On any given weekend during the season, there are up to three NASCAR races for fans to watch, each providing numerous betting opportunities. However, for many spectators, NASCAR is solely the Cup Series, with the Xfinity and Truck Series not on their viewing or betting radar.
While the differences between the Truck Series and the Cup and Xfinity Series’ are obvious, the same cannot be said for the Xfinity and Cup Series, especially with similar car looks on the surface and the frequency Cup Series drivers enter Xfinity Series races.
Insiders Betting Digest explains the significant differences in NASCAR’s two similar categories in our Xfinity Series vs Cup Series breakdown, starting with technical details.
No. 1 – Different Car Sizes
There are three manufacturers in NASCAR: Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota. The first difference each manufacturer has to take into account is the different sizes prescribed by the NASCAR technical rules.
Each manufacturer produces two separate vehicles for each series: Chevrolet has the Camaro for the Xfinity Series and the Camaro ZL1 for the Cup Series, Ford produces two different mustangs, and Toyota has the Camry for the Cup Series and the Supra for the Xfinity Series.
While it might not seem like much, the Cup series cars have a five-inch longer wheelbase than the Xfinity Series cars (105” compared to 100”), which makes a major difference to every other aspect of the car, from the crash structures and aerodynamic packages to the sizes of engines used.
As such, the cars in the series are of different weights. When comparing the weight of the Xfinity Series vs Cup Series cars, the Cup Series cars weigh more at a minimum of 3,500 pounds, compared to the Xfinity Series minimum of 3,200 pounds.
No. 2 – Wheel Sizes
Along with wheelbase and weight differences, the wheel sizes are different between the Xfinity Series and Cup Series.
- The Xfinity Series cars use a 15” wheel, while the Cup Series use 18” wheels.
No. 3 – Chassis
The Cup Series utilizes the most modern chassis technology created by Dallara to make NASCAR safer. Among the biggest differences between the Xfinity and Cup Series cars is something you cannot see: the Next Gen Chassis that the Cup Series introduced in 2022.
No. 4 – Different Engine Power and Exhaust Locations
The horsepower is available to the Xfinity Series vs Cup Series cars is relatively similar, with the Cup Series having 750 HP compared to the Xfinity Series’ 700 HP.
The NASCAR Series use naturally aspirated engines, but the Xfinity Series cars still use a carburetor, with the exhaust pipe running down the right, while the NASCAR cars haven’t used carburetors since they were removed for fuel injection in 2012 while having duel exhausts on either side of the car.
No. 5 – Race and Schedule Differences
Insidersbettingdigest’s NASCAR coverage features information like the current Cup Series odds and race information. You’ll instantly notice a difference in race length between the Xfinity and Cup Series every weekend.
While not the longest races in motorsports, the bigger Cup Series cars and longer require more endurance than the Xfinity Series. So too, does competing in the Cup Series in general, as the Cup Series currently runs more races than the Xfinity Series.
While the Xfinity Series is the second-tier or junior category in NASCAR and is often a support race on Saturday for the Cup Series race on Sunday. However, there are race weekends where the two series aren’t racing on the same circuit, like when the Xfinity Series races at Portland.
NASCAR Xfinity Series vs. Cup Series Differences
When conducting an Xfinity Series vs Cup Series comparison, the Cup Series is always the top tier of NASCAR, but don’t let its second-tier status discourage you from making NASCAR Xfinity Series picks a regular part of your betting tickets.
The Xfinity Series is the feeder system to the Cup series, where Cup Series regulars come to race and get lap experience, with excellent betting opportunities found every weekend.
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