Saturday’s Loop 110 at the Chicago Street Course marks a critical juncture in the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series season. With only 38 spots available and 40 drivers entered, two hopefuls will fall short before the green flag even waves. As the series returns to downtown Chicago for the third time, the drama isn’t just on track—it starts with the entry list.
This 18th race of the season brings a loaded field of road-course talent, Cup Series ringers, and rising stars. With teams looking to dial in their street racing setups and lock in playoff positioning, the pressure is on from the moment teams unload.
A Packed Field with Limited Spots
Unlike the Cup Series, where charter systems ensure full fields, the NASCAR Xfinity Series entry list is capped at 38 starters per race weekend. For the Loop 110, 40 teams are currently entered, meaning two drivers and crews will be sent home after qualifying.
Among the most closely watched entries are those fielding part-time cars or unique combinations:
Nick Sanchez (#48) returns after winning last weekend’s Xfinity race at EchoPark Speedway. He’ll drive Big Machine Racing’s Chevrolet, aiming to go back-to-back on vastly different tracks.
Shane van Gisbergen (#9), last year’s Chicago Cup Series winner, suits up for JR Motorsports in a WeatherTech/Red Bull-branded entry. He’s arguably the top threat on any street course.
Jack Perkins (#19) and William Sawalich (#18) headline Joe Gibbs Racing’s powerful road-course effort, with the team entering four Toyotas total.
Connor Zilisch (#88) also joins the JR Motorsports lineup, giving the powerhouse team four bullets in the chamber.
| Entry | # | Driver |
| 1 | 0 | Sheldon Creed |
| 2 | 7 | Alex Labbe |
| 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 | 9 | Shane Van Gisbergen |
| 10 | 10 | Daniel Dye |
| 11 | 11 | Josh Williams |
| 12 | 14 | Connor Mosack |
| 13 | 16 | Christian Eckes |
| 14 | 18 | William Sawalich |
| 15 | 19 | Jack Perkins |
| 16 | 20 | Brandon Jones |
| 17 | 21 | Austin Hill |
| 18 | 24 | Kaz Grala |
| 19 | 25 | Harrison Burton |
| 20 | 26 | Dean Thompson |
| 21 | 27 | Jeb Burton |
| 22 | 28 | Kyle Sieg |
| 23 | 31 | Blaine Perkins |
| 24 | 32 | Austin Green |
| 25 | 35 | TBA |
| 26 | 39 | Ryan Sieg |
| 27 | 41 | Sam Mayer |
| 28 | 42 | Anthony Alfredo |
| 29 | 44 | Brennan Poole |
| 30 | 45 | Brad Perez |
| 31 | 48 | Nick Sanchez |
| 32 | 50 | Preston Pardus |
| 33 | 51 | Jeremy Clements |
| 34 | 53 | TBA |
| 35 | 54 | Taylor Gray |
| 36 | 70 | Thomas Annunziata |
| 37 | 71 | Ryan Ellis |
| 38 | 88 | Connor Zilisch |
| 39 | 91 | Josh Bilicki |
| 40 | 99 | Matt DiBenedetto |
This jam-packed roster includes several young drivers trying to make a name on a high-profile weekend. With Cup Series drivers in town, a good run could open new opportunities.
Notable Drivers and Teams to Watch
Chicago’s street course doesn’t favor the faint of heart. It’s bumpy, narrow, and offers minimal margin for error. Here’s who fans should keep an eye on:
Road Course Specialists
Preston Pardus (#50) – A known road-course ace, Pardus returns in his family-owned entry, aiming to out-brake the field through tight corners.
Brad Perez (#45) – Nicknamed “Bread,” Perez continues to make a name for himself at Alpha Prime Racing, bringing a mix of grassroots racing and technical skill.
Austin Green (#32) – Racing for Jordan Anderson Racing, the Volpi-backed driver is another name to watch in tight traffic.
Cup Affiliates and Ringers
Shane van Gisbergen (#9) – A former Supercars champion, SVG’s ability to navigate city streets is nearly unmatched. He’s the favorite to watch—if he qualifies cleanly.
Connor Zilisch (#88) – Known for his adaptability and Red Bull backing, the young driver is a future Cup talent on display this weekend.
Young Guns and Veterans
Jesse Love (#2) and Austin Hill (#21) continue to anchor Richard Childress Racing’s lineup. Love is contending for wins nearly weekly, while Hill’s road course form has improved.
Jeremy Clements (#51) and Matt DiBenedetto (#99) bring experience and resilience. DiBenedetto’s new Viking Motorsports team is still finding its footing, but Chi-town could surprise.
Teams Going All-In and the Qualification Puzzle
There are several interesting team strategies at play as the field attempts to squeeze into the 38-car limit.
JR Motorsports fields four entries (Kvapil, Smith, van Gisbergen, Zilisch), the most among full-time operations. That means internal competition could be fierce just to set up equipment optimally for all drivers.
Joe Gibbs Racing matches that intensity, sending out four Toyotas with a balance of youth and experience.
Kaulig Racing, Alpha Prime, and Jordan Anderson Racing are all fielding multi-car teams as well, looking to punch above their weight.
Several cars on the entry list still list TBA for drivers (#35, #53). Their ability to even compete will depend on who is named by NASCAR’s final deadline and whether they pass tech.
With a narrow window for error, qualifying will be brutal. Teams need not only speed but the right street course setup and error-free laps. One mistake in qualifying could mean packing up early.
News in Brief: 2025 Loop 110 Entry List
The Loop 110 has quickly earned a reputation as one of the Xfinity Series’ most chaotic and entertaining races. Add in the overstuffed entry list, narrow streets of Chicago, and unpredictable weather, and you have a recipe for a wild weekend. For teams on the bubble, qualifying is their race. For the heavy hitters like SVG, Allgaier, and Hill, it’s about avoiding mistakes and executing road-course precision.
Two drivers won’t make the show, but for the remaining 38, a unique chance at street-course glory awaits.
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