Pennzoil 250 Predictions: NASCAR Xfinity Series Returns to the Brickyard

• Aric Almirola is back in action after alleged spat in competition meeting.

• Cole Custer goes for second straight win after breakthrough at Pocono.

• Can Justin Allgaier and his team execute a clean race after repeated mishaps?

Pennzoil 250 Betting Odds

Odds taken from BetMGM Sportsbook. Head over to BetMGM to place your bets and get up to $1,500 in bonus bets paid back!*
*Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l terms.

Our Picks for the Pennzoil 250

• Justin Allgaier to win the race at (+650) via BetMGM

• Riley Herbst to finish in the top five at (+240) via BetMGM

Pennzoil 250 Predictions

Aric Almirola Returns to Action after Alleged Dust-Up with Bubba Wallace

You might have wondered why you haven’t seen Aric Almirola in a Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota recently. After all, Almirola drove the No. 20 JGR Supra to victory at Martinsville in April.

According to multiple sources and published reports, Almirola was suspended in May from his part-time role for several races after an argument with 23XI Racing’s Bubba Wallace during a competition meeting turned heated and physical.

Almirola will return this Saturday for the Pennzoil 250 in the NASCAR Xfinity Series’ first event in 2019 on the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval. 

There’s no doubt Almirola will have a strong car at Indy. The question is how much rust he’ll have to shake off after a two-month absence from competition. 

Aric Almirola is a tempting proposition at (+1100) via BetMGM, but we’re worried about the length of the layoff. Accordingly, we’ll look elsewhere for the winner.

Bet on Aric Almirola (+1100) at BetMGM

Cole Custer Goes for Second Straight Win after Triumph at Tricky Triangle

Not to blow our own horn, but we gave you Cole Custer as the winner of last Saturday’s event at Pocono Raceway.

It’s reasonable to extrapolate that a strong performance at the Tricky Triangle is predictive of a good run on the 2.5-mile oval at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Both tracks feature long straightaways that require plenty of horsepower. In addition, the Tunnel Turn at Pocono is modeled after the four corners at Indianapolis.

We expect a strong performance at Indy from Cole Custer (+700) at BetMGM, who has posted two top 10s in three Xfinity starts there. We just don’t think he’ll win the race. 

But we do like Custer’s Stewart-Haas Racing teammate, Riley Herbst, to finish in the top five on Saturday at (+240) via BetMGM. Herbst and Custer are driving equal equipment.

Bet on Cole Custer (+700) at BetMGM

It’s Time for Justin Allgaier (and His Team) to Run a Problem-Free Race

Justin Allgaier’s No. 7 JR Motorsports Chevrolet has been fast nearly every weekend. His Xfinity-Series-best 11 stage wins are the proof of that statement. 

However, Allgaier hasn’t been able to translate his speed into consistent trips to Victory Lane. In fact, he has but a single win on his scorecard this year, at Darlington.

Allgaier’s downfall has been a combination of bad luck and less than stellar execution. A perfect example was last week’s race at Pocono, where a penalty for an uncontrolled tire sent Allgaier to the back of the field.

Allgaier rallied to finish second but couldn’t catch Cole Custer for the win. To triumph on Saturday, he’ll have to eliminate the critical mistakes. 

Allgaier will have speed again at Indy. He’s the only driver in the field who has won on the big track before. We think Justin Allgaier do it again at (+650) via BetMGM.

Bet on Justin Allgaier (+650) at BetMGM

How to Watch the Explore the Pennzoil 250

• What: Pennzoil 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series race

• Where: Indianapolis Motor Speedway

• When: Saturday, July 20, 3:30 p.m. ET

• How to Watch: USA