Shane van Gisbergen is back behind the wheel this weekend, but this time it’s not the Cup Series making noise in wine country. After a clean sweep in Chicago, the New Zealand star joins a deep NASCAR Xfinity Series lineup for one of the season’s most challenging road races. The 2025 Pit Boss/FoodMaxx 250 entry list includes some rising stars, Cup Series regulars, and hungry part-timers—making for a tight field. But there’s one twist that changes everything before the green flag even waves.
Key Highlights
Shane van Gisbergen returns to the No. 9 JR Motorsports Chevrolet after his Chicago double-win
Riley Herbst joins Joe Gibbs Racing for another Xfinity start, piloting the No. 19 Toyota Supra
Corey Day, a dirt standout, is set to make his Xfinity Series debut in the No. 17 for Hendrick Motorsports
39 cars entered, but only 38 will race—meaning one driver will miss the field
Familiar Names, Fresh Pairings
The entry list for the 2025 Pit Boss/FoodMaxx 250 is packed with talent, but some drivers are in unfamiliar seats. Riley Herbst, who usually drives for 23XI Racing in the Cup Series, will make his return to the Xfinity Series with Joe Gibbs Racing. He’ll handle the No. 19 Toyota Supra, a car that has seen multiple driver rotations this year. Meanwhile, Shane van Gisbergen will try to keep his hot streak going in the No. 9 JR Motorsports car, a ride normally filled by Brandon Jones or a rotation of part-timers.
Another key name to watch is Corey Day, the 19-year-old rising star from dirt track racing, who will debut in a high-profile opportunity with Hendrick Motorsports in the No. 17. He’s largely unknown on road courses but has shown flashes of brilliance in testing.
There’s also the return of road-course specialist Will Rodgers, who’ll run the No. 70, and Aric Almirola, a longtime Cup veteran, who slots into the No. 19, depending on Joe Gibbs Racing’s lineup strategy.
Full Field, Tough Cut
The entry count for Saturday’s race is 39 cars, but the Xfinity Series field maxes out at 38 starters. That means one team will go home after qualifying. Based on owner points and past performance, the driver of the No. 35 remains unconfirmed and could be the one at risk unless they bring strong speed early.
With the No. 88 driven by Connor Zilisch, the No. 91 with Josh Bilicki, and others like Brad Perez and Will Rodgers expected to qualify well, the bubble spot could come down to qualifying conditions. Teams on the edge will also need to hope for clean laps in practice and technical inspection going smoothly.
Meanwhile, top-tier rides like the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota (driven by Brandon Jones) and the No. 7 JR Motorsports Chevrolet (piloted by Justin Allgaier) are expected to contend for the win. Sam Mayer, Sammy Smith, and Austin Hill will also factor into the top-five conversation.
| S No. | Car No. | Driver |
| 1 | 00 | Sheldon Creed |
| 2 | 1 | Carson Kvapil |
| 3 | 2 | Jesse Love |
| 4 | 4 | Parker Retzlaff |
| 5 | 5 | Kris Wright |
| 6 | 07 | Alex Labbe |
| 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 | 17 | Corey Day |
| 15 | 18 | William Sawalich |
| 16 | 19 | Aric Almirola |
| 17 | 20 | Brandon Jones |
| 18 | 21 | Austin Hill |
| 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 | 51 | Jeremy Clements |
| 33 | 53 | Sage Karam |
| 34 | 54 | Taylor Gray |
| 35 | 70 | Will Rodgers |
| 36 | 71 | Ryan Ellis |
| 37 | 88 | Connor Zilisch |
| 38 | 91 | Josh Bilicki |
| 39 | 99 | Matt DiBenedetto |
Road Course Stars in the Spotlight
Saturday’s race at Sonoma Raceway is not just another road course—it’s one of the most technically challenging layouts on the calendar. Elevation changes, sharp corners, and narrow racing lines demand high skill levels. That puts extra attention on specialists like Shane van Gisbergen, Will Rodgers, and Josh Bilicki.
Connor Zilisch, who will drive the No. 88, is another name to watch. His IMSA and karting background make him one of the best young drivers in terms of braking and car control.
In terms of championship implications, Austin Hill, Sam Mayer, and Justin Allgaier remain firmly in the playoff hunt, with Allgaier looking for redemption after a late crash in Chicago. William Sawalich and Taylor Gray will try to gain valuable experience and keep their respective teams in the points race.
News in Brief: 2025 Xfinity Entry List for Sonoma Race
The 2025 Pit Boss/FoodMaxx 250 brings another loaded field to Sonoma Raceway, with 39 cars gunning for 38 starting spots. Shane van Gisbergen, fresh off a dominant weekend in Chicago, will be back with JR Motorsports. He’s joined by Cup talents like Riley Herbst and newcomers like Corey Day. With road-course ringers and up-and-comers in the mix, Saturday’s showdown could reshape the Xfinity Series playoff picture. One car will be left out after qualifying—and that could shift everything before the green flag drops.
ALSO READ: The Loop 110 Entry List: Who’s In, Who’s Out for the 2025 Chicago Xfinity Showdown
