This weekend, the Joe Gibbs Racing Xfinity Series Iowa Preview highlights the team‘s quest to extend their impressive legacy at Iowa Speedway, a venue where JGR has accumulated seven victories, 24 top-five showings, and over 2,100 laps led across 62 starts. The organization, rich with history and success at this track through drivers like Kyle Busch and Christopher Bell, is setting the stage for an intense showdown featuring emerging talents and established names.
Recent Team Performance at Iowa Speedway
Joe Gibbs Racing’s record at Iowa stands as a testament to its competitive depth, boasting seven race wins credited to drivers such as Kyle Busch, Sam Hornish Jr., Erik Jones, Ryan Preece, and Christopher Bell. The team’s consistency is evident in its 24 top-five and 38 top-ten results, as well as its nine pole positions at the 0.875-mile track. With 2,114 laps led, JGR continues to showcase dominance and strategic racing expertise at Iowa Speedway.
William Sawalich Set for First Xfinity Start in Iowa
William Sawalich, piloting the No. 18 Starkey Toyota GR Supra, will make his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut at Iowa this weekend, building on a foundation of strong ARCA Menards Series performances at the venue. Sawalich previously secured two runner-up results and led a remarkable 202 of 306 laps in those races, earning the ARCA pole position at Iowa in 2023. His recent form includes three consecutive top-10 finishes, capped by a ninth-place effort at Indianapolis Motor Speedway last weekend, where he advanced through the stages with steady progress.
Sawalich’s path to the Xfinity Series is paved with ARCA Menards Series East success. He clinched back-to-back AMSE championships at Bristol Motor Speedway in 2024 and now boasts seven series wins alongside 15 top-five finishes during his two-year reign, marking him as the first Minnesotan to claim this championship title. Sawalich is partnered with Jeff Meendering, a seasoned crew chief celebrated for ten Xfinity Series victories, most recently with Chandler Smith at Richmond earlier this year. Meendering’s leadership record includes 77 top-five and 153 top-ten finishes plus 17 poles.
The No. 18’s primary sponsor, Starkey, stands as a leading American-owned hearing technology provider headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, and is guided by CEO Brandon Sawalich. With global reach and a workforce exceeding 5,000 across 29 facilities, Starkey continues to innovate in the hearing solutions sector.
Justin Bonsignore Takes on New Challenge at Iowa
Justin Bonsignore will drive the No. 19 USNEPower Toyota GR Supra, stepping onto Iowa Speedway for his inaugural Xfinity Series appearance at the circuit. Bonsignore encountered a setback earlier this season at Pocono, where mechanical issues relegated him to a 38th-place result after qualifying mid-pack. This weekend, he debuts a new livery featuring USNEPower, a company specializing in services such as transformer and voltage regulator support, field troubleshooting, and forensic investigation.
On the pit wall, Seth Chavka oversees the No. 19 squad, continuing into his second stint as an Xfinity Series crew chief. Chavka’s first year included top-five finishes and his breakthrough win with Almirola at Kansas, in addition to strong results with a diverse roster of drivers including Ty Gibbs and William Sawalich. In the broader racing scene, Bonsignore remains a contender in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, tallying six top-five outcomes, eight top-tens, and a victory at Riverhead Raceway this season. He currently sits just four points from the championship lead as the season enters its decisive phase.
Brandon Jones Returns with Veteran Experience
Veteran driver Brandon Jones, behind the wheel of the No. 20 Criterion/Menards Toyota GR Supra, brings substantial Iowa Speedway experience with 11 prior Xfinity Series starts. Jones’s best result at the track came in 2018, finishing fifth for Joe Gibbs Racing. Across his Iowa career, Jones has achieved one top-five and three top-ten finishes, complemented by consistent performances throughout the season in the series overall. This consistency is underlined by his completion of 20 out of 21 races this year—a stat tying him for third-most among Xfinity participants—and 18 races on the lead lap, placing him in the series’ top five for that metric.
Jones’s recent race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway promised another strong finish until a late-race collision in front of him forced unscheduled repairs, resulting in a 32nd-place finish despite earlier stage successes. Paired with second-year crew chief Sam McAulay for 2025, Jones benefits from a partnership with a strategist who guided Sheldon Creed to 16 top-fives and 23 top-tens last season, and who has a Darlington win to his credit.
The continued backing from Menards underscores the stability of Jones’s program, with the retail giant extending a partnership that began in his 2015 season debut. Criterion also serves as co-primary sponsor this weekend, offering a range of home appliances known for reliability and affordability, targeting consumers, homeowners, and landlords through Menards’ widespread retail presence.
Taylor Gray Poised for Iowa Debut in Xfinity Series
Taylor Gray enters the Iowa fray driving the No. 54 Operation 300 Toyota GR Supra, marking his first Xfinity Series outing at this track. Within the ARCA Menards Series, Gray posted notable performances at Iowa, earning two top-five results in three starts, including a third-place in 2021. Gray’s momentum has been building, highlighted by a third-place finish at Indianapolis and six top-tens in his last seven tries, during which he has ranked second overall in points earned among all Xfinity competitors, including three top-five finishes and a 9.6 average result.
Veteran crew chief Jason Ratcliff, the Xfinity Series’ all-time leader in race wins with 57, reports to the No. 54 pit box. Ratcliff’s Iowa resume is sterling, with three victories in eight starts, 845 laps led, and only top-ten finishes guiding his teams at this venue. This leadership provides Gray a strong foundation for his series debut. Supporting the No. 54’s community impact, Operation 300, a nonprofit, sponsors Gray this weekend to raise awareness for its adventure camps supporting children who have lost a parent in military service, pairing them with mentors to foster healing and growth.
What to Expect from Joe Gibbs Racing at Iowa This Weekend
Joe Gibbs Racing arrives at Iowa Speedway with high aspirations, a legacy of success, and a mix of seasoned drivers and talented newcomers. The team’s rich track history, combined with capable crew chiefs such as Jeff Meendering, Seth Chavka, Sam McAulay, and Jason Ratcliff, sets the stage for another memorable Iowa contest. Each driver—William Sawalich, Justin Bonsignore, Brandon Jones, and Taylor Gray—brings unique momentum and storylines, promising lively competition and raising expectations for a JGR return to Victory Lane.
This event could shape the trajectory of the Xfinity Series season for JGR, with sponsor partners like Starkey, USNEPower, Menards, Criterion, and Operation 300 deepening the impact both on and off the track. With the field set and anticipation building, all eyes are on Joe Gibbs Racing as its Xfinity team strives to continue the Iowa tradition of strong results and historic achievements.
