will return to action on the 1.5-mile Kansas Speedway on Friday, Oct. 16 for two practice sessions at 2:30 p.m. ET and 4:30 p.m. ET. The field will then return on Saturday for Coors Light Pole Qualifying at 12:45 p.m. ET. Coverage for the Kansas Lottery 300 will begin at 4 p.m. ET on NBCSN and MRN.
2015 KANSAS LOTTERY 300 ENTRY LIST
| Entry | Car# | Driver | Sponsor | Manu | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | Harrison Rhodes | Nebraska Transport | 15 Chevy | Andrea Nemechek |
| 2 | 01 | Landon Cassill | GK Services | 15 Chevy | Johnny Davis |
| 3 | 1 | Elliott Sadler | OneMain Financial | 15 Ford | Jack Roush |
| 4 | 2 | Brian Scott | Shore Lodge | 15 Chevy | Richard Childress |
| 5 | 3 | Ty Dillon | Bass Pro Shops/Big Cedar Lodge | 15 Chevy | Richard Childress |
| 6 | 4 | Ross Chastain | teamjdmotorsports.com | 15 Chevy | Gary Keller |
| 7 | 6 | Darrell Wallace Jr | Ford EcoBoost | 15 Ford | Jack Roush |
| 8 | 7 | Regan Smith | TaxSlayer.com | 15 Chevy | Kelley Earnhardt-Miller |
| 9 | 8 | Blake Koch | LeafFilter Gutter Protection | 15 Toyota | Mark Smith |
| 10 | 9 | Chase Elliott | NAPA Auto Parts | 15 Chevy | Dale Earnhardt Jr |
| 11 | 10 | Jennifer Jo Cobb(i) | Mark One Electric | 15 Chevy | Mark Smith |
| 12 | 13 | Derek White | Braille Battery / Grafoid | 15 Chevy | Derek White |
| 13 | 14 | Cale Conley | IAVA | 15 Toyota | Mark Smith |
| 14 | 15 | TBA | RWR | 15 Chevy | Rick Ware |
| 15 | 16 | Ryan Reed | Lilly/American Diabetes Association | 15 Ford | Jack Roush |
| 15 | 17 | Ryan Ellis(i) | Nacy Seals/Slombie.com | 15 Chevy | Rick Ware |
| 17 | 18 | Daniel Suarez | ARRIS | 15 Toyota | Joe Gibbs |
| 18 | 19 | Jeff Green | Premier Barter Exchange | 15 Toyota | Mark Smith |
| 19 | 20 | Matt Kenseth(i) | Reser's Main St. Bistro | 15 Toyota | Joe Gibbs |
| 20 | 22 | Joey Loganoi(i) | Discount Tire | 15 Ford | Roger Penske |
| 21 | 24 | Eric McClure | Reynolds Wrap | 15 Toyota | Mark Smith |
| 22 | 26 | T J Bell(i) | JGL Racing | 15 Toyota | James Whitener |
| 23 | 28 | J J Yeley | JGL Racing | 15 Toyota | Gregg Mixon |
| 24 | 33 | Austin Dillon(i) | Ruud | 15 Chevy | Richard Childress |
| 25 | 39 | Ryan Sieg | RSS Racing | 14 Chevy | Rod Sieg |
| 26 | 40 | Carl Long | Braille Battery / Grafoid | 15 Dodge | Derek White |
| 27 | 42 | Brennan Poole | DC Solar | 15 Chevy | Harry Scott Jr |
| 28 | 43 | Dakoda Armstrong | WinField | 15 Ford | Richard Petty |
| 29 | 44 | David Starr | Zachry | 15 Toyota | Mark Smith |
| 30 | 51 | Jeremy Clements | Allsouthelectric.com-RepairableVehicles.com | 15 Chevy | Tony Clements |
| 31 | 52 | Joey Gase | 15 Chevy | Jimmy Means | |
| 32 | 54 | Kyle Busch(i) | Monster Energy | 15 Toyota | J D Gibbs |
| 33 | 60 | Chris Buescher | AdvoCare | 15 Ford | Jack Roush |
| 34 | 62 | Brendan Gaughan | South Point | 15 Chevy | Richard Childress |
| 35 | 70 | Derrike Cope | Xcalibur Pit School/Buddy's | 14 Chevy | Mary Louise Miller |
| 36 | 74 | Mike Harmon | 14 Dodge | Mike Harmon | |
| 37 | 88 | Kevin Harvicke(i) | Armour Chilli | 15 Chevy | Rick Hendrick |
| 38 | 89 | Morgan Shepherd | 15 Chevy | Morgan Shepherd | |
| 39 | 90 | Jimmy Weller | 15 Chevy | Michelle Gosselin | |
| 40 | 92 | Mario Gosselin | CrashClaimsR.us | 14 Chevy | Bobby Dotter |
| 41 | 97 | Mason Mingus(i) | Vroom Brands | 15 Ford | 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.
I see Gibbs has Busch and Kenseth entered to get some extra practice for Sunday. And Junior (Hendrick) has Harvick entered for the same reason.
Again, I ask Roger Penske, why Logano in the 22 instead of Ryan Blaney? Blaney is there, as the Wood Brothers are entered in the cup race. As much as I like Joey, and hopes he can win the Cup championship, I would so much rather see Blaney in the 22 on Saturday.
Oh well, another must-miss Saturday race!
It’s a telling sign when you check to see who’s entered and decide not to watch instead of the other way around. There’s always the drivers’ and crews’ family and friends (maybe) who will buy tickets.