The NASCAR Xfinity Series returned to the Monster Mile at Dover Motor Speedway for the 2025 edition of the BetRivers 200, and while the race promised 200 laps of hard-nosed short track action, Mother Nature had other plans. Rain brought the event to an early halt after 134 laps, handing the win to rookie sensation Connor Zilisch. But before the red flag waved, the race delivered plenty of drama, strategy, and standout performances from veterans and young stars alike.
Here’s a full breakdown of the race highlights from Dover’s 2025 showdown.
Taylor Gray Commands Stage 1, Then Stumbles on Pit Road
The all-rookie front row set the tone for a youthful battle at the front, with Taylor Gray taking the green flag from the outside lane and immediately pulling ahead to control the early laps. Driving the No. 54 car, Gray showcased maturity and pace, leading wire-to-wire in Stage 1 for his second career stage win.
But the momentum quickly shifted during the first round of pit stops. A slow stop cost Gray significant track position—dropping him completely off the leaderboard. The young driver’s frustrations boiled over on the radio, describing the car as “the worst he’s ever driven” after being mired mid-pack and battling dirty air.
Despite his opening dominance, Gray’s chances were effectively undone by one costly stop.
Connor Zilisch Seizes Stage 2 and the Race Lead
As the field shuffled following pit road, it was Connor Zilisch who pounced. Restarting in the second row, the driver of the No. 88 surged to the lead with a bold move and never looked back in Stage 2. His ability to fire off quickly on fresh tires and adjust as the run went on gave him a crucial edge.
Zilisch, who entered the race with three stage wins on the season—all on ovals—added a fourth with his Stage 2 triumph. More importantly, with rain looming on the radar, every lap led brought him closer to a potential win should the skies open up.
Meanwhile, Justin Allgaier continued a strong charge from deep in the field, reaching the top five by the end of the stage, while Brandon Jones quietly settled into second and remained within striking distance.
Handling Woes and Mechanical Failures Shake Up Contenders
Dover’s notoriously demanding concrete surface took its toll on multiple drivers. Ross Chastain, who was battling a loose car early, suffered a mechanical failure believed to be related to the drive shaft or rear end. He was forced to retire after a promising start.
Nick Sanchez also experienced issues, telling his crew over the radio that his steering had locked up unexpectedly—a potential power steering failure. Both drivers’ early exits were reminders of how quickly fortunes can shift at Dover.
JRM teammates faced mixed results: Allgaier continued to march forward, but Ross Chastain’s early issues and Taylor Gray’s dropoff left the team with plenty to diagnose moving forward.
Rain, Strategy, and the Chase for Track Position
With rain in the forecast, teams were forced to play a high-stakes guessing game. Communication between spotters and drivers was filled with weather updates and radar interpretations. While Zilisch remained steady out front, Brandon Jones and Allgaier pressed the issue, hoping to either challenge for the lead or be in position should a red flag freeze the field.
Eric Almirola, running consistently inside the top five, requested a minor adjustment for rear grip, hoping to make a final push. As pit stops cycled under caution, Zilisch’s crew executed perfectly, keeping him out front ahead of Jones and Allgaier.
The race restarted with 110 laps to go, but everyone in the garage knew it might not run its full distance. Every lap became more intense as the dark clouds moved in.
The Red Flag Flies: Connor Zilisch Declared Winner at Dover
With 66 laps remaining, light rain became steady enough to warrant a caution and eventually a red flag. As track dryers moved in and hopes for a restart lingered, the situation worsened.
By 7:00 p.m. ET, with no progress in drying the track and daylight fading, NASCAR made it official: the BetRivers 200 would not resume.
Connor Zilisch was declared the winner, earning his fifth career NASCAR Xfinity Series victory and fourth win of the 2025 season—all during his rookie year. The performance further solidified Zilisch’s status as a rising star and a championship contender in the making.
Brandon Jones finished second, with Justin Allgaier placing third. Taylor Gray, after his early success, rebounded to seventh but was left wondering what could’ve been.
News in Brief: 2025 Xfinity Series Dover Recap
The 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Dover delivered all the intensity the Monster Mile is known for—even in a shortened format. Connor Zilisch capitalized on the opportunity, seizing the lead at the right moment and staying cool under pressure as rain clouds rolled in.
With his fourth win of the season and another oval stage sweep, Zilisch continues to prove that his rookie tag means little when the green flag drops. For other contenders like Taylor Gray, Brandon Jones, and Justin Allgaier, the day offered both lessons and momentum heading into the critical summer stretch.
If the rest of the 2025 season is anything like Dover, the championship fight is only going to get more unpredictable.
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