NASCAR Xfinity Series: Kyle Busch to return at Watkins Glen

Kyle Busch is set to make his long-awaited return to the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Watkins Glen International in this Saturday’s Zippo 200 at the Glen.

Even after more than four months of not competing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, many NASCAR fans still don’t want to hear it. But the fact is, Joe Gibbs Racing’s Kyle Busch is set to make his return to the series in this Saturday’s Zippo 200 at the Glen at Watkins Glen International as the driver of the #18 Toyota.

As a driver who is in his 15th season as a full-time Cup Series driver, the 34-year-old Las Vegas, Nevada native is only allowed to compete in seven of the 33 races on the Xfinity Series schedule.

Busch’s start in this Saturday’s race at the eight-turn, 2.454-mile (3.949-kilometer) Watkins Glen International road course in Watkins Glen, New York is set to be the fifth of his seven scheduled starts throughout the season.

More from Xfinity Series

• NASCAR: Two new drivers linked to Joe Gibbs Racing
• NASCAR: Frankie Muniz linked to surprise landing spot
• NASCAR: How a sudden downfall inadvertently created a champion
• NASCAR: Kaulig driver linked to Joe Gibbs Racing for 2024
• NASCAR: Another top prospect leaves Toyota for 2024

He is also set to drive the #18 Toyota in the race at Bristol Motor Speedway later this month and the race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in early September.

Busch competed in the four races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, ISM Raceway, Auto Club Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway earlier this season, and he won three of them, increasing what was already an all-time record Xfinity Series win total from 92 to 95. All four of these races took place in March, with the most recent of which taking place at Texas Motor Speedway on Saturday, March 30.

The only one of these four races which Busch failed to win was the race at Auto Club Speedway. He finished that race in second place behind Stewart-Haas Racing’s Cole Custer.

Busch has made a total of 10 starts at Watkins Glen International in the Xfinity Series. In these 10 starts, he has recorded an average finish of 12.00, which is well below average for him in the Xfinity Series. That said, aside of his three finishes of 24th place or worse, his average finish in seven Xfinity Series races at the track is an impressive 3.14.

He has recorded seven top six finishes, including six top five finishes, four top two finishes and one victory, in his 10 Xfinity Series starts at the track. He earned this lone victory in his most recent start there back in the 2017 season.

The Zippo 200 at the Glen is scheduled to be broadcast live on NBC from Watkins Glen International beginning at 3:00 p.m. ET this Saturday, August 3, so be sure not to miss the 20th race of the 33-race 2019 NASCAR Xfinity Series season.