NASCAR

NASCAR Xfinity Series US Marine Corps 250: Qualifying, Connor Zilisch’s Pole Position, Lineup At Martinsville Speedway

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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 Mar 2025

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xfinity martinsville qualifying art spring (1)

NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Connor Zilisch experienced the other side of qualifying at Martinsville Speedway. 

When asked about his top qualifying run Friday, securing the pole for Saturday’s US Marine Corps 250, Zilisch smiled and spoke of the last time he attempted to qualify at the 0.526-mile oval. Competing on the Truck Series last season, Zilisch told CW he qualified P27.  

“I went completely from one end of the spectrum to the other,” he said. 

Zilisch turned a hot lap of 95.213 mph, edging JR Motorsports teammate Carson Kvapil (95.089 mph), who will start on the outside of the front row for the second time this season. Austin Hill (94.732) will start third, next to Jesse Love (94.369), who announced Friday he will make his Cup Series debut at Bristol Motor Speedway on April 13. 

Zilisch, who earned a spot in the Xfinity Series playoffs with a win from the pole at COTA, has three career starts from the inside of the front row. It’s his first at a short track.

Greg Van Alst Out To Ace Short Track 

A short-track specialist, driver Greg Van Alst has yet to produce a finish better than P26, which he produced during the season-opening event at Daytona. 

In his other two events this season, at Phoenix (P31) and Las Vegas (P35), Van Alst’s fortunes at the pair of 1.5-mile tracks didn’t improve. A former Sportsman and Super Series champion, the driver for Joey Gase Motorsports enters Saturday’s event at Martinsville anticipating a run with the lead pack. 

“Short tracks are my bread and butter,” Van Alst said via press release. 

Van Alst’s P26 in an Xfinity Series race at Martinsville last season remains tied for his best effort in 15 NASCAR National Series starts. Van Alst qualified P36 Friday.

NASCAR Xfinity Series US Marine Corps 250 Starting Lineup   

Here is a look at the lineup for Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series’ US Marine Corps 250 at Martinsville Speedway:   

Starting Position, Driver, Car No. 

  • 1, Connor Zilisch, No. 88 Chevrolet 
  • 2, Carson Kvapil, No. 1 Chevrolet 
  • 3, Austin Hill, No. 21 Chevrolet 
  • 4, Jesse Love, No. 2 Chevrolet 
  • 5, Harrison Burton, No. 25 Ford 
  • 6, Justin Allgaier, No. 7 Chevrolet 
  • 7, Brandon Jones, No. 20 Toyota 
  • 8, Corey Day, No. 17 Chevrolet 
  • 9, Daniel Dye, No. 10 Chevrolet 
  • 10, Sammy Smith, No. 8 Chevrolet 
  • 11, Taylor Gray, No. 54 Toyota 
  • 12, Dean Thompson, No. 26 Toyota 
  • 13, Ryan Sieg, No. 39 Ford 
  • 14, William Sawalich, No. 18 Toyota 
  • 15, Aric Almirola, No. 19 Toyota 
  • 16, Sam Mayer, No. 41 Ford 
  • 17, Anthony Alfredo, No. 42 Chevrolet 
  • 18, Sheldon Creed, No. 00 Ford 
  • 19, Christian Eckes, No. 16 Chevrolet 
  • 20, Nicholas Sanchez, No. 48 Chevrolet 
  • 21, Myatt Snider, No. 91 Chevrolet 
  • 22, Blaine Perkins, No. 31 Chevrolet 
  • 23, Jeremy Clements, No. 51 Chevrolet 
  • 24, Ryan Ellis, No. 71 Chevrolet 
  • 25, Thomas Annunziata, No. 70 Chevrolet 
  • 26, Josh Williams, No. 11 Chevrolet  
  • 27, Parker Retzlaff, No. 4 Chevrolet 
  • 28, Matt DiBenedetto, No. 99 Chevrolet 
  • 29, Brennan Poole, No. 44 Chevrolet 
  • 30, Kris Wright, No. 5 Chevrolet 
  • 31, Mason Maggio, No. 53 Ford 
  • 32, Brad Perez, No. 45 Chevrolet 
  • 33, Patrick Staropoli, No. 24 Toyota 
  • 34, Garrett Smithley, No. 14 Chevrolet 
  • 35, Kyle Sieg, No. 28 Ford 
  • 36, Greg Van Alst, No. 35 Chevrolet 
  • 37, Carson Ware, No. 07 Chevrolet 
  • 38, Jeb Burton, No. 27 Chevrolet 
  • 39, Dawson Cram, No. 74 Chevrolet 
  • 40, Tyler Tomassi, No. 66 Ford