Gaughan Tries to Cement Spot in the XFINITY Series Playoffs

Photo – Sean Gardner/Getty Images

Only one race separates Brendan Gaughan from the NASCAR XFINITY Series Playoffs.

Currently holding the 12th – and final – berth to the postseason, Gaughan sits 25 points above Dakoda Armstrong on the cutoff line.

But Gaughan knows his position can change in an instant with a poor performance or a new winner below him in the points.

The No. 62 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet driver will attempt to transfer to the playoffs in Saturday’s TheHouse.com 300 at Chicagoland Speedway (3:30 pm ET on NBCSN).

If there is a repeat or non-full-time XFINITY Series winner, Gaughan could clinch his spot in the playoffs with 31 points, no matter how the drivers below him finish.

In eight starts at Chicagoland, Gaughan has one top-five finish, three top-ten performances, and a 12.9 average finish. He has finished tenth or better in his last three Windy City races.

“Chicagoland is a unique track with the increasing radius corner for both sides and a back straightaway that’s not exactly straight,” Gaughan said. “It’s also a big market for us this weekend, so we’ve got to perform well. Plus, it’s also an intense weekend for us with it being the cutoff race, so it’s a high-pressure race for everyone. The No. 62 South Point team is in the Playoffs as of now, but we need to perform well at Chicago to seal the deal and make the cut.”