The NASCAR Xfinity Series heads to the tricky triangle of Pocono Raceway this weekend for the 16th race of the 2025 season—the Explore The Pocono Mountains 250. With all 38 available spots on the starting grid filled, fans can expect a full field of competition on one of the most unique tracks on the schedule.
This week’s entry list includes a mix of regular series contenders, Cup Series cameos, and some intriguing part-time entries. Notably absent is Daniel Suárez, who won last week’s race in Mexico City driving the No. 9 JR Motorsports Chevrolet. That team has not entered the event, making way for a reshuffled field as teams continue their push toward the Xfinity Series playoffs.
Notable Names and Surprising Entries
Although Daniel Suárez is sitting out this weekend, several high-profile drivers are taking center stage at Pocono, including Cup Series star Chase Elliott, who will pilot the No. 17 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. Elliott is always a fan favorite, and his presence adds star power and another level of intrigue to Saturday’s event.
Another notable Cup Series name is Justin Bonsignore, fresh off impressive runs in the Whelen Modified Tour. He returns to Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 19 Toyota entry, seeking to prove himself against the Xfinity regulars. Joining him in the JGR camp are young standout William Sawalich in the No. 18 Toyota and full-time contender Brandon Jones in the No. 20.
Meanwhile, JR Motorsports fields a strong trio despite the absence of Suárez: Carson Kvapil (No. 1), Sammy Smith (No. 8), and Connor Zilisch (No. 88) round out a youthful but competitive lineup. Kvapil has shown flashes of brilliance this year, while Zilisch, still early in his NASCAR development, will look to build on momentum.
Additionally, Haas Factory Team brings two formidable entries with Sheldon Creed (No. 00) and Sam Mayer (No. 41), both of whom have been top-10 threats throughout the season.
| Entry | # | Driver |
| 1 | 0 | Sheldon Creed |
| 2 | 7 | Patrick Emerling |
| 3 | 1 | Carson Kvapil |
| 4 | 2 | Jesse Love |
| 5 | 4 | Parker Retzlaff |
| 6 | 5 | Kris Wright |
| 7 | 7 | Justin Allgaier |
| 8 | 8 | Sammy Smith |
| 9 | 10 | Daniel Dye |
| 10 | 11 | Josh Williams |
| 11 | 14 | Garrett Smithley |
| 12 | 16 | Christian Eckes |
| 13 | 17 | Chase Elliott |
| 14 | 18 | William Sawalich |
| 15 | 19 | Justin Bonsignore |
| 16 | 20 | Brandon Jones |
| 17 | 21 | Austin Hill |
| 18 | 25 | Harrison Burton |
| 19 | 26 | Dean Thompson |
| 20 | 27 | Jeb Burton |
| 21 | 28 | Kyle Sieg |
| 22 | 31 | Blaine Perkins |
| 23 | 35 | Carson Ware |
| 24 | 39 | Ryan Sieg |
| 25 | 41 | Sam Mayer |
| 26 | 42 | Anthony Alfredo |
| 27 | 44 | Brennan Poole |
| 28 | 45 | Mason Massey |
| 29 | 48 | Nick Sanchez |
| 30 | 51 | Jeremy Clements |
| 31 | 53 | TBA |
| 32 | 54 | Taylor Gray |
| 33 | 70 | Leland Honeyman |
| 34 | 71 | Ryan Ellis |
| 35 | 74 | Dawson Cram |
| 36 | 88 | Connor Zilisch |
| 37 | 91 | Josh Bilicki |
| 38 | 99 |
Development Drivers and Regular Season Stalwarts
Several teams are using Pocono as an opportunity to give younger drivers more seat time. Jesse Love, the ARCA standout, continues his full-time campaign in Richard Childress Racing’s No. 2 entry, while teammate Austin Hill (No. 21) remains a consistent title contender. Love’s raw speed and aggression have gained attention, but Pocono’s long straights and tight corners will challenge his adaptability.
Another developing name to watch is Christian Eckes, returning to the Kaulig Racing No. 16 entry. Paired with full-timers Daniel Dye and Josh Williams, Kaulig brings a balanced trio to the triangle.
Sam Hunt Racing returns with Dean Thompson behind the wheel of the No. 26 Toyota. He’s shown flashes on intermediate tracks and will aim to translate that success to Pocono’s tricky layout. Harrison Burton, driving the No. 25 for AM Racing, is also looking for a bounce-back run as his future prospects remain uncertain.
Independent operations like Jeremy Clements Racing, DGM Racing, and Joey Gase Motorsports round out the grid with a mixture of veterans and hopefuls. Jeremy Clements (No. 51) has always been a fan favorite among underdog teams and will be joined by Josh Bilicki (No. 91) and a yet-to-be-announced driver in the No. 53.
Battle for Playoff Spots Intensifies
With just over half the season completed, the playoff picture is beginning to take shape—and Pocono’s results could prove pivotal. Points leader Austin Hill continues to lead the standings, but consistent pressure from drivers like Justin Allgaier (No. 7), Sheldon Creed, and Sam Mayer is keeping the chase for the regular-season title alive.
Hill’s teammate Jesse Love remains in the mix, but with several strong performances needed to lock in a playoff berth, every stage point matters. Meanwhile, drivers like Ryan Sieg, Parker Retzlaff, and Jeb Burton are in must-perform territory if they want to avoid falling out of contention.
The presence of Chase Elliott and other Cup drivers also presents a twist—any win by a non-Xfinity regular like Elliott or Bonsignore can block a full-time contender from an automatic playoff-qualifying victory.
News In Brief: Explore The Pocono Mountains 250 Entry List
The field is full, the pressure is rising, and Pocono Raceway promises to shake up the standings in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. With 38 drivers entered for the Explore The Pocono Mountains 250, the mix of veterans, rookies, and Cup crossovers should offer a compelling blend of speed, strategy, and unpredictability.
From Chase Elliott’s star return to Jesse Love’s playoff hopes and Carson Kvapil’s rookie charge, there’s no shortage of storylines as NASCAR rolls into one of its most technically demanding tracks. Don’t miss Saturday’s showdown at the triangle—it could define the next phase of the Xfinity season.
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