CHANDLER SMITH – MOTORSPORT AMERICA PHOTO
TWO GEORGIANS TO BATTLE IN TEXAS FOR THE TOP SPOT ON THE XFINITY LEADERBOARD
by Derek Jackson
The 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series Points Race heads to the Circuit of the Americas road course this weekend in Austin, Texas.
Chandler Smith, driver of the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 81 Toyota, sits atop the Xfinity points race leaderboard fresh off his win at Phoenix.
The Pickens County, Georgia native has four Top Five finishes in the 2024 season, and sits atop the points race pack with 183 points.
Smith has lead 163 laps this season, and looks again to have the rest of the field in his rear-view mirror during the race.
Smith’s fellow Georgian Austin Hill from Douglas County is one point behind the leader and has four Top Five finishes to his credit as well.
Austin Hill will be driving the Richard Childress Racing No. 21, as he sets his sights on claiming the top spot in the Xfinity points race.
Hill has had considerable success on road courses in the past, and looks to be a force to be reckoned with at the Austin road course.
Both Georgians hold a commanding lead over the next competitor Cole Custer, who has a total of 150 points.
This marks the fourth consecutive season NASCAR has traveled to COTA and will feature two races on Saturday with the Cup event scheduled for Sunday.
Saturday, March 23 — NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, 1:30 p.m. ET (FS1)
Saturday, March 23 — NASCAR Xfinity Series, 5 p.m. ET (FS1)
Sunday, March 24 — NASCAR Cup Series, 3:30 p.m. ET (FOX)