NASCAR XFINITY Series

NASCAR Xfinity Series traces roots to NASCAR’s Late Model Sportsman division (1950s regional short tracks), formalized as national touring series in 1982 under Budweiser Late Model Sportsman sponsorship.

Late Model Sportsman Origins (1950s–1981)

Began as weekly short-track class using Grand National hand-me-downs; evolved to 300ci V8 compact cars by late 1970s. Jack Ingram dominated (31 wins); series hit Daytona, Darlington for exposure. Anheuser-Busch sponsored 1982 relaunch as Budweiser Late Model Sportsman Series (31 races, $1M+ purses).

Busch Grand National Era (1984–2007)

Busch Beer rebranded 1984 (Busch Grand National Series); schedule grew to 35 races mirroring Winston Cup. Sam Ard (1983–84), Larry Pearson (1986–90) early champs. 1990s: Jeff Green, Dale Earnhardt Jr. (1998–2001). Dropped “Grand National” 2003 (Busch Series); 31-race peak.

Key Busch Milestones

Nationwide Insurance titled 2008–2014 amid “Buschwhacker” backlash (Cup stars dominating). Comcast Xfinity sponsored 2015–2025 (10-year deal +1 extension). O’Reilly Auto Parts takes 2026. Playoffs debuted 2011 (12 drivers); stage racing 2016. 2025: 33 races, Phoenix finale.

Series produced 20+ Cup champs; Cup driver limits (5 races max 2025) protect full-timers.

NASCAR Xfinity Series cars use steel tube-frame chassis with composite bodies styled as Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Mustang, and Toyota Supra, retaining pre-Next Gen design distinct from Cup machinery.

Key Specifications

Xfinity retains traditional setup: carburetors (vs EFI), H-pattern shifter (vs 5-speed sequential), solid axle (vs independent rear), narrower 15″ wheels (vs 18″ center-lock). Slightly lighter/shorter than Cup’s 110″ wheelbase/3,500 lb. Less aero sophistication (no full diffuser/undertray); power parity via track-specific rules.

Evolution Highlights

• 1995: V8s replace V6s (9:1 compression).

• 2003: Composite bodies replace steel.

• 2011: Car of Tomorrow chassis shared with Cup (110″ briefly, reverted).

• 2012: Fuel injection tested (Cup only; Xfinity carburetors).

• 2025: Unchanged core spec; minor aero tweaks for parity.

Trucks emphasize durability; shorter races (150-300 mi) test setup over endurance.

NASCAR Xfinity Series playoffs use a 12-driver, three-round elimination format over the final 10 races, awarding points via finishes, stages, and wins that reset at each stage for high-stakes contention.

Regular Season Points (Races 1-26)

40 points for winner, dropping to 1 (36th+); +5 most laps led, +1 lap led. Stages 1/2 top-10: 10-1 points + playoff bonuses (5/win, 3/stage win, 1/top-10 stage). Top 12 qualify post-race 26 (wins priority).

Playoff Rounds

Win auto-advances; eliminated drivers drop to pre-playoff totals.

Stage Racing (Since 2016)

Races divided 2-3 stages (~25-40% distance); cautions end Stages 1/2. Incentivizes aggression; final stage full points.

Tiebreakers

Championship: wins > stage wins > regular points. Playoff clinch: most wins > playoff points > regular points.

Phoenix finale (typical) creates “win-and-done” drama; Cup limits protect full-timers.

NASCAR Xfinity Series has crowned 28 unique champions since 1982, with Jack Ingram and Sam Ard tying for most titles (3 each); Kyle Busch leads all-time wins (104).

Drivers’ Championships Leaders

Manufacturers’ Championships

Chevrolet leads with 27 titles, 23 since playoffs began; Toyota 6 recent (2016, 2021-22); Ford 8.

Summary

JR Motorsports (6 titles), Joe Gibbs Racing (3), Roush Fenway (4) top owners.

NASCAR Xfinity Series races on 33 tracks in 2025 (33 points events), mirroring Cup calendar with short tracks, intermediates, superspeedways, road courses, and street circuits for comprehensive driver development.

Track Types

Short tracks: High banking/contact (Martinsville .526 mi, Bristol .533 mi).
Intermediates: 1-2 mi drafting/tire strategy (Charlotte 1.5 mi, Kansas 1.5 mi).
Superspeedways: Pack racing (Daytona 2.5 mi, Talladega 1.54 mi reconfigured).
Road/Street: Technical braking (COTA 3.41 mi, Chicago Street 2.2 mi).

2025 Xfinity Tracks Table

Phoenix Championship 4 finale (Nov 1). Mexico City marks first international points race. 10 road/street events test versatility.

NASCAR Xfinity Series (rebranded O’Reilly Auto Parts Series for 2026) features 33 points races mirroring Cup calendar, starting February 14 at Daytona through November 7 finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

2026 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Calendar

FOX/USA early; CW mid/late; new San Diego street, Chicagoland return, Homestead finale.

NASCAR Xfinity Series (O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2026) serves as NASCAR’s primary developmental circuit, nurturing talent for Cup promotion while fostering a passionate, community-driven fan culture rooted in American motorsports tradition.

Developmental Role

Acts as “minor league” proving ground for emerging drivers like Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Chase Elliott, emphasizing raw racing over Cup tech for nostalgic appeal.
Smaller teams persist, contrasting Cup extravagance and drawing fans valuing underdog stories.

Fanbase and Community

Builds vibrant, inclusive culture via tailgating, fan zones, and scanner access for strategy immersion.
Demographics skew older (34% aged 55-64) but grow younger via streaming (up 33% adults 18-34 on Prime); diversification efforts expand beyond Southern roots.

Cultural Impact

Embodies U.S. stock car heritage with high-contact action, regional pride, and communal events like throwbacks.
Sponsorships (Xfinity to O’Reilly) boost brand innovation ties, while races promote shared enthusiasm across demographics.