NASCAR
NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship Odds: Joe Gibbs Racing Adding Taylor Gray To 2025 Stable; Bubba Pollard ‘Thrilled’ With 2nd Chance
Joe Gibbs Racing announced an addition to its NASCAR Xfinity Series driver stable and welcomed another pilot back into the fold.
The Huntersville, N.C.-based franchise signed driver Taylor Gray and re-signed Brandon Jones to full-time deals for next season. Gray will assume command of the No. 54 Toyota that Cup driver Ty Gibbs will own.
As a Truck Series rookie, Gray, 19, qualified for the Round of 8 after collecting seven top-five finishes and 11 top-10s. He earned a P3 during his Xfinity debut at Richmond Raceway in March.
“I am very thankful for this opportunity,” Gray said via press release. “I feel like I have learned a lot in the races I have ran this year and we can build on that next season.”
Jones drove for JGR from 2018-22 and has spent the last two seasons with JR Motorsports.
While circuit betting favorite Chandler Smith has yet to agree to extend a deal with JGR, the organization has openings for two additional drivers. With the circuit scheduled to compete in Saturday’s Ambetter Health 302 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Smith held odds of +175 to claim the Xfinity title.
Taylor's time in '25.@TaylorGray17_ will join @JoeGibbsRacing full-time in the #XfinitySeries No. 54 next season. pic.twitter.com/oGyVtyMo8M
— Xfinity Racing (@XfinityRacing) October 16, 2024
Late Model Champion Bubba Pollard Gets 2nd Xfinity Series Ride
Bubba Pollard is getting a second chance to compete at the Xfinity Series level.
The 37-year-old veteran driver made his circuit debut earlier this season, finishing P6 at Richmond Raceway in March. Pollard is slated to pilot the No. 26 Toyota for Sam Hunt Racing at Martinsville Speedway on Nov. 2.
“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity,” Pollard said, as reported by NASCAR.com. “I really enjoyed the experience racing at Richmond earlier this season. I’m excited to be back in an Xfinity car and can’t wait to hit the track again.”
A veteran of late model racing, Pollard, a short-track ace, has compiled 15 series titles.
“There’s nothing more fulfilling than going to the track with true racers, and Bubba is exactly that,” said Sam Hunt, owner of the Mooresville, N.C.-based organization. “He’s not only a true racer, but a great person who respects and appreciates the effort and sacrifice that goes into each race.”
𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦: Bubba Pollard to Tackle @XfinityRacing Martinsville Race with Sam Hunt Racing. 📝@Team_SHR26 X @bubbapollard26
𝗗𝗘𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗦 ➡️: https://t.co/sX8RFsom3a pic.twitter.com/xSxr59aV9A
— Racing America (@RacingAmerica) October 15, 2024
NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship Odds
With the NASCAR Xfinity Series scheduled to race Saturday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, here is a look at the circuit’s championship odds, according to BetOnline Sportsbook:
Driver | NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship Odds |
---|---|
Chandler Smith | +175 |
Cole Custer | +250 |
Justin Allgaier | +475 |
Austin Hill | +575 |
Jesse Love | +1000 |
Sam Mayer | +1400 |
AJ Allmendinger | +2200 |
Sammy Smith | +3300 |
*-Odds current at time of publication