Qualifying Order Set for 2025 BetRivers 200 at Dover Motor Speedway

The Xfinity Series heads to the Monster Mile with speed, stakes, and strategy all in motion. With just one annual stop at Dover Motor Speedway, Saturday’s BetRivers 200 will push drivers to the limit on a surface known to punish mistakes. As the 2025 season nears its midpoint, all eyes are on who will rise and who will stumble on the high-banked, one-mile concrete oval. First, however, the field must qualify—and the order is already set.

Key Highlights

• The BetRivers 200 is the 20th race of the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series season

• Dover Motor Speedway hosts just one Xfinity Series race each year

• Saturday’s qualifying format includes one round and two laps per driver

• 40 drivers entered, but only 38 will make the starting grid

• Connor Zilisch will roll out last with the strongest metric score

Setting the Field on the Monster Mile

Dover Motor Speedway has hosted the Xfinity Series since 1982 and remains one of the most intense tracks on the schedule. Its 24 degrees of banking and all-concrete surface make it unforgiving, demanding perfect rhythm and flawless execution. The 2025 edition of the BetRivers 200 is the only time the Xfinity Series will visit this venue, adding weight to every lap.

Saturday’s qualifying session is set to begin at 12:05 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on The CW App. Each of the 40 drivers will make a two-lap run, with times from the single-round format setting the lineup for the 200-lap main event. Two drivers will fail to qualify, placing additional pressure on teams near the bottom of the metric rankings.

The qualifying order itself was determined by a combination of results from the previous race (70%) and current owner points standings (30%). Drivers are split into two groups, with Group 1 containing drivers with lower scores and Group 2 featuring those with higher scores—often stronger performers.

Who Rolls Out First—and Why It Matters

Glen Reen will be the first car on track in Saturday’s qualifying session, piloting the No. 35 entry with a metric score of 40.7. The early run means potentially less rubber on the racing groove and possibly cooler track temperatures, though less grip can make for a tricky two laps. Reen is followed by Ryan Truex and David Starr, both trying to lock in on time and avoid being among the two who miss the cut.

Group 1 features several drivers fighting for recognition and stability, including Garrett Smithley, Jesse Love, Daniel Dye, and Kris Wright. These competitors may not have the championship spotlight just yet, but qualifying near the front at a place like Dover can give teams a much-needed boost in confidence and performance.

Group 1 will be watched closely as it includes numerous teams with inconsistent speed this season. For many of them, a top-20 start at Dover would be considered a major gain.

Group 2: Favorites Eye Track Position

Once Group 2 takes over, the pressure increases. These drivers carry lower metric scores—meaning higher performance—and are expected to contend not just in qualifying, but for the race win. Saturday’s late-session pace is expected to peak here, with increased rubber aiding lap times and the sport’s fastest rising talents going head-to-head.

2024 Dover pole winner Brandon Jones rolls out 29th, looking to repeat his qualifying feat from last season. Jones has shown raw speed at this track before, but with heavy competition from the likes of Austin Hill, Justin Allgaier, and Sammy Smith, the task won’t be easy. Notably, Allgaier—known for his Dover dominance—will be the second-to-last car to hit the track, which could give him an advantage if conditions improve.

Ross Chastain and Aric Almirola, typically Cup Series regulars, add an extra layer of difficulty for full-time Xfinity drivers. Their participation boosts the level of competition while giving younger drivers like Jesse Love and Taylor Gray more opportunities to benchmark their pace against veterans.

Among the final five qualifiers are contenders like Carson Kvapil and Nick Sanchez—two developing prospects with proven speed on concrete tracks. Taylor Gray and Connor Zilisch round out the order, with Zilisch holding the lowest metric score of the weekend. That advantage could prove valuable, especially if track conditions improve as the session goes on.

What’s at Stake on Saturday

Saturday’s qualifying at Dover will not only lock in the starting lineup for the BetRivers 200, but it will also determine which two teams go home empty-handed. With a field limit of 38 cars, the two slowest qualifiers—regardless of affiliation—will not compete in the race, making every inch and every lap count.

From top-tier organizations aiming for pole position to independent entries just hoping to make the show, the energy at Dover on qualifying day will be tense. Veteran names and rookie hopefuls share the stage, but only those who deliver in two laps will be around for the green flag later that day.

The Monster Mile is known for shaking up the order, and with no second chances, Saturday’s qualifying session is a pressure-cooker. Drivers who make the most of it may end up with a strong starting spot and a real shot at victory. Those who falter may not see race day at all.

News in Brief: Qualifying Order Set for 2025 BetRivers 200

The 2025 BetRivers 200 qualifying session at Dover features 40 drivers battling for 38 spots on a challenging concrete oval. Glen Reen rolls out first, while Connor Zilisch closes the session with the top metric score. Group 1 includes underdogs seeking a breakthrough, while Group 2 is stacked with contenders like Justin Allgaier, Brandon Jones, and Ross Chastain. With only one Xfinity race at Dover each season, the stakes are high and the margin for error slim.

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