Who could have thought that Texas Motor Speedway might be the shining light to pull NASCAR out of the dark tunnel it has found itself in? After the Cup Series has failed to entertain the majority of the fanbase over the past 4 race weekends, heading out to Texas might be exactly what is needed. The Gen7 car has been better at Texas recently. Meanwhile, the Xfinity and Truck Series usually put on solid races in the Lone Star state. The intermediate track will be the last one to host all three series until Charlotte during Memorial Day weekend. Hopefully, every series can leave a positive lasting mark on the fanbase. Meanwhile, maybe one of the Critical Path Security 6 Drivers to Watch can leave Texas with a win.
In recent years, Texas has started to become a bit of a wild card track. Last year, it was the spot of Chase Elliott’s lone win along with Sam Mayer’s photo finish against Ryan Sieg. Meanwhile, Carson Hocevar picked up his first career Truck Series win in 2023. While Texas Motor Speedway still have an overtly negative reputation attached to it, there is an argument that the speedway is underrated. Yes, the previous generation of Cup car failed to do anything enthralling in their races. However, the Gen7 has managed to pull some decent ones out while the lower series usually deliver. This weekend should be no different. After the turmoil over Talladega, a solid race should be the perfect antidote to help quell the fans.
Wurth 400
Bubba Wallace
Heading into Texas, Bubba Wallace is on pace for his career best season. Although the early average finish (16.9) rests a tick higher than his previous two years, Wallace currently sits 7th in points while projecting career highs in Top-5s and 10s. Where Wallace is truly thriving this year is stage points. Through 10 races, the 23XI driver has accumulated the second most stage points (94) in the Cup Series. Clearly, the new crew chief pairing with Charles Denike is working wonders. Now, Wallace heads to one of his best tracks of the Gen7 era.
Outside of an 8th place finish in his track debut, Texas was not too kind to Wallace through his first 8 starts. Through those starts, Wallace averaged a 23.6 finished with only 2 Top-20s. However, his success drastically changed in 2023. After qualifying on pole, Wallace led a race-high 111 laps enroute to a heartbreaking loss. Still, he managed to finish third that race. Last year, Wallace again drove well. Scoring points in both stages, the 23 car seldomly was found running outside the Top-10. There is no reason to think that this trend will end this coming weekend. Wallace has shown improved speed at almost every track thus far in 2025. Since Texas has been friendly to him recently, it would not be shocking to see Wallace find victory lane on Sunday.
Ty Dillon
Although it may seem odd to have Ty Dillon as one of the Drivers to Watch this weekend, it may not be as farfetched as it seems. While there is zero expectation for Dillon to win the Wurth 400, a strong run for the younger Dillon brother is definitely in the cards. Not simply because of improved performance from Ty in the 10 car, but a steady track history in his Cup career. Through 12 starts at Texas, Dillon has finished inside the Top-20 half of the time. Currently, he is entering this weekend with a streak of 3 straight Top-20s. This includes his 16th place finish last year in this race while piloting Kaulig’s 16 car. Despite driving for severely underfunded teams during his Texas starts, Dillon found ways to maximize his races.
When considering how well the season has gone for Ty Dillon thus far, then you could consider the 10 car as a wildcard for a potential Top-10. Texas has proven to be a bit of a chaotic race during the Gen7 era. Chaotic enough to get Ty Dillon his first Top-10 of the season? Maybe; Dillon has put together some strong runs where he deserved a better finish this season. Still, 4 Top-20s through 10 races is nothing to sneeze at for Dillon and Kaulig Racing. Arguably, Texas might be Dillon’s best track on the schedule. If so, then he could sneak his way to a great finish this weekend.
Andy’s Frozen Custard 300
Ryan Sieg
A gut punch was delivered to Ryan Sieg last year. The longtime Xfinity Series driver looked to have his first career win ahead of him. After nabbing the lead on the final restart, Sieg seemed poised to hold off Sam Mayer. Instead, Mayer managed to get to Sieg’s outside and barely beat him to the checkered flag. At the time, it was the closest finish in NASCAR history. Also at the time, it looked to be Sieg’s only non-superspeedway chance to grab a win. Granted, Sieg also found pain in Las Vegas after a late caution spoiled his long run as he tracked down AJ Allmendinger. However, that likely does not diminish Texas’ finish.
2025 has continued to be a show of strength for Ryan Sieg. Through 11 races, Sieg sits 11th in points with a Top-5 and 4 Top-10s. Plus, the owner/driver is only 15 laps away from setting a career high in laps led. The 39 team, who is operating closer to Haas Factory Team as part of an alliance, is making their presence felt. Rockingham was the most recent race where Sieg looked to be a potential winner. That bodes well for Sieg’s return to Texas. After barely missing out on a win last year, could Sieg improve upon his 2024 performance with a trip to victory lane?
Dean Thompson
After a rocky start to the 2025 season, Dean Thompson is starting to find his footing in the Xfinity Series. Through the first 4 races, the Xfinity Series rookie found himself 24th in points after two finishes in the 30s. Since Phoenix though, Thompson has not finished worse than 18th along with picking up 2 Top-10s. The improved performance should lend a helpful hand to Thompson’s aspirations at Texas.
Sam Hunt Racing has proven to have equipment worthy of competing against the top teams in the Xfinity Series. While they still remain in the second tier of the series, that does not mean the 26 car cannot pop into the front of the field. Thompson’s growth as a driver will certainly factor heavily into those quality runs though. Recent results have indicated that maybe Thompson can take that leap. At Rockingham, Thompson picked up his first career stage win. If he can continue to develop, then SHR might be a team to be reckoned with as the season drags on. As an intermediate track, Texas should be a good measurement to see where both driver and team lay.
SpeedyCash.com 250
Matt Crafton
It has been a rough couple of years for Matt Crafton. Essentially, his Truck Series performance tanked after he attempted to fight Nick Sanchez at Talladega in 2023. Since the start of last year, Crafton is averaging a 17.9 average finish with only 8 Top-10s to show for his efforts. Crafton is still driving for ThorSport, who has won 3 of the past 4 championships. However, the veteran driver is struggling to find success. Crafton has not won a race since 2020. At the moment, that does not look to be changing anytime soon.
Despite the negativity, there is always a chance that Crafton can turn it around. It could be this weekend at Texas, where Crafton has claimed 2 wins in his career. Granted, those wins occurred prior to the 2016 season. Still, Texas has been a strong track for Crafton. His average finish is 9.1 and has only finished worse than 15th once since 2012. For a more recent reason to have hope, Crafton picked up his lone Top-10 of the season at an intermediate track (Las Vegas). Throw in a solid run at Homestead as well and there is a foundation for some hope for Matt Crafton. That foundation might be shaky, but it is there.
Nick Sanchez
Although Spire Motorsports is bringing a Cup Series driver to compete at Texas, this week will focus on his Xfinity Series counterpart joining him: Nick Sanchez. Sanchez currently is experiencing moderate success in his rookie Xfinity season. Through 11 races, the driver of the 48 car has picked up 4 Top-10s along with a Top-5. Although his recent stretch has been bumpy, the overall 2025 picture has been a positive one thus. Now, Sanchez will look to use the Truck Series as a way to help boost some momentum for his main series. Plus, it will be at one of his best tracks.
Now, the Truck Series at Texas seemingly offers little in terms of translation over to the other series. For the trucks, Texas races essentially as a superspeedway. Drivers very rarely let off the accelerator and use draft to help gain position. However, any seat time can be valuable for a young driver. Sanchez’s two Truck Series starts in the Lone Star state were certainly impressive. He qualified on pole for both races, but 2023 saw him lead every lap of the race until his teammate this weekend wrecked him for the win. There is little reason to think that Sanchez will not be able to replicate his strong history. Perhaps the largest hurdle to a Sanchez win will be Carson Hocevar, said Cup Series driver who wrecked Sanchez in 2023.
Critical Path Security is a cyber security firm protecting clients in the United States and the world beyond. Founded in 2017, they are as dedicated as ever to providing coverage for their clients in numerous industries. Please give them a follow (X, Facebook, LinkedIn) and thank them for returning with their weekly sponsorship of the Critical Path Security 6 Drivers to Watch
