Ross Chastain favored to win Xfinity Nashville race after recent victories by Cup Series stars, as NASCAR heads to Nashville Superspeedway for the Tennessee Lottery 250 this Saturday. The racing spotlight shifts to whether regular Xfinity drivers can reclaim their standing following a string of impressive performances by Cup regulars in the series.
Recent Cup Series Influence on Xfinity Races
The past two Xfinity Series events saw star power from Cup Series drivers, with Kyle Larson and William Byron capturing the top spots and dominating the field. The last time a full-time Xfinity driver took the checkered flag was Austin Hill’s win at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26. Hill, who currently ranks second in the overall points standings, remains the only series driver holding a streak of four straight top-10 finishes. This recent trend has left many questioning when the Xfinity regulars will mount a strong comeback.
Nashville Superspeedway, a 1.33-mile oval, has presented challenges for the series’ usual front runners, with Cup invaders often spoiling their chances. In the past seven races at the track, only one Xfinity points-eligible competitor—Justin Allgaier—managed to reach victory lane, doing so in 2022. Drivers will set their starting positions for this year’s race through an afternoon qualifying session, following practice.
Betting Odds Favor Chastain and Cup Regulars
Sportsbooks like BetOnline continue to show little confidence in Xfinity full-timers regaining the upper hand at Nashville. Ross Chastain, primarily a Cup Series contender, leads the betting with +300 odds to win Saturday’s race. Justin Allgaier, last year’s champion and the only recent series regular to win at Nashville, follows closely at +325. Chastain heads to Nashville after a Cup Series win at Charlotte Motor Speedway and will drive the No. 9 Chevrolet for JR Motorsports in the Tennessee Lottery 250.
Justin Allgaier’s Search for Momentum
Justin Allgaier, firmly atop the Xfinity Series standings by 72 points ahead of Austin Hill, has tallied two wins and seven top-five results across nine races. Despite these strong numbers, Allgaier has hit a rough patch, finishing 21st at Rockingham Speedway and 35th at Texas Motor Speedway in two of his last four outings. In 2022, he controlled the Nashville event, leading 134 of 188 laps and securing a victory by over four seconds against Trevor Bayne.
Last week at Charlotte, Allgaier was in prime position but ultimately lost the lead late to William Byron. Byron overcame a penalty to clinch the win, marking his fifth victory in the Xfinity Series. As described,
“#WilliamByron comes back after a speeding penalty to pass Justin Allgaier coming to the white flag and win at #CharlotteMotorSpeedway! 🏁 This is his 5th career win in Xfinity. Conner Zilisch, Nick Sanchez, Justin Allgaier, & Sammy Smith, the top 5. 📹 The CW.#NASCAR pic.twitter.com/vnAfxAKEE0”
—Last Lap Insider. (@LastLapInsider) May 24, 2025
Following Charlotte, the top finishers included Conner Zilisch, Nick Sanchez, Allgaier, and Sammy Smith, all seeking to improve at Nashville.
Drivers Aim to Challenge Cup Series Invaders
As odds stand, Chastain and Allgaier appear as the strongest picks for the Tennessee Lottery 250, with the rest of the field looking to capitalize on any opportunity. With qualifying and practice preceding the Saturday night race, a window remains open for Xfinity regulars like Austin Hill, Nick Sanchez, Conner Zilisch, and Sammy Smith to break the current cycle and reclaim a victory for full-timers.
This weekend’s contest will not only test the resolve of series mainstays but also set the tone for the remainder of the season, as NASCAR’s rising stars look to fend off challenges from visiting Cup drivers and prove their ability at the Nashville Superspeedway.
