The NASCAR Xfinity Series returned to Iowa Speedway this weekend, delivering another high-energy short-track battle in America’s heartland. The 0.875-mile oval, surrounded by cornfields, once again provided fans with a mix of strategy, lead changes, and late-race drama. Sam Mayer came out on top, earning his first win of the 2025 season and going back-to-back at Iowa after winning at the track last year.
Key Highlights
Sam Mayer captures his first win of 2025 and second straight Iowa victory.
Connor Zilisch dominates Stage 1 but loses track position after a pit stop issue.
Ross Chastain takes Stage 2, earning his 10th career stage win in the series.
Multiple cautions shake up the running order during the final stage.
Oil on track from Matt DiBenedetto incident adds late-race unpredictability.
A Fierce Start and Early Battles
Jesse Love got a strong launch from the front row as the green flag waved, but Connor Zilisch quickly began applying pressure in the No. 88 machine. After a brief side-by-side battle, Zilisch secured the lead and went on to win Stage 1, notching his fifth stage victory of the season.
The first caution of the race occurred after slight contact between Austin Dillon, filling in for Austin Hill in the No. 21, and Ryan Sieg. Both drivers avoided major damage, but the incident set the tone for an aggressive race and early discussions on tire strategy among the teams.
Pit Road Issues for Zilisch
Connor Zilisch looked set to control the race until a miscue on pit road during the stage break changed everything. The timing on the left-front tire change was off, leading the jackman to drop the car before the stop was complete. Zilisch was forced to return to pit road, dropping deep in the field.
Despite the setback, Zilisch charged back through the pack, showcasing his speed and determination. However, the lost track position allowed other contenders to battle for the lead, setting up a highly competitive middle portion of the race.
Ross Chastain Shines in Stage 2
Ross Chastain, driving the No. 9 for JR Motorsports, capitalized on clean air and long-run speed to take Stage 2, marking his 10th career stage victory in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Brandon Jones closed in late but fell just short of stealing the stage win. Taylor Gray also showed strong speed before fading late in the run.
Restarts proved critical throughout the race, with the outside lane consistently offering drivers better momentum off the corner. Teams took note, adjusting strategies for expected late-race battles where track position would be everything.
Late-Race Chaos and Mayer’s Perfect Timing
The final stage featured multiple cautions and intense battles for position. Rookie Daniel Dye brought out one yellow after a right-front issue sent him into Josh Bilicki, while Corey Heim and Dean Thompson narrowly avoided a major crash after hard racing.
Drama unfolded among JR Motorsports teammates when Connor Zilisch got loose in a three-wide battle, sending Ross Chastain sideways and collecting Justin Allgaier. The incident caused frustration in the camp and disrupted all three drivers’ chances of contending for the win.
Late in the race, Matt DiBenedetto’s car leaked oil on the track, catching out several drivers, including Sam Mayer and Jesse Love. Despite visible fluid, NASCAR opted to keep the race green initially, creating tense moments as cars searched for grip in slick conditions.
Mayer made the most of a strong late restart, jumping ahead of Jesse Love while Harrison Burton briefly challenged for second place before losing pace. With Mayer out front, Carson Kvapil and others battled hard for positions inside the top five, but the No. 1 machine held firm.
A final caution flew just as Mayer took the white flag, ending the race under yellow and securing his first win of the 2025 season.
News in Brief: 2025 Race Highlights from Xfinity Series at Iowa
Iowa Speedway once again delivered a thrilling short-track race that tested drivers and teams at every turn. Connor Zilisch looked dominant early but was undone by pit road trouble, Ross Chastain added another stage win to his tally, and Jesse Love continued to show his potential. Ultimately, Sam Mayer executed perfectly when it counted, surviving late-race chaos to claim a much-needed win.
With the playoffs looming, the Iowa race provided crucial stage points for contenders and set the tone for the remaining regular-season events. Mayer’s second consecutive Iowa victory will boost his momentum as the series heads into its next challenge.
