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NASCAR Xfinity Series’ Sammy Smith Hangs On; Connor Zilisch Retains Top Championship Odds

Jeff Hawkins Written by Sports EditorJeff Hawkins
Updated –
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NASCAR Xfinity Series’ Sammy Smith Hangs On; Connor Zilisch Retains Top Championship Odds

Following a week off, the NASCAR Xfinity Series returns to Round of 12 action at Kansas Speedway. Non-playoff driver Aric Almirola utilized a deft strategy to claim the Sept. 12 race at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Sammy Smith, meanwhile, had extra time to stew over his opening-round effort. Engine issues caused the No. 8 Chevrolet to lose power. Smith’s run ended after 55 laps.

The prognosis? A faulty head gasket.

The setback caused Smith to finish P37, second to last.

Smith enters Saturday’s event at Kansas Speedway ranked No. 12, 24 points below the cutoff line. He drew last-place +7500 odds to capture the circuit title, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

Regular-season titleholder Connor Zilisch (-110) remains the overwhelming sports-betting favorite.

Garrett Smithley’s Ride Gets New Look

For the final six races on the series schedule, SS-Greenlight Racing announced a new primary sponsor for the No. 14 Chevrolet.

Beginning with Saturday’s race at Kansas, ThermoTech Partners will sponsor the small Mooresville, N.C.-based organization’s team, which is led by driver Garrett Smithley.

“This is a huge deal for us,” said Smithley, who ranks No. 30 in the drivers’ standings. “Have a partner for the final six races is a huge relief for the end of the season.”

In 20 starts, Smithley posted a one top-10 finish and led one lap. Driver Logan Bearden finished P30, four laps off the pace, at Bristol Motor Speedway on Sept. 12.

Added team owner Bobby Dotter: We are excited. The next six races are going to be massively important for setting our team up for success for the 2026 season.”

2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship Odds

Here are the drivers’ odds for the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series drivers’ championship, according to FanDuel Sportsbook: 

Driver 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship Odds
Connor Zilisch -110
Justin Allgaier +250
Sam Mayer +650
Jesse Love +1200
Austin Hill +1400
Sheldon Creed +3000
Brandon Jones +3500
Carson Kvapil +3500
Taylor Gray +4000
Nicholas Sanchez +5000
Sammy Smith +7500
Harrison Burton +7500

*-Odds current at time of publication

Jeff Hawkins Written by Sports EditorJeff Hawkins
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He joined the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on NASCAR's increasing corporate influences, particularly in northern racetracks — commentary which you might find Jeff building on as part of the Motorsports writing team at Sportscasting now.  
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