NASCAR

NASCAR Xfinity Series GOVX 200: Qualifying, Alex Bowman At Home On Pole, Lineup At Phoenix Raceway 

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By
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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Published08 Mar 2025

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xfinity series qualifying at phoenix winger (1)

Alex Bowman was ready for some home cooking. 

Bowman, a Tucson, Ariz., native, turned a hot qualifying lap of 131.984 mph, capturing the pole position for Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Phoenix Raceway. 

Bowman, piloting the No. 17 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, will be joined in the front row by Sheldon Creed (131.584 mph), who continues searching for his first Xfinity after 106 starts. 

Sammy Smith, rookie Connor Zilisch and Jesse Love, William Sawalich, Nick Sanchez, Aric Almirola, Taylor Gray and Austin Hill round out the top 10. Smith won the winter race at the one-mile tri-oval in 2023. 

A Cup Series regular, Bowman has one career Xfinity Series win, a 2017 outing at Charlotte Motor Speedway, and four poles. The GOVX 200 was scheduled to start Saturday at 5 p.m. ET.

 Starting Lineup for NASCAR Xfinity Series’ GOVX 200   

Here is a look at the lineup for Sunday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series’ GOVX 200 at Phoenix Raceway:   

Starting Position, Driver, Car No. 

  • 1, Alex Bowman, No. 17 Chevrolet 
  • 2, Sheldon Creed, No. 00 Ford 
  • 3, Sammy Smith, No. 8 Chevrolet 
  • 4, Connor Zilisch, No. 88 Chevrolet 
  • 5, Jesse Love, No. 2 Chevrolet 
  • 6, William Sawalich, No. 18 Toyota 
  • 7, Nick Sanchez, No. 48 Chevrolet 
  • 8, Aric Almirola, No. 19 Toyota 
  • 9, Taylor Gray, No. 54 Toyota 
  • 10, Austin Hill, No. 21 Chevrolet 
  • 11, Jeb Burton, No. 27 Chevrolet 
  • 12, Dean Thompson, No. 26 Toyota 
  • 13, Sam Mayer, No. 41 Ford 
  • 14, Justin Allgaier, No. 7 Chevrolet 
  • 15, Josh Williams, No. 11 Chevrolet 
  • 16, Brandon Jones, No. 20 Toyota 
  • 17, Daniel Dye, No. 10 Chevrolet 
  • 18, Blaine Perkins, No. 31 Chevrolet 
  • 19, Jeremy Clements, No. 51 Chevrolet 
  • 20, Christian Eckes, No. 16 Chevrolet 
  • 21, Harrison Burton, No. 25 Ford 
  • 22, Josh Bilicki, No. 91 Chevrolet 
  • 23, Brennan Poole, No. 44 Chevrolet 
  • 24, Carson Kvapil, No. 1 Chevrolet 
  • 25, Anthony Alfredo, No. 42 Chevrolet 
  • 26, Parker Retzlaff, No. 4 Chevrolet 
  • 27, Thomas Annunziata, No. 70 Chevrolet 
  • 28, Ryan Ellis, No. 71 Chevrolet 
  • 29, Nick Leitz, No. 07 Chevrolet 
  • 30, Ryan Sieg, No. 39 Ford 
  • 31, Matt DiBenedetto, No. 99 Chevrolet 
  • 32, Kyle Sieg, No. 28 Ford 
  • 33, Kris Wright, No. 5 Chevrolet 
  • 34, Mason Massey, No. 45 Chevrolet 
  • 35, Dawson Cram, No. 74 Chevrolet 
  • 36, Garrett Smithley, No. 14 Chevrolet 
  • 37, Joey Gase, No. 53 Chevrolet 
  • 38, Gret Van Alst, No. 35 Chevrolet