In his third NASCAR Xfinity Series race with Kaulig Racing, Chandler Smith got his rookie season off on the right foot. Smith drove his No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet to a 183.119 mph pole-winning lap at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Friday (March 3).
The Georgian secured his first career Xfinity pole in his sixth career series start.
Justin Allgaier grabbed second late in qualifying and was followed by Cole Custer, Brett Moffitt and Josh Berry, who will replace Chase Elliott in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race.
Parker Kligerman, John Hunter Nemechek, Austin Hill and Riley Herbst round out the top 10 in sixth through 10th respectively.
Custer along with Sheldon Creed, Berry, Brandon Jones, Kyle Busch and Gray Gaulding will go to the rear due to having to use a backup from Auto Club Speedway. Xfinity teams were supposed to use the same car from Auto Club at Las Vegas.
The No. 53 of CJ McLaughlin did not make a lap in qualifying due to wrecking in practice but managed to make the race by using an owners’ point provisional. McLaughlin will start last (38th).
The No. 66 of Mason Maggio and No. 74 of Ryan Vargas failed to qualify for tomorrow’s race.
Xfinity Series Starting Lineup at Las Vegas
The Xfinity Series race in Sin City on Saturday (Mar. 4) will kick off at 4:30 p.m. ET for the Alsco Uniforms 300. The race will be broadcast on FOX Sports 1.
Wyatt Watson has followed motorsports closely since 2007. He joined Frontstretch as a journalist in February 2023 after serving in the United States Navy for five years as an Electronic Technician Navigation working on submarines. Wyatt is one of Frontstretch's primary IndyCar correspondents, providing exclusive video content on site. He hosts Frontstretch's Through the Gears podcast and occasionally The Pit Straight.You can find Wyatt's written work in columns such as Friday Faceoff and 2-Headed Monsteras well as exclusive IndyCar features. Wyatt also contributes to Frontstretch's social media team, posting unique and engaging content for Frontstretch.
Wyatt Watson can be found on X @WyattWRacing