NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Preview: Kansas Lottery 300

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Venue: Kansas Speedway, Kansas City, KS
Green Flag is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET (6:00 PM CDT; green flag shortly after; stages 45/90/200 laps / 300 miles)
Broadcast: The CW (TV), MRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio This is Race 10 of the 33-race 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season and the Xfinity companion to Sunday’s AdventHealth 400. Kansas Speedway is one of the most competitive 1.5-mile intermediates, rewarding handling, tire management, and multi-groove racing in a wide, progressive-banked layout that often produces intense side-by-side battles and late-race drama.

Track Specifications

Length: 1.500 miles (tri-oval)

Type: Asphalt intermediate speedway

Turns: 4 turns with progressive (variable) banking – 17° in the lower lane to 20° in the upper lane

Frontstretch: ~2,721 feet with 9-11° banking

Backstretch: ~2,207 feet with 5° banking

Width: 55 feet (wide racing surface that allows multiple grooves and side-by-side action)

Other notes: Smooth, high-speed configuration that emphasizes setup, power, and strategy. Caution speed is 45 mph. The track has produced high lead changes and exciting pack racing throughout its history.

Weather Conditions

Mostly sunny to partly cloudy with ideal dry racing conditions and no precipitation threat.

Race window (7:00–10:00 PM ET / 6:00–9:00 PM CDT): Temperatures in the mid-to-upper 50s°F (high around 58–59°F dropping into the low 40s by night), winds NW 6–15 mph (lightening later), 1% chance of rain.

Cooler evening air should provide solid grip with minimal tire wear variability—perfect for a full green-flag run or strategic cautions.

Current Standings & Recent Driver Forms

After 9 races (through Bristol):

Justin Allgaier (#7, JR Motorsports) – 470 points (1st), 3 wins – the veteran points leader and consistent threat.

Sheldon Creed (#00, Haas Factory Team) – 340 points (2nd), 1 win – strong all-around performer.

Jesse Love (#2) – 324 points (3rd), 0 wins but multiple top-5s.

Corey Day – 304 points (4th)

Carson Kvapil (#1, JR Motorsports) – 300 points (5th)

Austin Hill (#21) – 293 points (6th), 1 win

Sammy Smith (#8) – 284 points (7th)

Brandon Jones (#20, Joe Gibbs Racing) – 275 points (8th) – Kansas specialist with multiple prior wins here.

Recent Form Highlights (last 3–5 races): Allgaier has been the model of consistency. Creed and Kvapil have shown speed on intermediates. Brandon Jones owns recent Kansas history (including a dominant 2025 playoff win). Cup-affiliated drivers like William Byron (if in the #88) and others often elevate the field. The 37-car field is deep with 2026 rookies and veterans mixing it up.

Key Driver Matchups & Contenders

Brandon Jones (#20) vs. the field at his “home” track: Jones is the Kansas Lottery 300 kingpin with multiple victories here and a proven ability to dominate intermediates in JGR equipment.

William Byron (likely #88 entry) vs. Justin Allgaier: Byron enters as a heavy favorite (+125 range) with Cup-level speed; Allgaier counters as the points leader and JR Motorsports anchor with elite experience.

Sheldon Creed / Carson Kvapil vs. Jesse Love: Creed and Kvapil bring raw pace and recent momentum; Love looks to snap a winless streak on a track that rewards clean air and strategy.

Sleepers/Underdogs: Cole Custer (#0), Austin Hill, Sammy Smith, Corey Day, and William Sawalich (#18) – all capable of top-5 runs or stage points. Dark horses include Harrison Burton or Rajah Caruth for surprise performances.

Race History

Kansas Speedway has been a staple for Xfinity since the early 2000s, producing winners like Brandon Jones (multiple times, including recent playoff dominance), Justin Allgaier, and various JGR/Chevrolet standouts. Recent spring/fall editions have featured high lead changes, multi-groove battles, and late-race passes for the win. The track’s wide surface and progressive banking create passing opportunities that reward drivers who can run high or low effectively. Jones’ recent mastery here makes him a historical benchmark.

Betting Trends

Favorites have performed well on this intermediate, but upsets are common due to the wide racing groove.

Stage betting is popular—Allgaier and Creed excel in early segments.

Brandon Jones has historically swept stages or led the most laps at Kansas.

Top-5/Top-10 props strong for JR Motorsports and JGR cars; value on veterans like Allgaier for placement.

High likelihood of lead changes (track record favors 20+ in many 300-milers).

Driver                                                   Odds

William Byron                                   + 300

Justin Allgaier                                   + 300

Brent Crews                                       + 750

Brandon Jones                                  + 750

Sheldon Creed                                  + 900

William Sawalich                             + 1100

Corey Day                                            + 1100

Carson Kvapil                                    + 1100

Taylor Gray                                         + 1400

Sam Mayer                                         + 1400

Austin Hill                                           + 1400

Sammy Smith                                    + 1700

Jesse Love                                           + 1800

Cole Custer                                         + 5000

Ryan Sieg                                            + 6000

Rajah Caruth                                      + 6500

Parker Retzlaff                                  + 9000

Harrison Burton                                + 10000

Jeb Burton                                          + 25000

Jeremy Clements                             + 30000

Dean Thompson                               + 40000

Patrick Staropoli                              + 60000

Anthony Alfredo                              + 60000

Brennan Poole                                  + 70000

Austin Green                                     + 70000

Ryan Ellis                                             + 100000

Nick Leitz                                            + 100000

Mason Maggio                                  + 100000

Luke Baldwin                                     + 100000

Lavar Scott                                          + 100000

Kyle Sieg                                              + 100000

Josh Williams                                    + 100000

Josh Bilicki                                          + 100000

Joey Gase                                            + 100000

Dawson Cram                                    + 100000

Blake Lothian                                     + 100000

Blaine Perkins                                   + 100000

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, April 17, 2026