The two best drivers in the Xfinity Series this season are in dire straits ahead of Saturday’s playoff elimination race in Phoenix (3:30 p.m. ET on NBC).
Christopher Bell, who has a rookie record six wins, and Justin Allgaier (five wins) each find themselves outside the championship four that will advance to the title round in Miami.
Allgaier is 12 points out of the final transfer spot and Bell, coming off two straight DNFs, is 34 points out.
On NASCAR America, Jeff Burton and Steve Letarte discussed whether both drivers would be able to qualify for the championship round.
“Nope,” Letarte said bluntly, adding he thinks neither will qualify. “Christopher Bell has to be your favorite going into it ... Christopher Bell’s only option is to win. Sometimes you have to wonder what that does to the psyche of a team, to a young racer. This isn’t Kevin Harvick we’re talking about. This isn’t Joey Logano. While he’s as talented as such, probably so. Definitely doesn’t have the experience.
“How will he handle the moment?”
Burton predicted Bell will go to Phoenix and win the race.
“You look at the points, I see the opportunity for anything to happen,” Burton said. “This race is going to be crazy.”
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