This weekend, the NASCAR circus rolls into Loudon, New Hampshire, for a crucial double-header at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway. With both the Xfinity and Cup Series seasons entering their critical phases, the races at the “Magic Mile” could prove pivotal in shaping the Playoff picture.

SciApps 200 (Xfinity Series)
When: Saturday June 22, 3:30 PM EST (USA,PRN, SIRIUS XM NASCAR Radio)
Where: New Hampshire Motor Speedway; Loudon, New Hampshire
Last Year’s Winner: John Hunter Nemechek

The NASCAR Xfinity Series kicks off the weekend with the SciApps 200 on Saturday, July 15, at 3:30 p.m. ET. With 11 races remaining in the regular season and five Playoff-eligible positions still up for grabs, the pressure is mounting on drivers to secure their spot in the championship hunt.

Justin Allgaier, the 2022 New Hampshire winner, enters as one of only two former winners in the field alongside NASCAR Cup Series regular Christopher Bell. Allgaier boasts an impressive record at the track, with nine top-10 finishes in 12 starts.

The reigning series champion, Cole Custer, leads the points standings but is still searching for his first win of the season. Close behind is Chandler Smith, who finished runner-up last year and sits just one point behind Custer in the championship race.

Adding intrigue to the mix, three-time NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion Justin Bonsignore is set to make his Xfinity Series debut, driving for Joe Gibbs Racing.
My Pick To Win: Chandler Smith

USA Today 301 (Cup Series)
When: Sunday June 23, 2:30 PM EST ( USA, PRN, SIRIUS XM NASCAR Radio)
Where: New Hampshire Motor Speedway; Loudon, New Hampshire
Last Year’s Winner: Martin Truex Jr.

The NASCAR Cup Series takes center stage on Sunday, July 16, with the USA Today 301 at 2:30 p.m. ET. With only nine races left to set the Playoff field, every position on the track could make a difference in the championship chase.

Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champions Joey Logano and Kyle Busch find themselves in the unfamiliar position of being on the outside looking in, currently sitting 17th and 18th in the standings. Both drivers are still seeking their first win of the season, which would guarantee them a Playoff berth.

Martin Truex Jr., who recently announced his retirement at the end of this season, returns as the defending race winner. Truex will be looking to go back-to-back at New Hampshire and secure his first victory of 2024.

The unpredictable nature of the “Magic Mile” adds an extra layer of excitement to the proceedings. Historically, 19% of New Hampshire winners have started outside the top 20, offering hope to drivers throughout the field.

Other former New Hampshire winners to watch include Denny Hamlin, Brad Keselowski, and Christopher Bell. Hamlin, in particular, could be a strong contender, having won all three of his 2024 races on tracks one mile or shorter.
My Pick To Win: Denny Hamlin

As the summer stretch continues, both the Xfinity and Cup Series races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway promise high-stakes action and potential Playoff implications. With so much on the line, fans can expect intense competition and perhaps a few surprises as drivers battle for supremacy on the Magic Mile.