NNS - VisitMyrtleBeach.com 300 Preview

The Nationwide Series rolls into Kentucky this weekend as a one-off from the Sprint Cup and Camping World Truck Series in New Hampshire. The entry list doesn't contain any Cup Series regulars. This gives the championship leaders a better opportunity to gain maximum points and the rest of the Nationwide regulars a chance to shine.

Chase Elliot and Regan Smith both had solid top ten runs last weekend at Chicagoland keeping the championship race close at 18 points. Elliot Sadler and Ty Dillon were able to gain slightly on Chase Elliot with 6th and 7th place finishes last weekend. It will be interesting to see if anyone can tighten the gap on Chase this weekend.

Ryan Blaney won his first Nationwide Series race in Kentucky last September but will not be racing this weekend. When we visited earlier this year, Kevin Harvick went to victory lane. That race was dominated by he, Kyle Busch, and Brad Keselowski. Ty Dillon and Brian Scott posted the best finishes of the current championship contenders at 7th and 8th. Elliot Sadler finished 10th, Chase Elliot 12th, and Regan Smith finished 28th.

Sam Hornish Jr. will pilot the number 54 Monster Energy Toyota this weekend. Sam last scored a dismal 30th place finish at Mid-Ohio but has driven his way to victory lane earlier this year at the Iowa Speedway. Michael McDowell may be another driver to watch in the number 22 Discount Tires Ford driving for Roger Penske.

We are guaranteed to see a first time Kentucky winner on Saturday night as no previous winners are in the field. Tune in to ESPNNEWS or your local PRN affilliate at 7:30 PM EST on Saturday to find out who. Below is the top five in points headed into the VisitMyrtleBeach.com 300:

Driver	Behind
Chase Elliot	-
Regan Smith	-18
Ty Dillon	-40
Elliot Sadler	-51
Brian Scott	-56