North Carolina Education Lottery 250 Predictions: Kvapil Goes for Big Bucks

• Kasey Kahne makes an Xfinity comeback after nearly eight years away.

• Carson Kvapil is closing in on his maiden victory in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

• It’s about time for Sam Mayer to put a Haas Factory Team Ford in Victory Lane.

North Carolina Education Lottery 250 Betting Odds

Odds taken from bet365 Sportsbook. Use our promo code WSN365 and claim $150 in bonus bets with a $5 wager, regardless of the bet outcome.

Our Picks for the North Carolina Education Lottery 250

• Sam Mayer to win the race at +550 via bet365

• Carson Kvapil to finish in the top three at +350 via bet365

North Carolina Education Lottery 250 Predictions

Kasey Kahne Returns to Xfinity Series Field in Competitive Car

Kasey Kahne holds a unique distinction entering Saturday’s North Carolina Education Lottery 250 at Rockingham Speedway.

The 45-year-old from Enumclaw, Washington, is the only driver who has ever competed in a NASCAR Xfinity Series race at “The Rock.”

There’s a good reason for that. The Xfinity Series—now primarily a developmental series for younger drivers—hasn’t raced at the 0.94-mile speedway since 2004.

Kahne won’t have an unfair advantage, given that Rockingham was repaved in late 2022, thereby ameliorating the negative effects of degraded asphalt on tires.

Nevertheless, the 18-time NASCAR Cup Series winner is driving a competitive No. 33 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet in his first race in the series since 2017.

We expect Kahne to do well at Rockingham. To win in his first race back, however, is a bit too much to ask. That’s why we can’t back him at +850 via bet365 Sportsbook.

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Carson Kvapil Is Hitting His Stride as a NASCAR Xfinity Series Regular

You simply had to watch Carson Kvapil last Saturday at Bristol Motor Speedway to realize he’s coming into his own as a bona fide Xfinity Series driver.

The 21-year-old from Mooresville, North Carolina, passed series leader and JR Motorsports teammate Justin Allgaier three laps from the finish of the SciAps 300 to come home second to race winner Kyle Larson.

When Kvapil tested at Rockingham in January, he did nothing to dispel the idea that he might be a contender for a strong result and the $100,000 Dash 4 Cash bonus that goes to the highest finisher among four eligible drivers—Kvapil, Allgaier, Sammy Smith and Brandon Jones.

“Rockingham is tough, but I’m looking forward to the opportunity to get out there and run laps this weekend,” said Kvapil, son of former NASCAR Truck Series champion Travis Kvapil. “We had speed at the test, so I know this No. 1 team is going to unload a fast Chevrolet on Friday.

“We have had really great momentum these past two weeks, so hopefully at the end we can not only contend for the win, but also the $100,000.”

Though we’re not quite ready to pick Kvapil as the race winner at +1200, we do like him to finish in the top three at +350 via bet365.

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After Strong Start, Sam Mayer Is Due for Trip to Victory Lane at “The Rock”

Though Sam Mayer currently is a distant second to series leader Justin Allgaier in the standings (83 points behind), he has enjoyed an admirable start to the season in his first year with the Haas Factory Team.

Mayer has posted five top-five finishes in nine starts this year, including runner-up results at Daytona and Homestead-Miami.

Mayer’s average finish this season is 9.4, second only to Allgaier’s 7.2 among full-time series regulars.

The 21-year-old from Franklin, Wisconsin, won three times last year with JR Motorsports, before moving to the No. 41 Haas Factory Team Ford this season.

We think Mayer is due for a win, and we think the repaved track at Rockingham will suit him. Hence, he’s our pick to win on Saturday at +550 via bet365.

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How to Watch the North Carolina Education Lottery 250

• Race: North Carolina Education Lottery 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series race

• Location: Rockingham Speedway

• Time: Saturday, April 19, 4 p.m. ET

• How to Watch: The CW