Food City 300 Predictions: Playoff Spots Are on the Line at Bristol

• AJ Allmendinger is a sleeper pick at very favorable odds this week.

• Despite rare appearances, Dale Earnhardt Jr. hasn’t forgotten how to drive.

• Justin Allgaier can lock up regular-season title with strong finish at Bristol.

Food City 300 Betting Odds

The following odds are taken from bet365 Sportsbook. Use our promo code WSN365 at bet365 to claim your bonus of choice: Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose.

Our Picks for the Food City 300

• Justin Allgaier to win the race at +300 via bet365

• AJ Allmendinger to finish in the top three at +400 via bet365

• Dale Earnhardt Jr. as a long-shot pick to win at +900 via bet365

• Ryan Sieg to finish in the top five at +700 via bet365

Food City 300 Predictions

AJ Allmendinger Is an Excellent Sleeper Pick at Favorable Odds

AJ Allmendinger can drive without inhibition in Friday night’s Food City 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway.

In his final season as a full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series driver—before returning to the NASCAR Cup Series next year—Allmendinger already has qualified for the Xfinity Playoffs.

The Dinger has finished in the top 10 in each of his three Xfinity starts at Thunder Valley. In 2021 he won the race from the 10th starting position.

One of only three drivers in Friday’s field to have won at Bristol—along with Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Justin Allgaier—Allmendinger is a good bet to finish in the top three at +400 via bet365.

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Dale Earnhardt Jr. Should Be Strong in Rare Appearance on the Track

Team owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. will make his first NASCAR national series start of the season as a driver in Friday’s Food City 300, but the NASCAR Hall of Famer can scarcely be called a dilettante.

In one of two appearances last season, Earnhardt led 47 laps at Thunder Valley and appeared poised to win the race before ignition issues forced him to retire 29 laps short of the finish.

As noted above, Earnhardt is one of only three former Bristol winners in Friday’s race. In 13 Xfinity starts at the 0.533-mile high-banked concrete short track, Earnhardt has seven top fives and two poles to his credit.

He’s guaranteed to have excellent equipment, and at +900 via bet365, we think he’s a decent long-shot pick for the win.

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There’s a Lot on the Line for Justin Allgaier in Return to Thunder Valley

Defending race winner Justin Allgaier can sew up the NASCAR Xfinity Series regular-season championship with a strong showing in Friday’s Food City 300.

The regular-season title is worth 15 Playoff points to the winner, and Allgaier needs just 18 championship points to clinch, but the driver of the No. 7 JR Motorsports Chevrolet wants more.

A third victory of the season in the final regular-season race would add another five Playoff points to Allgaier’s total. That could help ease the path to the Championship 4 for a driver who has qualified for the season finale in four of the last five years.

Experience counts, and in 23 Bristol starts, Allgaier has posted two wins, 11 top fives and 15 top 10s. It’s no surprise he’s the favorite at +300 via bet365. It’s no surprise he’s our pick to win.

But for those who favor extreme long shots, we can point to Ryan Sieg at +5000. This race will set the field for the Playoffs, and the only realistic way Sieg can make the fortunate 12 is by winning the race.

Sieg finished 10th in 2022 and sixth in this race last year. He’s posted at +700 to finish in the top five, and he’s desperate. Hence, we’re willing to take a shot.

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How to Watch the Food City 300

• Race: Food City 300 NASCAR Xfinity Series race

• Location: Bristol Motor Speedway

• Time: Friday, September 20, 7:30 p.m. ET

• How to Watch: CW