For years, especially since the debut of the Gen 7 car in 2022, there’s been a contingent of NASCAR fans and some drivers who suggest the Xfinity Series produces better racing than its big brother in the Cup Series. The foundation of this argument is based on the on-track action, and more specifically, the ability to pass.
Xfinity Series driver Austin Hill recently made this claim before Darlington, a week after the madness at Martinsville.
“I stand strongly on the side of, for whatever reason, when the Xfinity Series goes to Martinsville, we just lose our minds,” Hill said to reporters. “But everywhere else we are the best racing in NASCAR. I strongly stand behind that that we are the best series in NASCAR.”
On Wednesday, Jamie McMurray, who is an analyst for Fox and The CW, appeared on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio and talked about the weekend’s races at Bristol and addressed the debate.
“This car, the Gen 7 car, has struggled a little more on the short tracks, but honestly when I watched the Xfinity race, I know that everyone wants to say, ‘Well, those cars are way better.’ I don’t agree with that,” McMurray said. “And I say that because I feel like if the Cup teams, with their resources, had Xfinity cars, I don’t think it would be significantly different.
During an appearance on @SiriusXMNASCAR, @jamiemcmurray said he believes @NASCAR_Xfinity racing isn’t better than the @NASCAR Cup Series as some fans claim and provides a reason why. pic.twitter.com/WkDVd4bmuM
— Kyle Dalton (@kdsportswriter) April 18, 2025
“You know part of what makes Xfinity different is that there’s a little more discrepancy in funding and teams from the top 10 or 12 to the next 12 or 15 to the back 12 or 15. And so when someone goes to the back – if (Justin) Allgaier spins on pit road or speeds on pit road and goes to the back, yeah, he is gonna be able to drive up through there because there’s more discrepancy in the cars.
“Where when you get to the Cup Series, I mean, that series just keeps getting harder. You even go to like the 25th, the 35th place guys, they’re still pretty fast. They’re close. They’re pretty close to the front. So of course it’s gonna be hard to pass because everyone’s a similar speed.”
While the Cup Series is off this week, the Xfinity Series returns to Rockingham. Race coverage on The CW begins at 4 p.m. ET.
Related: Vicious Hit During Bristol Xfinity Series Race Destroys Cars, Including Ripping Off Wheel
Read the full article here