NASCAR Nationwide Series at Chicagoland 2014: Full Schedule, Standings, Preview
Perfection in NASCAR is a nearly impossible feat, but Kyle Busch accomplished just that last weekend in Richmond. Busch will look to reach that level of success yet again in the Nationwide Series at Chicagoland.
Leading all 250 laps of the Virginia529 College Savings 250, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver was able to win his series-leading fourth win of the season. Coincidentally, he also won both the Camping World Truck Series and Nationwide races in Joliet last season.
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Busch may be the top dog, but Chase Elliott took the checkered flag back in July. Still the points leader after coming up short in Richmond, his lead has grown over teammate Regan Smith and the rest of the field.
Elliott was able to hold off the likes of Kyle Larson and Kasey Kahne in July, but Busch is a completely different beast on the Nationwide circuit. With a points title in his reach and just eight races remaining, another victory would distance him even further in the standings.
Jimmy John's Freaky Fast 300 Information
Where: Chicagoland Speedway, Joliet, Illinois
When: Saturday Sept. 13, 3:30 p.m. ET
Watch: ESPN2
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Radio: Motor Racing Network
| 1 | Chase Elliott | 916 | 3 | 12 | 19 |
| 2 | Regan Smith | 897 | 1 | 6 | 21 |
| 3 | Ty Dillon | 874 | 1 | 4 | 18 |
| 4 | Elliott Sadler | 862 | 1 | 5 | 18 |
| 5 | Brian Scott | 859 | 0 | 5 | 15 |
| 6 | Trevor Bayne | 832 | 0 | 4 | 16 |
| 7 | Chris Buescher | 747 | 1 | 3 | 10 |
| 8 | Brendan Gaughan | 720 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| 9 | Ryan Reed | 686 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 10 | James Buescher | 671 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Race Preview
Throughout the season, some of the Sprint Cup's brightest stars have battled with young drivers in the Nationwide Series. Busch has regularly been involved in those tussles, but he normally comes out on top.
The rare exceptions, such as Ryan Blaney at Bristol, usually result in at least a top-five finish for Busch, something he's done in 18 of 19 starts in Nationwide. Though he has a busy weekend with the trucks and Sprint Cup races, Busch has a fifth victory in his sights.
Prior to the busy weekend, Busch referenced his reasoning behind driving in the Nationwide race, per Jack McCarthy of The Chicago Tribune.
"I enjoy racing more than sitting in the motor home watching," Busch said. "Since I'm there I might as well participate in them and get my take on the racetrack, get my take on the tires. Physically, mentally I think I've done it long enough now that I'm used to it."
Despite winning both the CWTS and Nationwide races last year in Joliet, Busch was unable to pull out a victory at the Sprint Cup level. It might not translate perfectly, but Busch still led 67 laps and finished second in the final race.
If anyone can chase down Busch on Saturday, it will likely be the man at the top of the points standings. Elliott is just behind the Sprint Cup driver in race wins at three, collecting his last checkered flag in Chicago.
The JR Motorsports driver led 85 laps in July, more than any other race during his rookie campaign. Elliott was unable to overtake Busch at Richmond, but he earned rave reviews from Dale Earnhardt Jr., his team owner:
Trevor Bayne and Ty Dillon were the only other full-time Nationwide drivers in the top five at Chicagoland earlier this season. The two drivers are in the top six in Nationwide points, so overtaking both Busch and Elliott for a win would be a huge feat.
Can Busch earn a fifth win before the first Chase race in the Sprint Cup? Will Elliott distance himself further from the Nationwide field? Can either Bayne or Dillon close the gap with a victory?
All of those questions and more will be answered on the track at Chicagoland. Given the emerging and experienced talent along with the tight race that took place back in July, Saturday promises to be another exciting event for NASCAR fans.
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