The 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series Focused Health 250 starting lineup is locked in, and the battle at Circuit of the Americas is set to be intense. Connor Zilisch put down a blazing lap to take the pole, but right behind him are top contenders like Ross Chastain and William Byron. With fierce competition on the grid and a few unexpected names missing the cut, the stakes are high. Who will rise to the challenge when the green flag drops?
A Weekend at Circuit of the Americas
The 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series has made its way to Austin, Texas, for the third race of the season—the Focused Health 250 at Circuit of the Americas (COTA). After an exciting Bennett Transportation and Logistics 250, all eyes are now set on this weekend’s showdown, which will take place on the 2.356-mile road course. Fans can tune in live on CW at 2:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 1, to witness 38 drivers battle it out over 65 laps in a 156-mile race. With a competitive lineup and a challenging track, this event promises intense action.
Connor Zilisch Secures Pole Position
Friday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series qualifying session set the stage for an electrifying main event. Connor Zilisch, driving the No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet, clinched the pole position with a lap time of 97.262 seconds and an average speed of 88.832 mph. This marks the second career pole for the 18-year-old, who is making waves in the NASCAR world. Zilisch is pulling double duty this weekend, as he is also set to make his NASCAR Cup Series debut in the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix on Sunday.
Joining Zilisch on the front row is NASCAR Cup Series regular Ross Chastain, who logged a speed of 88.664 mph in his No. 9 entry. William Byron, the defending winner of the NASCAR Cup Series EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix, will start third in the No. 17 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. Rounding out the top five are Justin Allgaier and Carson Kvapil. With such a strong front row, the battle for victory will be nothing short of thrilling.
Drivers Who Missed the Cut
With 41 cars entered in this weekend’s NASCAR Xfinity Series event, only 38 spots were available on the starting grid, leaving three drivers on the outside looking in. The drivers who failed to qualify for the Focused Health 250 were:
- Parker Retzlaff – No. 4 Alpha Prime Racing Chevrolet (full-time Xfinity Series driver)
- Brad Perez – No. 45 Alpha Prime Racing Chevrolet
- Thomas Annunziata – No. 53 entry (mechanical failure during qualifying)
These DNQs were unexpected, especially for Retzlaff, who is competing full-time in the series and was hoping to secure a solid finish at COTA. Meanwhile, Annunziata and Perez, both road course specialists, faced tough luck as they couldn’t make it to the main event.
Official 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series Focused Health 250 Starting Lineup
Here’s a look at the full starting lineup for the Focused Health 250 at Circuit of the Americas:
| No. | Car # | Driver |
| 1 | 88 | Connor Zilisch |
| 2 | 9 | Ross Chastain |
| 3 | 17 | William Byron |
| 4 | 7 | Justin Allgaier |
| 5 | 1 | Carson Kvapil |
| 6 | 24 | Corey Heim |
| 7 | 54 | Taylor Gray |
| 8 | 41 | Sam Mayer |
| 9 | 19 | Riley Herbst |
| 10 | 16 | Christian Eckes |
| 11 | 2 | Jesse Love |
| 12 | 21 | Austin Hill |
| 13 | 20 | Brandon Jones |
| 14 | 0 | Sheldon Creed |
| 15 | 10 | Daniel Dye |
| 16 | 8 | Sammy Smith |
| 17 | 42 | Anthony Alfredo |
| 18 | 31 | Blaine Perkins |
| 19 | 48 | Nick Sanchez |
| 20 | 32 | Austin Green |
| 21 | 11 | Josh Williams |
| 22 | 99 | |
| 23 | 18 | William Sawalich |
| 24 | 14 | Carson Hocevar |
| 25 | 50 | Preston Pardus |
| 26 | 91 | Josh Bilicki |
| 27 | 7 | Alex Labbe |
| 28 | 53 | Sage Karam |
| 29 | 27 | Jeb Burton |
| 30 | 26 | Dean Thompson |
| 31 | 25 | Harrison Burton |
| 32 | 44 | Brennan Poole |
| 33 | 5 | Kris Wright |
| 34 | 71 | Ryan Ellis |
| 35 | 51 |
Jeremy Clements
|
| 36 | 28 | Kyle Sieg |
| 37 | 35 |
Baltazar Leguizamon
|
| 38 | 39 | Ryan Sieg |
Watch the Action Unfold
Fans won’t want to miss a single lap of this highly anticipated race at Circuit of the Americas. With young talents like Connor Zilisch and Carson Kvapil competing against seasoned veterans like Ross Chastain and William Byron, the Focused Health 250 is shaping up to be an intense battle for supremacy. Tune in to CW at 2:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 1, to see who takes home the checkered flag. Radio coverage will also be available on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio for those following along on the go.
News in Brief: Xfinity Series Focused Health 250 Starting Lineup
The Xfinity Series Focused Health 250 at Circuit of the Americas will feature Connor Zilisch on pole, with Ross Chastain and William Byron close behind. The field includes rising stars like Carson Kvapil and experienced veterans, setting up an intense battle. Parker Retzlaff, Brad Perez, and Thomas Annunziata failed to qualify, highlighting the competition’s toughness. With 38 drivers ready to race, excitement is high.
ALSO READ: Focused Health 250 Qualifying Order Set for NASCAR Xfinity Series
