NASCAR

NASCAR Xfinity Series Focused Health 250: Qualifying, Connor Zilisch’s Pole Position, Lineup At COTA

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Jeff Hawkins
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Jeff Hawkins Sports Editor

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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Published28 Feb 2025

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Jeremy Clements NASCAR throwback weekend Darlington Raceway

NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Connor Zilisch continues proving to be a prime rookie of the year candidate. If he can find a way to avoid race-ending accidents.

Zilisch, the Mooresville, N.C., native, secured the Focused Health 250 pole position after turning a hot qualifying lap of 88.832 mph at Circuit of The Americas on Friday. Zilisch edged runner-up Ross Chastain by 0.184 seconds. 

It was Zilisch’s second career pole in six starts. The 18-year-old JR Motorsports prospect also paced the practice field by nearly a half-second over Jesse Love. Zilisch appears primed to rebound after opening the season with wrecks at Daytona and Atlanta and ranks 32nd in the driver standings, 63 points behind leader Austin Hill. 

Zilisch, who won during his first Xfinity Series start at Watkins Glen last season, will make his Cup Series debut at the 2.4-mile oval Sunday.

Jeremy Clements Gearing Up For 500th Start 

Upon initially arriving on the Xfinity Series scene, it was still referred to as the Busch Series and Jeremy Clements admitted 15 years later, his team was “ill-prepared.” 

As a youth, the Spartanburg, S.C., native learned to race on dirt tracks before graduating to the ARCA Menards Series and finally finding a home as a full-time pilot on the Nationwide Series in 2011. In his 20th overall season, Clements is preparing to start his 500th race at COTA. 

“That’s a long time,” Clements told NASCAR.com. “I haven’t gotten to do it the way I’ve wanted to do it my whole career, but I’m still here and we are competitive. There are certain weekends that we can run up front and do well, and that’s what keeps me motivated to keep doing it. 

“I love the driving part. That’s why I keep doing it and love about it the most.” 

Clements’ preparedness steadily improved over the years, registering two career wins in 499 starts. The driver of the No. 51 Chevrolet will start P35 Saturday.

Starting Lineup for NASCAR Xfinity Series’ Focused Health 250 

Here is a look at the lineup for Sunday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series’ Focused Health 250 at Circuit of The Americas:   

Starting Position, Driver, Car No. 

  • 1, Connor Zilisch, No. 88 Chevrolet 
  • 2, Ross Chastain, No. 9 Chevrolet 
  • 3, William Byron, No. 17 Chevrolet 
  • 4, Justin Allgaier, No. 7 Chevrolet 
  • 5, Carson Kvapil, No. 1 Chevrolet 
  • 6, Corey Heim, No. 24 Toyota 
  • 7, Taylor Gray, No. 54 Toyota 
  • 8, Sam Mayer, No. 41 Ford 
  • 9, Riley Herbst, No. 19 Toyota 
  • 10, Christian Eckes, No. 16 Chevrolet 
  • 11, Jesse Love, No. 2 Chevrolet 
  • 12, Austin Hill, No. 21 Chevrolet 
  • 13, Brandon Jones, No. 20 Toyota 
  • 14, Sheldon Creed, No. 00 Ford 
  • 15, Daniel Dye, No. 10 Chevrolet 
  • 16, Sammy Smith, No. 8 Chevrolet 
  • 17, Anthony Alfredo, No. 42 Chevrolet 
  • 18, Blaine Perkins, No. 31 Chevrolet 
  • 19, Nick Sanchez, No. 48 Chevrolet 
  • 20, Austin Green, No. 32 Chevrolet 
  • 21, Josh Williams, No. 11 Chevrolet 
  • 22, Matt DiBenedetto, No. 99 Chevrolet 
  • 23, William Sawalich, No. 18 Toyota 
  • 24, Carson Hocevar, No. 14 Chevrolet 
  • 25, Preston Pardus, No. 50 Chevrolet 
  • 26, Josh Bilicki, No. 91 DGM Racing Chevrolet 
  • 27, Alex Labbe, No. 07 Ford 
  • 28, Sage Karam, No. 53 Chevrolet 
  • 29, Jeb Burton, No. 27 Chevrolet 
  • 30, Dean Thompson, No. 26 Toyota 
  • 31, Harrison Burton, No. 25 Ford 
  • 32, Brennan Poole, No. 44 Chevrolet 
  • 33, Kris Wright, No. 5 Chevrolet 
  • 34, Ryan Ellis, No. 71 Chevrolet 
  • 35, Jeremy Clements, No. 51 Chevrolet 
  • 36, Kyle Sieg, No. 28 Ford 
  • 37, Baltazar Leguizamon, No. 35 Joey Gase Motorsports Chevrolet 
  • 38, Ryan Sieg, No. 39 Ford