NASCAR Xfinity Series at Road America 2015: Full Schedule, Standings and Preview

While the Sprint Cup Series takes a break, NASCAR's Xfinity Series rolls right along into the Road America 180 Fired Up by Johnsonville, one of the most unpredictable races each season.

There's much on the line at the winding, 14-turn course for the Xfinity drivers, who for the most part won't have to deal with Sprint Cup regulars. This year's edition of the event gets an ax in the length department at a cool 45 laps and 182 miles instead of last year's 200, but it promises much of the same in the way of entertainment.

One year ago, rain, late yellow flags and fuel came into play at a wild event. Saturday's race won't be much different as the best of the best jockey for position on the leaderboard.

Schedule for Xfinity Series at Road America

Date	Time (ET)	Event	Watch
Friday, August 28	2:30-3:55 p.m.	Practice	NBCSN
Friday, August 28	4:30-5:55 p.m.	Final Practice	NBCSN
Saturday, August 29	12:15 p.m.	Qualifying	NBCSN
Saturday, August 29	3 p.m.	Road America 180 Fired Up by Johnsonville	NBCSN

Tickets: ScoreBig.com

Xfinity Series Standings

RK	DRIVER	POINTS
1	Chris Buescher	800
2	Ty Dillon	781
3	Chase Elliott	777
4	Regan Smith	749
5	Elliott Sadler	718
6	Daniel Suarez	697
	Darrell Wallace Jr.	697
8	Brian Scott	681
9	Brendan Gaughan	676
10	Ryan Reed	606

Full standings available at ESPN.com.

Drivers to Watch

Brendan Gaughan

Terry Renna/Associated Press

While winless this year, it would be unwise to sleep on Brendan Gaughan going into Saturday.

Gaughan found a way through caution flags and fuel strategy late last year to reel in the checkered flag at the same event. After three top-10 finishes in his last four outings, another win would go quite a long way in bumping him above the ninth slot on the leaderboard.

For Gaughan, it sounds like he almost wants it to rain again, per PaddockTalk.com:

"

There's always a threat of rain there, which I'm a big fan of. Everyone says 'oh, you won in the rain last year, you won it from strategy.' Yeah, our strategy was to lead in the dry twice, choke twice, come down pit road when the rain comes in 25th and pass the whole field. That was our strategy. I hope this year, we can do it with a little less drama for our team, and we're fast in the dry, fast in the rain, whatever way it runs. I'm excited, but it doesn't bother me if there's a little rain in our future.

"

The driver of the No. 62 Chevrolet has the talent to compete Saturday, hence his double-digit amount of top-10 placements this year. Not every driver can excel at a road course or give an open challenge to Mother Nature itself.

Gaughan just did, and if he can back up the confidence, things will get a bit more interesting in the standings.

Paul Menard

Carlos Osorio/Associated Press

No matter the level, Paul Menard stands as one of the most interesting drivers around.

Menard looks like the only Sprint Cup regular who will suit up Saturday, which makes sense given his pursuit of the first Chase appearance of his career.

Menard is a force whenever he decides to take to the Xfinity level. In five appearances this year, he's placed in the top 10 four times. He's the owner of 14 road-course starts in Xfinity and tasted victory at Road America in 2001.

It wouldn't be wise to sleep on Menard this weekend. A hungry driver willing to do whatever it takes to improve makes for some aggressive driving. With 14 turns to a single lap, it sounds like the perfect recipe for a good time.

Chris Buescher

Tom E. Puskar/Associated Press

It's time for Series leader Chris Buescher to make up some ground.

It sounds silly to say considering he sits in first place on the leaderboard, but a hiccup in fuel strategy in Bristol last week robbed him of points he might need in September with so many nipping at his heels.

Last week, Buescher led after a green-white-checker restart only to run out of fuel and finish 11th. After, he remained adamant it was the right move, per Dustin Long of NBCSports.com:

"

Obviously, the points championship at the end of the day is going to be real important, but when you have cars as good as our Mustang was today, you’ve got to go for it. I’ve said it before that I’m not a fan of points racing because it prevents you from taking chances like this and getting the opportunity to be that close to winning.

"

Gunning for the win is an admirable trait and makes Buescher a fan favorite for the simple entertainment value.

It will be interesting to see, though, how he and his team tackle such a daunting road course, points racing or not. There are more than a few names who can make a jump with strong end-of-season pushes, so keep a close eye on the leader to see how things go Saturday.

Stats and info courtesy of ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.