A late entry into NASCAR Xfinity Series’ race at Pocono Raceway, Cup Series regular Chase Elliott captured the pole position for Saturday’s Explore the Pocono Mountains 250.
It marked Elliott’s first Xfinity Series pole since 2014, the Week 30 effort at Charlotte. Elliott went on to win the drivers’ championship as a rookie and placed second in 2015 before settling into a full-time Cup career.
Elliott on Saturday turned a hot lap of 166.024 mph, edging runner-up Brandon Jones (165.532 mph) and third-place Nick Sanchez (165.399).
Elliott posted six Xfinity wins from 2014-16.
Your pole winner for today’s Xfinity race. pic.twitter.com/oNr4C8MPv1
— No. 17 Team (@Hendrick17Team) June 21, 2025
Kaz Grala Returning To Sam Hunt Racing
Driver Kaz Grala is going back to the beginning.
Inactive on the national series this season, Grala agreed to return to Sam Hunt Racing’s Xfinity Series team and compete in a series of road course events, starting at Chicago in two weeks. SHR’s original Xfinity Series driver, Grala remains slated to pilot the No. 24 Toyota.
Recognized as a road-course ace, Grala posted three top-10 finishes in 2023, including a P7 at Charlotte ROVAL, P7 at Road America, and P9 at Indianapolis Road Course.
Grala currently serves as LEGACY Motor Club’s simulator testing and reserve driver.
Grala competed in 77 Xfinity Series events from 2018-24, registering seven top-five finishes and 19 top 10s. He finished 17th in the drivers’ standings in ‘23. He captured a Truck Series race from the pole at Daytona in ‘17.
“I can’t wait to finally suit back up,” Grala said via press release.
Guess who’s back… back again ✨@KazGrala makes his return to the NASCAR Xfinity Series and SHR in the No. 24 Overplay GR Supra at Chicago, Watkins Glen, and ROVAL. #LetsHunt | #TeamToyota pic.twitter.com/TZ7Sa8VgyI
— Sam Hunt Racing (@Team_SHR26) June 18, 2025
Starting Lineup for Explore The Pocono Mountains 250
Here is a look at the lineup for Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series’ Explore the Pocono Mountains 250 at Pocono Raceway:
Starting Position, Driver, Car No.
- 1, Chase Elliott, No. 17 Chevrolet
- 2, Brandon Jones, No. 20 Toyota
- 3, Nick Sanchez, No. 48 Chevrolet
- 4, William Sawalich, No. 18 Toyota
- 5, Ryan Sieg, No. 39 Ford
- 6, Sam Mayer, No. 41 Ford
- 7, Taylor Gray, No. 54 Toyota
- 8, Justin Allgaier, No. 7 Chevrolet
- 9, Connor Zilisch, No. 88 Chevrolet
- 10, Jesse Love, No. 2 Chevrolet
- 11, Matt DiBenedetto, No. 99 Chevrolet
- 12, Sheldon Creed, No. 00 Ford
- 13, Sammy Smith, No. 8 Chevrolet
- 14, Austin Hill, No. 21 Chevrolet
- 15, Christian Eckes, No. 16 Chevrolet
- 16, Harrison Burton, No. 25 Ford
- 17, Justin Bonsignore, No. 19 Toyota
- 18, Daniel Dye, No. 10 Chevrolet
- 19, Brennan Poole, No. 44 Chevrolet
- 20, Jeb Burton, No. 27 Chevrolet
- 21, Jeremy Clements, No. 51 Chevrolet
- 22, Carson Kvapil, No. 1 Chevrolet
- 23, Parker Retzlaff, No. 4 Chevrolet
- 24, Ryan Ellis, No. 71 Chevrolet
- 25, Dean Thompson, No. 26 Toyota
- 26, Josh Williams, No. 11 Chevrolet
- 27, Blaine Perkins, No. 31 Chevrolet
- 28, Anthony Alfredo, No. 42 Chevrolet
- 29, Mason Massey, No. 45 Chevrolet
- 30, Kris Wright, No. 5 Chevrolet
- 31, Josh Bilicki, No. 91 Chevrolet
- 32, Garrett Smithley, No. 14 Chevrolet
- 33, Carson Ware, No. 35 Ford
- 34, Dawson Cram, No. 74 Chevrolet
- 35, Patrick Emerling, No. 07 Chevrolet
- 36, Leland Honeyman Jr., No. 70 Chevrolet
- 37, Kyle Sieg, No. 28 Ford
- 38, Logan Bearden, No. 53 Chevrolet
250 miles. Three turns. One winner.
Let's go racing at @PoconoRaceway! pic.twitter.com/6Uq1O379y2
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) June 21, 2025
