NASCAR
Who Could Upset From the Bottom of the Xfinity Series Playoff Grid?
Heading into this year’s Xfinity Series Playoffs, the top six drivers have won 21 of 26 possible regular season races. While those drivers represent the top Xfinity teams of 2022, they also only make up half of the Playoff field. Of the remaining six drivers going to Texas this weekend still alive in the championship hunt, who could put together a surprising postseason run?
Brandon Jones – 2,010 points
The winner at Martinsville in April, Brandon Jones was oh-so-close to a second win just this week. At another short track in Bristol, Jones was on Noah Gragson’s bumper in the closing laps, but ultimately finished a close runner-up to the 9. Driver 19 will move over to that No. 9 car next season, but in his last year with Joe Gibbs Racing wants to go out on top. We’ve seen Jones turn up the performance in the Playoffs before, with his first career win coming in the 2019 postseason. With a career-best championship result of sixth, Jones wants to better that in 2022.
Should Jones make it to Phoenix, he knows just how to grab a checkered flag in the desert under impossible odds. In the spring of 2020, Jones won at the one-mile track after beating Kyle Busch. While the 19 team has work to do with a points disadvantage, it is not out of the realm of possibilities to see Jones go on a tear over the next seven weeks.
Jeremy Clements – 2,005 points
The No. 51 team of Jeremy Clements has already had two improbable wins in the past month. After his underdog win at Daytona, Clements was initially kept out of the Playoffs due to an illegal engine. After winning his appeal though, Clements found out his win will count towards Playoff eligibility early last week.
As one of the ultimate underdog teams in this year’s Playoffs, the family-owned team has two races in the opening round circled. Coming off the superspeedway win at Daytona, Clements will try to go two-straight at Talladega. In addition, the following week’s race at the Charlotte Roval could be a surprise showing for the South Carolina driver. Just making the Playoffs is a big accomplishment for this team, as they hope to make a deep run past the first round.
Sam Mayer – 2,005 points
The fourth driver from the JR Motorsports quartet, Sam Mayer has done everything short of win this season. In his first full-time Xfinity season, Mayer has scored 14 top-10s with a best finish of third three times. With JRM cars being arguably the fastest and most consistent in week-to-week speed and performance, Mayer is favored to move up above the cut line over the next three weeks. Could the 1 team find victory lane for the first time in these Playoffs, potentially asserting all four JRM teams as title threats? Tracks such as Talladega and Martinsville are great opportunities for Mayer to take a checkered flag.
Daniel Hemric – 2,003 points
Defending Xfinity Series champion Daniel Hemric has had a much tougher season in 2022 than 2021. While Hemric had multiple shots at a win last season, the 11 only has nine top-10s this year. 2022 has been a tough season all around for Kaulig Racing, with Hemric just barely making the cut in the regular season finale. Consistency delivered Hemric all the way to Phoenix last year though, so the No. 11 Chevrolet cannot be counted out of the Championship 4 yet.
Riley Herbst – 2,002 points
Making his third postseason appearance with Stewart-Haas Racing, Riley Herbst has shown moments of greatness this season. 16 top-10s and a best finish of third twice have Herbst reset as the 11th seed. While at a great deficit in bonus points, Herbst’s consistency could pay off in points racing across this first round. However, Herbst must stay clean in all three races if he wants to make the Round of 8 cut. While a win is possible at any of the next three venues, top-fives will deliver the 98 into the next round.
Ryan Sieg – 2,001 points
The last man in the 2022 Playoffs, Ryan Sieg was incredibly lucky in Bristol’s regular season finale. Entering last Friday night under the cut line by a wide margin, both drivers around him ran into terminal issues. The family-owned team is in their fifth Xfinity Playoffs, hoping to upset with a Round of 8 showing. Should Sieg stay mistake-free and let others falter in the opening round, the 39 could advance onward.
The Xfinity Series Playoffs begin Saturday from Texas Motor Speedway, with the Andy’s Frozen Custard 300. Coverage of the opening race of the Xfinity Playoffs is Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on USA Network, PRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. While the top six seeds are heavily favored, the bottom six all have great chances to upset, especially in the following weeks at Talladega and the Roval.
Written by Peter Stratta
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Photo Credit to Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images for NASCAR
