The NASCAR Xfinity Series heads to EchoPark Speedway — formerly known as Atlanta Motor Speedway — for a Friday night under the lights with the running of the Focused Health 250, marking the 17th race of the 2025 season. A full field of 38 cars is set for battle on the 1.54-mile superspeedway-style oval, with no drivers missing the race thanks to a perfect match between entries and the series’ maximum field size.
Friday’s event carries momentum from a dramatic race at Pocono, and there’s no shortage of storylines heading into this pivotal midseason contest — from Connor Zilisch’s return following his breakout victory, to veterans and newcomers looking to make a splash under the lights in Georgia.
Key Highlights
Connor Zilisch, fresh off his win at Pocono, returns in the No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet with Mardy Lindley back on the box.
38 cars are entered, meaning no teams will be sent home after qualifying.
Nick Sanchez, Sam Mayer, and Jesse Love headline the field of playoff contenders.
Matt DiBenedetto, Garrett Smithley, and Joey Gase are among experienced Cup drivers looking to shake up the Xfinity field.
Notable debuts and returns include Katherine Legge, Patrick Staropoli, and Mason Maggio.
Connor Zilisch Looks to Go Back-to-Back
One of the biggest stories entering the Focused Health 250 is the rise of 18-year-old Connor Zilisch, who captured his first NASCAR Xfinity Series win last week at Pocono. He’s back behind the wheel of the No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet, this time with regular crew chief Mardy Lindley returning from a one-race suspension. Zilisch’s composure and aggression last week showed he’s not just fast—he’s ready to race with the best.
Zilisch will have support from Blues Hog this weekend, and he’ll look to solidify a playoff position in what is expected to be a draft-heavy race at EchoPark. Superspeedway-style chaos often favors bold, fearless drivers—and Zilisch fits the bill perfectly.
Big Names and Championship Contenders Fill the Field
The 2025 Xfinity season has been fiercely competitive, and Friday’s race will feature several of the year’s top contenders. Justin Allgaier (No. 7) and Austin Hill (No. 21) have combined for six wins this season and remain neck-and-neck in the points standings. Allgaier returns with BRANDT sponsorship, while Hill will once again wheel the Bennett Transportation Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing.
Jesse Love (No. 2), Sam Mayer (No. 41), and Carson Kvapil (No. 1) have all impressed in their respective rides, with Love continuing to lead the rookie class and Kvapil quietly becoming one of the best closers in the series. Look for all three to be aggressive Friday night.
Meanwhile, Sheldon Creed, Brandon Jones, and Sammy Smith round out a deep JR Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing roster, each hunting for consistency and a shot at victory lane.
Underdogs, Veterans, and Wild Cards to Watch
While the front-runners battle for playoff position, there are plenty of wild cards capable of shaking things up. Matt DiBenedetto returns in the No. 99 Viking Motorsports Chevrolet, bringing his gritty Cup Series experience to a field loaded with young talent. Garrett Smithley (No. 14), Joey Gase (No. 35), and David Starr (No. 66) are among the veterans trying to steal stage points or a surprise top-10.
A trio of interesting female drivers are in the field, including Katherine Legge in the No. 32 for Jordan Anderson Racing. Legge brings global experience and solid road-racing skills that could translate well at EchoPark’s high-speed layout. Patrick Staropoli returns with Sam Hunt Racing in the No. 24, adding more intrigue to a grid full of part-time surprises.
Mason Massey, CJ McLaughlin, and Mason Maggio fill out a field loaded with underfunded teams that can benefit from the draft-heavy nature of this race. If the big teams falter, don’t be surprised to see one of these names sneak into the top 15.
NASCAR Xfinity Series Entry List – Focused Health 250
| Entry | # | Driver |
| 1 | 00 | Sheldon Creed |
| 2 | 07 | Nick Leitz |
| 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 | 18 | William Sawalich |
| 14 | 19 | Justin Bonsignore |
| 15 | 20 | Brandon Jones |
| 16 | 21 | Austin Hill |
| 17 | 24 | Patrick Staropoli |
| 18 | 25 | Harrison Burton |
| 19 | 26 | Dean Thompson |
| 20 | 27 | Jeb Burton |
| 21 | 28 | Kyle Sieg |
| 22 | 31 | Blaine Perkins |
| 23 | 32 | Katherine Legge |
| 24 | 35 | Joey Gase |
| 25 | 39 | Ryan Sieg |
| 26 | 41 | Sam Mayer |
| 27 | 42 | Anthony Alfredo |
| 28 | 44 | Brennan Poole |
| 29 | 45 | Mason Massey |
| 30 | 48 | Nick Sanchez |
| 31 | 51 | Jeremy Clements |
| 32 | 53 | Mason Maggio |
| 33 | 54 | Taylor Gray |
| 34 | 70 | Leland Honeyman |
| 35 | 71 | Ryan Ellis |
| 36 | 88 | Connor Zilisch |
| 37 | 91 | CJ McLaughlin |
| 38 | 99 | Matt DiBenedetto |
Some standout pairings from the official entry list include:
Nick Sanchez in the No. 48 for Big Machine Racing with strong superspeedway potential.
Christian Eckes in the No. 16 for Kaulig Racing, a team with a great track record on intermediate ovals.
Taylor Gray returns to the No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, continuing to gain seat time in one of the series’ best cars.
Sam Mayer (No. 41), a proven threat on high-speed tracks, looks for his second win of the year.
In total, six JR Motorsports-affiliated entries, four Kaulig Racing cars, and multiple part-time efforts add to the strategic complexity of Friday night’s pack racing.
News in Brief: 2025 Focused Health 250 Entry List at EchoPark Speedway
The Focused Health 250 at EchoPark Speedway will be far more than just another race on the calendar — it’s a superspeedway chess match in a critical part of the season. With playoff hopes on the line and several hungry drivers looking for a breakthrough, expect a blend of strategy, survival, and surprise to define Friday night’s race.
For fans, the combination of high speeds, tight packs, and playoff tension makes this one of the most exciting non-playoff races of the year. The green flag drops Friday night — and when it does, all bets are off.
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Our Reader’s Queries
Q: How long is the Focused Health 250?
A: The Focused Health 250, part of the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series, is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, March 1 at Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas. It marks the third race of the season and will run 65 laps, totaling 156 miles on the 17-turn, elevation-changing road course.
