Four biggest storylines as NASCAR Xfinity Series returns to action

On Saturday, the NASCAR Xfinity Series will begin its stretch run at the Michigan International Speedway in the series' first race since July 20. With 13 races — including seven playoff races to determine a champion — remaining in the season, these are the biggest storylines to watch.

Will Cole Custer's consistency end in a championship?

Custer is the current Xfinity Series points leader and the defending Xfinity Series champion, but it's wins that really pay in modern-day NASCAR. Custer stepped up to the plate when he had to in 2023, and his first win of the season at Pocono on July 13 seems to have the No. 00 team headed in the right direction. Grabbing a win or two before the regular season ends wouldn't hurt, though, and you can never have enough playoff points.

Will Shane van Gisbergen adapt to his new crew chief?

What's tougher than trying to make a championship run in your rookie season? How about trying to make a championship run with a brand-new crew chief? That's the challenge that awaits Shane van Gisbergen, who saw crew chief Bruce Schlicker leave Kaulig Racing during the Olympic break. Kevin Walter is a solid choice for a replacement, but Schlicker helped van Gisbergen earn his first three Xfinity Series wins and gain experience on ovals. With six regular-season races remaining, it's crucial for van Gisbergen and Walters to build chemistry before the pressure amps up.

Can Jr Motorsports turn things around?

Jr Motorsports is used to winning a slew of races and being a championship threat, and while two of their drivers have punched their tickets to the postseason, two others haven't. Justin Allgaier and Sam Mayer are rightfully considered title threats as the postseason draws near, but Sammy Smith is three points out of the playoffs in 13th, with Brandon Jones and the No. 9 team suffering through a second consecutive poor season. Smith will have to grow up quickly with postseason pressure staring him in the face, while Jones will have to find a way to win one of the next six races to avoid missing the playoffs for the second straight year.

Which driver breaks through for their first Xfinity Series win?

Michigan pole-sitter Sheldon Creed may seem like the obvious answer to the above question, but with Parker Kligerman, Ryan Sieg and Anthony Alfredo all fighting for both their first win and a playoff spot, an emotional victory could be around the corner. Sieg came within inches of a win at Texas in April, while Creed has 10 runner-up finishes in the Xfinity Series to date. With Daytona looming next Friday, don't count out the litany of underdogs in the Xfinity Series field, either: Parker Retzlaff, Josh Williams, Ryan Ellis and Kyle Weatherman all have as good of a shot as the rest of the field to win their first race on the high banks of the Florida track.