The bigger story?
Connor Zilisch earning his eighth pole position following Saturday’s qualifying session at Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course or JR Motorsports filling the top five starting spots for the Blue Cross NC 250?
Take your pick.
Most newsworthy, though? JR Motorsports. It’s the first time an organization has accomplished the top-five qualifying feat.
Regular-season champion Zilisch posted the fastest qualifying lap at 96.503 mph, edging runner-up Justin Allgaier by 0.460 seconds.
Zilisch also recorded the fastest practice lap at 95.918 mph.
That's 8 #XfinitySeries poles for @ConnorZilisch in 2025.
It's the most since @KyleBusch & @Erik_Jones had 9 each in 2016. pic.twitter.com/WG33ljTsbY
— Xfinity Racing (@XfinityRacing) October 4, 2025
NASCAR Xfinity Series Drivers Grouped Tight
The series’ playoff chase remains tight.
With three of the Round of 8 spots taken entering Saturday, No. 9-ranked Nicholas Sanchez, who is five points below the cutoff line, is among four pilots within 16 points of the fifth position in the playoff standings.
Brandon Jones, Connor Zilisch, and Justin Allgaier qualified for the third round of the playoffs, while Sam Mayer (plus-43 points) appears to be in a solid position to advance.
From there, Taylor Gray (+16), Sheldon Creed (12), Carson Kvapil (+9) and Jesse Love (+5) remain bunched above the cutoff. Trailing Sanchez are Austin Hill (-7), Harrison Burton (-8) and Sammy Smith (-14).
The battle at the bubble is tight.
Only five points currently separate @jesselovejr1 and @Nicksanchez080 for the final spot in the Round of 8. pic.twitter.com/eQlCar5CWk
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) October 2, 2025
Blue Cross NC 250 Starting Lineup
Here is a look at the lineup for Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series’ Blue Cross NC 250 at Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course:
Starting Position, Driver, Car No.
- 1, Connor Zilisch, No. 88 Chevrolet
- 2, Justin Allgaier, No. 7 Chevrolet
- 3, Connor Mosack, No. 9 Chevrolet
- 4, Sammy Smith, No. 8 Chevrolet
- 5, Carson Kvapil, No. 1 Chevrolet
- 6, Corey Day, No. 17 Chevrolet
- 7, Sam Mayer, No. 41 Ford
- 8, Jesse Love, No. 2 Chevrolet
- 9, Kaz Grala, No. 24 Toyota
- 10, Austin Green, No. 87 Chevrolet
- 11, Aric Almirola, No. 19 Toyota
- 12, Brennan Poole, No. 44 Chevrolet
- 13, Sheldon Creed, No. 00 Ford
- 14, Nicholas Sanchez, No. 48 Chevrolet
- 15, William Sawalich, No. 18 Toyota
- 16, Austin Hill, No. 21 Chevrolet
- 17, Taylor Gray, No. 54 Toyota
- 18, Christian Eckes, No. 16 Chevrolet
- 19, Preston Pardus, No. 50 Chevrolet
- 20, Matt DiBenedetto, No. 99 Chevrolet
- 21, Alex Labbe, No. 07 Chevrolet
- 22, Ryan Sieg, No. 39 Ford
- 23, Brandon Jones, No. 20 Toyota
- 24, Josh Bilicki, No. 91 Chevrolet
- 25, Sage Karam, No. 53 Toyota
- 26, Parker Retzlaff, No. 4 Chevrolet
- 27, Daniel Hemric, No. 11 Chevrolet
- 28, Harrison Burton, No. 25 Ford
- 29, Ryan Ellis, No. 71 Chevrolet
- 30, Jeb Burton, No. 27 Chevrolet
- 31, Leland Honeyman, No. 92 Chevrolet
- 32, Josh Williams, No. 45 Chevrolet
- 33, Dean Thompson, No. 26 Toyota
- 34, Anthony Alfredo, No. 42 Chevrolet
- 35, Blaine Perkins, No. 31 Chevrolet
- 36, Jeremy Clements, No. 51 Chevrolet
- 37, Kyle Sieg, No. 28 Ford
- 38, Daniel Dye, No. 10 Chevrolet
- 39, Garrett Smithley, No. 14 Chevrolet
- 40, Thomas Annunziata, No. 70 Chevrolet
- 41, Austin J. Hill, No. 35 Chevrolet
- 42, Andrew Patterson, No. 32 Chevrolet
Ready to rock the @CLTMotorSpdwy ROVAL! 🎸 pic.twitter.com/LfMgQKhOb2
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) October 4, 2025
