What’s up everyone?! Welcome to The Inside Line: Xfinity Series. Larkin8 here and this week we will be covering all the drivers participating in the Ford EcoBoost 300 NASCAR XFINITY Series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. If you have any other questions be sure to jump into the NASCAR Talk slack channel for assistance from our NASCAR coaches. You can follow me on Twitter @Larkin8
Christopher Bell $11,800
Bell has been the best car for the 2nd half of the season. He has had the most speed and has also secured by far the most wins during the late stretch. He did not perform well in the championship final last year when we saw Reddick dominate and win so that is something to consider. I do expect this team to be better prepared and be a threat for the win.
Cole Custer $11,200
Custer won here in 2017 and has been fantastic all year long. He has been a bit off of Bell, Reddick and even Allgaier in terms of speed as of late but all 4 are so close it is a bit of a toss up. Play Custer as a dom and race winner as well.
Tyler Reddick $10,900
Reddick is going to be the pre race favorite simply because of what he did in this race last year. He rode right up against the wall all race long and destroyed the competition. He definitely figured out the secret and it will be interesting to see if he can repeat that championship winning performance this week. Top dom threat.
Justin Allgaier $10,600
Allgaier hasn’t been too far off speed wise from the “big 3” all year long. He had simply failed to produce a win. That all changed last week when he won in Phoenix. Momentum is a huge thing for teams in these situations and I also love Allgaiers experience over the other 3. Probably not the dom threat the other three are but I would expect to see him at the front when it matters most.
Chase Briscoe $10,100
Briscoe would be my pick for a driver who can contend for the win outside of the championship 4. only downside is that we have seen drivers running for the title get breaks from their fellow competitors. I don’t think Briscoe will push early against these guys meaning I don’t see him as an early dom but I do think late in the going if he is near the front he will give it a go. Former Truck Series winner here.
Austin Cindric $9,800
Cindric finished 5th in this race last year and will carry top 5 upside again. He is known for pushing the issue at times so I could see him shoving his way into the top 5 discussion late. He will need to offer place diff though to realistically be worth playing.
Noah Gragson $9,500
Gragson continues to be a 5th to 8th place car most weeks and nothing changes for this one. Solid overall play who in the right situation can be a strong play.
Brandon Jones $9,300
As much as I like to give Brandon Jones a hard time he has been really solid as of late. Now, part of that is down to lack of competition in Trucks and Xfinity but either way he is delivering. he will be another driver fighting for a 5th-8th place spot.
Harrison Burton $9,100
This is obviously a top 5 level car but Burton has really struggled to contend that far up. I would expect him to run in the back end of the top 10. If he qualifies outside the top 10 he is a great play but otherwise limit your ownership.
Michael Annett $8,900
Annett has been solid overall on the 1.5 mile tracks even scoring some top 5 finishes. While overall I don’t think he will do that this week I do believe he could score a top 10. Decent play.
John H. Nemechek $8,700
JHN finished 3rd in this race last year but that was in the elite #42. He is in the mediocre #23 which speed wise is about a 14th place car. He will likely qualify around 14th but his talent on restarts and long runs will likely see him move well into the top 10. If he qualifies 12th or worse he is a great play.
Ryan Sieg $8,500
The 1.5 mile tracks has been Sieg’s specialty this season. He has scored numerous top 10s but usually in the 8th to 10th range. Due to this he is reliant on place diff. His upside will clearly depend on where he starts. The further back the better.
Justin Haley $8,300
Haley is very similar to Sieg. Top 10s on almost all the 1.5 mile tracks but doesn’t really get close to the top 5. All about the place diff.
Jeb Burton $8,100
Burton is back in the #8 for JRM this week. One of the few cars with legit top 5 upside. Would expect him to run around 7th or 8th and with a little luck sneak into the top 5. Great value here price wise.
Josh Williams $7,900
Williams coninuted his good run with a 15th last week. He usually runs around 17th, posses top 15 upside and often offers good place diff as he qualifies several spots below where he usually ends up. Someone to watch again.
Alex Labbe $7,800
Labbe will be racing the #90 for DGM. He is Josh William’s teammate and has a very similar upside. Not much else to say.
Gray Gaulding $7,600
Gaulding is still a solid play as he is running around 13th every week. The more place differential the better for sure but either way he is a good play.
Jeremy Clements $7,400
Clements is another one of those drivers who scores lots of top 15 finishes. He comes with a higher finishing upside than the Gaulding, Labbe and Williams types but he also starts a lot closer to where he finishes. Due to this he struggles to be of optimal value. If he ever qualifies 15th or worse though get you some Clements.
Garrett Smithley $7,200
Smithley is again a place differential champ. The further back he starts the better. Should finishes inside top 25.
Brandon Brown $7,100
Brown is roughly a 17th or 18th place car every time out on the 1.5 mile tracks. He will certainly have top 15 upside with things go his way. Another driver who we want as much place diff as possible. Will be racing the #68 this week instead of the #86 but upside remains the same.
Ray Black Jr $6,900
Black continues to be the cheapest top 15 threat in the field. Dude has finished 14th, 12th and 14th his last 3 races and almost always seems to offers strong positive place diff. Love Black this week. One of the best values out there.
Stephen Leicht $6,800
Going to start breezing through these guys that we have seen the same thing all year. Leicht is about a 25th place car every week and at this price that isn’t good enough.
BJ McLeod $6,700
Mcleod has been a 19th or 20th place finisher every time he is in the #4 for JDM. I really like his value when he is in this car as with the right place diff he can score 30+ However there is likely to be better bang for the buck lower down.
Vinnie Miller $6,500
Vinnie Miller is still all about the place diff. You will need him to start in the vewry back and get up towards 25th to be worth playing. Certainly possible.
Ja Junior Avila $6,400
Avila is in the #99 this week. The car has been a top 25 machine with other drivers but Avila lacks the talent to get the most out of it. Needs elite obvious place diff to be viable.
Landon Cassill $6,200
start and park. fade.
David Starr $6,100
26th or better in 5 of the last 7 races. If he qualifies outside the top 30 he is definitely worth some ownership as he can score well. He does have reliability issues though so play with caution but a killer gpp play.
Bobby Earnhardt $6,000
Will likely qualify horribly. So will offer good place diff if he does but he lacks talent. His upside is limited as a result. Be careful too as he is a crash risk.
Tyler Matthews $5,900
Matthews is an ok play when driving the #15 but he is limited talent wise and is dependent on place diff. Get some ownership if he starts 30th or worse.
Matt Mills $5,700
Mills is very similar to his teammate Miller but at a much cheaper price. He also is a better driver and has a better shot at scoring a top 25 finish.
Will Rodgers $5,600
Driving the #86 for Brandon Brown. Rodgers is a top racer in the K&N West Series however he is mainly known for his road racing ability. He is a solid overall driver and I expect him to run in the 18th to 22nd range. Good play. The more place diff. the better.
Joey Gase $5,400
Gase has continued to be a fantastic run finishing 26th or better in 9 of last 11 races. Almost always offers killer place diff too. Great punt play.
Chad Finchum $5,300
Had same sponsor setup last week and parked it. Idk what to expect anymore but he is in the #61 which is the top car and would have top 20 upside if I knew he would run the whole race. If he does he is a good play but risky as hell.
Cj McLaughlin $5,200
24th and 27th the last two 1.5 mile tracks. He isn’t the best driver but the car is good and he can score well if he qualifies poorly.
Timmy Hill $5,000
Start and park. fade.
Colin Garrett $4,900
Driving the #26 for Sam Hunt Racing. This is a brand new tea, that will be running a Toyota car and crew chiefed by Brian Keselowski. I think this car will compete for a top 20 so it will be all about place diff. Definitely someone to pay attention to.
Joe Nemechek $4,700
Driving the #74 this week for Mike Harmon. He finished 22nd at the Roval in this car but that isn’t the same as a 1.5 mile intermediate track. I think he can run around 25th though and depending on place diff can be a solid play.
JJ Yeley $4,600
Start and park. fade