The JR Motorsports Xfinity Watkins Glen Preview heats up as the team sends a talented roster, including past winner Connor Zilisch and rising star Shane van Gisbergen, to take on the 2.45-mile New York road course this Saturday. With playoffs in sight and drivers vying for top spots, anticipation runs high among fans and competitors for an action-packed weekend at Watkins Glen International.
Kvapil Faces The Glen for the First Time With Xfinity
Carson Kvapil, piloting the No. 1 Bass Pro Shop / Clarience Technologies Chevrolet, arrives at Watkins Glen riding momentum from a recent top-10 finish in Iowa. In his first-ever <a href="https://slicksandsticks.com/category/news/xfinity-series/”>Xfinity Series start at the storied road course, the 22-year-old rookie brings solid stats: 22 starts, four top-five and nine top-10 finishes, having led 64 laps with an average finish of 14.2, currently sixth in points. While this is Kvapil’s fourth career Xfinity road course event—his best being eighth at Sonoma Raceway last month—he previously raced at The Glen in the TA2 series, starting third on the grid.
The rookie sits a comfortable 93 points above the Xfinity Series Playoff cutline, making each of the next four races critical as he aims to secure his spot in the postseason. As Kvapil looks to adapt quickly to Watkins Glen‘s technical layout, his primary goal remains consistency and capitalizing on past road-course speed for his team and sponsors Johnny Morris and Clarience Technologies.
“This No. 1 team has had a lot of speed on road courses this year and I know we will unload another fast piece this weekend. I had the opportunity to race at Watkins Glen in the TA2 car last year, so I hope that will help me adjust to the track in the Xfinity car. Our plan is to stay out of the mess and have a solid day for Johnny Morris and everyone at Bass Pro Shops and Clarience Technologies.”
—Carson Kvapil, Driver
Allgaier Pushes for Points Lead and Momentum
Justin Allgaier, driving the No. 7 BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet, enters Watkins Glen tied for first in driver points, an impressive position after a season tallying three wins, 11 top-fives, and 13 top-10s in 22 starts. Allgaier has a storied history at the upstate New York track, scoring four top-five and seven top-10 finishes in 13 career Xfinity starts. His best results—third place—came in both the 2018 and 2019 events at Watkins Glen, with additional road course wins at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and Road America.
With 60 career road course starts in the series, Allgaier’s record speaks for itself: three victories, 18 top-fives, and 35 top-10s. Leading into the weekend, he aims to reclaim momentum and extend his streak, bringing experience and determination to every lap. Crew chief Jim Pohlman and the entire BRANDT team are focused on execution and reliability, aiming for a strong finish to maintain the top-tier playoff position.
“This whole BRANDT Professional Agriculture team is ready to go this weekend in Watkins Glen. Jim (Pohlman, crew chief) and all the guys on this team have been working hard all week long and I know that we are going to go out and execute the way we need toon Saturday to come home with a solid, strong finish. If we can just keep all four wheels on track all day long, I know we are going to be where we need to be in the end. We’re ready to go and get that momentum back heading in the right direction.”
—Justin Allgaier, Driver
Smith Seeks Strong Result at Familiar Venue
Sammy Smith, at the wheel of the No. 8 Pilot Chevrolet, prepares for his fourth career Xfinity Series appearance at Watkins Glen. Smith’s record at the iconic venue features a best finish of third, secured in 2022, where he also paced the field for six laps. Outside of Xfinity action, Smith’s ARCA Menards Series effort at The Glen saw him snag pole position and notch a top-five finish that season.
This season, Smith’s focus on improving road course performance has led to three top-five and seven top-10 finishes among 17 Xfinity road course starts, including notable results in 2024. Support from his Pilot Chevrolet team has provided the platform for growth as Smith targets another competitive showing at one of NASCAR’s premier road racing venues.
“We’ve had good, consistent top-10 runs this season on road courses so I’m looking forward to Watkins Glen this weekend. I’ve been working to better my road-course driving and this No. 8 Pilot Chevrolet team has given me good cars to do that so I know we’ll have the car to be up there competing for the win this weekend.”
—Sammy Smith, Driver
Van Gisbergen Returns With Impressive Road Course Pedigree
Shane van Gisbergen, scheduled to drive the No. 9 Kubota Chevrolet, comes into the Watkins Glen weekend as one of the hottest properties in road course racing. In his only previous Xfinity Series start at The Glen, van Gisbergen began 13th, led 14 laps, and finished fifth. Although the New Zealand native was a contender for the win in last season’s Cup Series event, late-race contact relegated him to second place.
Building on exceptional recent form, van Gisbergen has raced twice for JR Motorsports this season, capturing two poles, a win at the Chicago Street Course, and a runner-up effort at Sonoma. In Cup Series competition, he became the fastest driver to four wins since Parnelli Jones in 1967 and matched legends Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, and Jimmie Johnson with his rookie performances. Notably, van Gisbergen stands as the only non-American driver to record at least four Xfinity wins, underlining his globally recognized talent heading into Saturday’s showdown.
“I’m looking forward to another race at Watkins Glen. It’s an awesome track and one where I know we will be competitive. It’s been epic getting to drive some Xfinity Series races with the No. 9 JR Motorsports team. I know we will will unload a fast Kubota Chevrolet and hopefully we are able to put together a great result on Saturday.”
—Shane van Gisbergen, Driver
Zilisch Chases Back-to-Back Victories at The Glen
Connor Zilisch returns to Watkins Glen in the No. 88 Registix Chevrolet, the very track where he claimed his maiden Xfinity Series win with JR Motorsports in 2024. Zilisch put on a dominant performance last year, starting from pole position, leading half the race, and crossing the finish line as the youngest winner in series history at 18 years, 1 month, and 23 days.
The Registix Chevrolet driver continues to build an impressive résumé: five wins, 11 top-five, and 13 top-10 results in 21 starts this season, with an average finish of 9.9. Coming off ten consecutive top-five finishes—a streak highlighted by victories at Pocono, Sonoma, Dover, and Indianapolis—Zilisch now shares the top spot in driver points with teammate Allgaier. Additionally, he leads all drivers in playoff points and maintains a 49-point advantage in the owner standings for the No. 88 team.
“Watkins Glen holds a lot of memories for me as I won my first-ever Xfinity race there last year. I’m looking forward to going back there to attempt two in a row, but also to continue the momentum this No. 88 JR Motorsports team has going. It’s going to be a busy weekend with also racing Cup and Truck but it’s cool to get these opportunities and I appreciate everyone who has a hand in making it happen. I can’t wait to get back in the Registix Chevrolet and see what we can do.”
—Connor Zilisch, Driver
JR Motorsports Team Achievements and Fan Activities
Since 2006, JR Motorsports has logged 55 combined Xfinity Series starts at Watkins Glen International, accumulating three wins, twelve top-five, and thirty top-10 finishes, with an overall average finish of 12.5. These results reflect the team‘s ongoing strength on road courses and at this notable New York track. Notable personalities such as Justin Allgaier, Carson Kvapil, and Sammy Smith will also engage with fans in person, attending an autograph session at the JR Motorsports / HMS-Byron/Bowman souvenir rig on August 9 from 11:50 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. ET.
The Stakes: What to Watch at The Glen
This weekend’s JR Motorsports Xfinity Watkins Glen Preview highlights a pivotal moment in the regular season, as multiple drivers are closely bunched in the standings and every point matters in the run-up to the Playoffs. With dynamic talents such as Connor Zilisch looking to repeat past success and established stars like Shane van Gisbergen and Justin Allgaier aiming for victory, the level of competition is poised to deliver excitement at every turn.
The blend of emerging young racers and championship veterans, the unique demands of the Watkins Glen circuit, and the pressure of postseason ambitions blend for a must-watch event. Fans can look forward to seeing some of the top names in the series, including personalities like Jim Pohlman and legendary references such as Tony Stewart and Jeff Gordon, all adding to the electric atmosphere surrounding this year’s race.
