The NASCAR Xfinity Series season continues Saturday afternoon with a trip to Phoenix Raceway.
This race is the first traditional event of the season after two drafting tracks and a road course. It will serve as a benchmark for teams as they determine whether they will have race-contending speed at the majority of ovals.
Thirty-eight drivers will be on the entry list, so none will go home after qualifying. The list of notable part-time drivers includes Aric Almirola in the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, Alex Bowman in the No. 17 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, Thomas Annunziata in the No. 70 Cope Family Racing Chevrolet, and Greg van Alst in the No. 35 Joey Gase Motorsports Chevrolet.
Xfinity race at Phoenix Raceway info
Weather: The WeatherUnderground forecast calls for a high of 65 degrees and no chance of rain at the start of the Xfinity Series race.
Green flag time: Clancy Brown and Luke Cook will give the command to fire engines at 5:01 p.m. ET. The green flag will wave at 5:10 p.m. ET.
Starting lineup: Qualifying will take place Saturday at 12:35 p.m. ET.
Pre-race: The Xfinity Series garage opens at 10 a.m. ET. Driver introductions will take place at 4:30 p.m. ET. Pre-race coverage begins with "NASCAR Countdown Live" on CW at 4:30 p.m. ET. Race coverage continues on CW at 5 p.m. ET.
Stages: The race will consist of three stages. The first stage ends at Lap 45. The second stage ends at Lap 90. The scheduled end of the race is Lap 200.
Playoff picture: Three drivers have locked up spots in the playoffs by winning this season. Jesse Love was the first. He captured the season-opening race at Daytona International Speedway. Teammate Austin Hill followed with a win at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Rookie Connor Zilisch was the latest driver to secure a spot in the playoffs. He won last weekend's race at Circuit of the Americas.
Past winners: Only three active Xfinity Series drivers have celebrated wins at the 1-mile Arizona track. Sammy Smith won the 2023 spring race at Phoenix. Justin Allgaier won the 2017 spring race and the 2019 playoff race. Brandon Jones won the 2020 spring race.
Riley Herbst, Chandler Smith, and Cole Custer won the last three Xfinity races at Phoenix. None will be in the lineup. Smith competes full-time in the Truck Series. Custer and Herbst both compete full-time in the Cup Series.