It’s getting kind of obvious that Mother Nature wants a longer off-season, as proved by the cancellation of NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series practice and qualifying from Auto Club Speedway.
Despite the cancelation of four on-track sessions Saturday, NASCAR is still hopeful that the NASCAR Xfinity Series Production Alliance Group 300 will be run according to the previously determined schedule.
The starting lineup for the 300-mile event, whenever it should begin, will be set by NASCAR’s Performance Metric system, which places Daytona winner Austin Hill at the front of the pack for the event.
John Hunter Nemechek is set to start alongside Hill on the front row for the event, with Justin Allgaier, Parker Retzlaff, and Chandler Smith rounding out the top five.
Riley Herbst is scheduled to roll off from sixth place, with Jeb Burton, Cole Custer, Josh Williams, and Brandon Jones starting seventh through 10th.
With 40 teams entered for the Production Alliance Group 300 at Auto Club Speedway, two drivers – #99 Garrett Smithley and #74 Ryan Vargas – will be sent packing prior to the start of the second event of the season.
Both drivers also failed to qualify for the season-opening event at Daytona International Speedway.
Qualifying Results: 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series Production Alliance Group 300 at Auto Club
