NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Preview: Charbroil 300

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Start Time: 1:00 PM ET

Race Length: 300 miles (200 laps)

Broadcast: FS1 / PRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Venue & Track Profile

Charlotte Motor Speedway

  • Location: Concord, North Carolina
  • Track Type: 1.5‑mile quad‑oval
  • Turns: 4
  • Banking:
    • Turns: 24°
    • Frontstretch:
    • Backstretch:
  • Frontstretch Length: 1,980 ft
  • Backstretch Length: 1,500 ft
  • Surface: Asphalt
  • Race Distance: 300 miles (200 laps)

Track Characteristics

  • High‑speed intermediate track with multiple grooves
  • Tire wear increases as rubber builds up
  • Afternoon start → hot track early, cooler grip late
  • Clean air matters, but long‑run balance wins races here
  • Xfinity cars often produce tight‑loose transitions as temps change


Weather Forecast

  • Temperature: 82°F at start → 76°F by finish
  • Conditions: Mostly sunny
  • Winds: 6–10 mph SW
  • Rain Chance: <5%
  • Impact:
    • Hot track early = slick handling, higher falloff
    • Cooler late = faster lap times, more stable aero balance
    • Expect long green‑flag runs and strategy variation

Key Driver Matchups & Storylines

Cole Custer vs. Justin Allgaier

  • Custer has been the most consistent Xfinity driver on 1.5‑mile tracks in 2026.
  • Allgaier is the veteran who thrives at Charlotte, especially in afternoon races.
  • Custer’s long‑run speed vs. Allgaier’s experience is a marquee matchup.

Sam Mayer vs. Chandler Smith

  • Mayer has improved dramatically on intermediates this season.
  • Smith’s Kaulig equipment is strong at Charlotte, especially on restarts.
  • Both are legitimate Top‑5 threats.

Sheldon Creed vs. Austin Hill

  • Creed is aggressive and excels on high‑grip tracks.
  • Hill is a powerhouse on intermediates with elite straight‑line speed.
  • Expect fireworks if they battle late.

Riley Herbst vs. Sammy Smith

  • Herbst has been a Top‑10 machine in 2026.
  • Sammy Smith is inconsistent but extremely fast when the setup hits.
  • Both are dark‑horse contenders.

Race History

  • First Run: 1982
  • 2023 Winner: Justin Allgaier
  • 2024 Winner: Ty Gibbs (Cup Series driver in Xfinity start)
  • 2025 Winner: Cole Custer

Charlotte Xfinity Trends

  • JR Motorsports has won 3 of the last 5 Charbroil 300s
  • Stewart‑Haas Racing has been dominant on 1.5‑mile tracks
  • The winner typically comes from the Top 8 in starting position
  • Long green‑flag runs are common, making pit execution crucial

Recent Driver Form (Last 5 Races)

Cole Custer

  • Finishes: 3rd, 1st, 2nd, 5th, 4th
  • Best intermediate‑track driver in the series
  • Enters as the favorite

Justin Allgaier

  • Finishes: 6th, 4th, 8th, 3rd, 10th
  • Veteran consistency
  • Historically elite at Charlotte

Sam Mayer

  • Finishes: 2nd, 7th, 5th, 11th, 3rd
  • Trending upward
  • Excellent long‑run speed

Chandler Smith

  • Finishes: 9th, 12th, 6th, 4th, 15th
  • Kaulig cars are strong on intermediates
  • Needs a clean race to contend

Sheldon Creed

  • Finishes: 5th, 3rd, 14th, 7th, 2nd
  • Aggressive style suits Charlotte
  • A legitimate threat to win

Betting Trends

Track Trends

  • Favorites perform well: last 6 winners opened < +900
  • Long‑shot winners are rare
  • Stage winners often fade late due to setup changes
  • Teams with strong pit crews gain massive advantage

Team Trends

  • JR Motorsports: 3 wins in last 5 Charbroil 300s
  • Stewart‑Haas: Best intermediate‑track program in Xfinity
  • Kaulig Racing: Strong restarts, excellent short‑run speed

Driver Trends

  • Custer: Top‑5 in 7 of last 9 intermediates
  • Allgaier: Top‑10 in 8 of last 10 Charlotte starts
  • Mayer: Top‑5 in 3 straight intermediates
  • Creed: Top‑10 in 4 of last 5 races

Driver                                                   Odds

Justin Allgaier                                   + 350

Connor Zilisch                                   + 370

Corey Day                                            + 650

Ross Chastain                                    + 650

Brandon Jones                                  + 950

Brent Crews                                       + 1000

Carson Kvapil                                    + 1200

Sam Mayer                                         + 1200

Sheldon Creed                                  + 1400

Jesse Love                                           + 1600

Taylor Gray                                         + 1800

Austin Hill                                           + 2200

William Sawalich                             + 2500

Cole Custer                                         + 3000

Sammy Smith                                    + 3500

Rajah Caruth                                      + 3500

Parker Retzlaff                                  + 6000

Harrison Burton                                + 6000

Ryan Sieg                                            + 6000

Jeb Burton                                          + 8000

Jeremy Clements                             + 20000

Austin Green                                     + 30000

Anthony Alfredo                              + 35000

Andrew Patterson                           + 35000

Dean Thompson                               + 40000

Patrick Staropoli                              + 50000

Leland Honeyman Jr.                      + 50000

Blaine Perkins                                   + 80000

Lavar Scott                                          + 100000

Kyle Sieg                                              + 100000

Josh Bilicki                                          + 100000

Joey Gase                                            + 100000

JJ Yeley                                                 + 100000

Dawson Cram                                    + 100000

David Starr                                          + 100000

Brennan Poole                                  + 100000

Ryan Ellis                                             + 100000

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, May 22, 2026