NASCAR Nationwide Series STP 300 at Chicagoland Speedway on July 22, 2012
Photo – Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

It will be their time to shine. The Nationwide Series has a rare stand alone weekend at the Chicagoland Speedway this weekend, allowing some of the series’ best to take the spotlight. A few Sprint Cup drivers will also be in the field, but for the most part, it will be the Nationwide Series’ best going for the victory. After three wild green-white-checker finishes at New Hampshire, some drivers need to make up lost ground and this weekend’s race is a perfect opportunity.

The STP 300 is going green on Sunday, July 21, 2013 at 3:16 PM EST (2:16 PM CT). The race is for 200 laps and 300 miles on Saturday and as of late in the Nationwide Series, it’s the last few laps that usually determine the outcome so no one wants to be absent at the conclusion. Sunday’s weather looks gorgeous with partly cloudy conditions, a high of 80 F, and only a 10% chance of rain. You can watch the race on ESPN or listen to it on MRN.

When the Nationwide Series was in Chicago last July, a wild green-white-checker finish allowed Elliot Sadler to hold off the dominant car of the day in Ricky Stenhouse Jr. It was a tough weekend for Sadler considering he had been battling the flu for a few days prior to the race, so this win was the perfect cure. Sam Hornish Jr. got into some trouble toward the finish of the race when he hit Kyle Busch, wrecking him into the wall and eliminating Busch’s hopes of a victory. Busch and Stenhouse Jr. won’t be competing this weekend, but Sadler will look to reign glorious in victory circle once again.

When the Nationwide Series shares a race weekend with the Sprint Cup guys, the Cup drivers enter the Nationwide race and usually dominate. This weekend is different. Joey Logano is the only main Cup driver entered, so the Nationwide regulars will only have him to fend off come Sunday. Other notable entries include Dakoda Armstrong in an RCR No.21 car, Matt Crafton in the No.33 RCR machine, and Joey Coulter in the No.54 JGR entry.

Sam Hornish Jr. was able to gain little last weekend at New Hampshire as Regan Smith still maintains the points lead. While Hornish Jr. continues to improve, Smith may need to step up his game to hold off Hornish’s attack. Other drivers who are within a shot at the points lead include Austin Dillon, Justin Allgaier, and Elliot Sadler. They need to continue their strong performances to take down the two kings atop the standings at this point in the season.

Race fans will get their racing fix for the weekend with this race on Sunday, so with only one event, it’s destined to be a good one. The young Nationwide stars will look to stand out as they know the light is shining in their court throughout the weekend. Chicagoland races usually come down to a dash to the finish or a fuel mileage game,  so all eyes are on what will play out come the finish of this event.

Event Schedule

11:30 AM-2:00 PM CT (12:30-3:00 PM EST) (Saturday) Nationwide Series Practice, not televised

2:30-4:00 PM CT (3:30-5:00 PM EST) (Saturday) Nationwide Series Final Practice, not televised

10:05 AM CT (11:05 AM EST) (Sunday) Nationwide Series Qualifying, televised on ESPN2

2:00 PM CT (3:00 PM EST) (Sunday) Nationwide Series’ Race, the STP 300, televised on ESPN

Next Race- Nationwide Series 250 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Entry List via Jayski.com