The NASCAR Xfinity Series heads to Daytona International Speedway on Friday night for the Wawa 250 Powered by Coca-Cola, the 24th race of the 2025 season. A total of 39 cars appear on the preliminary entry list, meaning one driver and team will go home following qualifying. The event, run under the lights at the 2.5-mile superspeedway, comes at a critical time in the schedule as the regular season pushes into its final stretch and playoff positioning tightens.
Key Highlights
39 cars entered for Friday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series Wawa 250 at Daytona.
Only 38 cars can start, meaning one team will not qualify.
Connor Zilisch listed for JR Motorsports after Watkins Glen win, but injury casts doubt on participation.
Natalie Decker returns to racing after giving birth, driving for DGM Racing with Wawa sponsorship.
Multiple NASCAR veterans, rookies, and part-time entries highlight a competitive field.
Natalie Decker’s Return Marks a Milestone
Natalie Decker headlines the storyline heading into Daytona, as the 28-year-old makes her return to competition after giving birth to her first child in February. She will pilot the No. 92 DGM Racing Chevrolet with primary sponsorship from Wawa. Her teammate Josh Bilicki will drive the No. 91 entry, also carrying Wawa backing, giving the organization a strong sponsor presence for the superspeedway race.
DGM Racing confirmed Decker’s return with a social media announcement earlier this week, welcoming her back to competition. If she qualifies, she will join a select list of female drivers who have returned to the NASCAR National Series ranks after motherhood, including Sara Christian, Ethel Mobley, Shawna Robinson, Tina Gordon, Kelly Sutton, Alli Owens, and Jessica Friesen.
RETURN TO RACING: @NatalieRacing joins @foxandfriends to discuss her return to NASCAR after becoming a new mother six months ago pic.twitter.com/6MZXxQOgcl
— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 14, 2025
Decker’s most notable NASCAR moment came at Daytona in 2020, when she scored a fifth-place finish in the season-opening Truck Series race. In 12 career Xfinity starts, her best result was 18th, also at Daytona in the summer of 2024 while driving for DGM Racing. She led seven laps in that event, showing strength before slipping back late.
Connor Zilisch Listed, Injury Uncertain
Connor Zilisch, who claimed his first career NASCAR Xfinity Series victory at Watkins Glen two weeks ago, is listed on the entry sheet in the No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet with WeatherTech sponsorship. However, his participation remains in question after he broke his collarbone while celebrating in victory lane following that triumph. The injury could sideline him, leaving JR Motorsports with a possible driver decision as race weekend approaches.
The 19-year-old’s victory at Watkins Glen was one of the season’s biggest surprises and further cemented JR Motorsports as a powerhouse in the series. Whether Zilisch competes at Daytona will likely be a central talking point through the week.
Notable Entrants and Lineup Depth
The Wawa 250 features a balanced field of established veterans, up-and-coming prospects, and independent efforts. Aric Almirola will drive the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota with Young Life sponsorship, while Justin Haley returns to Xfinity duty in the No. 11 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet.
Patrick Emerling enters with SS-GreenLight Racing in the No. 07, while Caesar Bacarella pilots the No. 5 Alpha Prime Racing Chevrolet. Rajah Caruth takes the wheel of the No. 32 Jordan Anderson Racing Chevrolet, and Mason Maggio will compete for Joey Gase Motorsports in the No. 35 entry. Leland Honeyman joins the grid in the No. 70 Cope Family Racing Chevrolet.
Austin Hill, Carson Kvapil, and Jesse Love represent some of the younger names in the series, while veterans like Justin Allgaier, Sam Mayer, and Brandon Jones will try to capitalize on their experience at the unpredictable superspeedway.
Daytona’s drafting dynamic often allows underdogs to shine, setting the stage for potential upsets and season-defining performances. With 39 cars attempting to make the race and only 38 starting spots available, Friday night’s qualifying session will add another layer of tension.
| Entry | Car | Driver |
| 1 | 0 | Sheldon Creed |
| 2 | 7 | Patrick Emerling |
| 3 | 1 | Carson Kvapil |
| 4 | 2 | Jesse Love |
| 5 | 4 | Parker Retzlaff |
| 6 | 5 | Caesar Bacarella |
| 7 | 7 | Justin Allgaier |
| 8 | 8 | Sammy Smith |
| 9 | 10 | Daniel Dye |
| 10 | 11 | Justin Haley |
| 11 | 14 | Garrett Smithley |
| 12 | 16 | Christian Eckes |
| 13 | 18 | William Sawalich |
| 14 | 19 | Aric Almirola |
| 15 | 20 | Brandon Jones |
| 16 | 21 | Austin Hill |
| 17 | 25 | Harrison Burton |
| 18 | 26 | Dean Thompson |
| 19 | 27 | Jeb Burton |
| 20 | 28 | Kyle Sieg |
| 21 | 31 | Blaine Perkins |
| 22 | 32 | Rajah Caruth |
| 23 | 35 | Mason Maggio |
| 24 | 39 | Ryan Sieg |
| 25 | 41 | Sam Mayer |
| 26 | 42 | Anthony Alfredo |
| 27 | 44 | Brennan Poole |
| 28 | 45 | Josh Williams |
| 29 | 48 | Nick Sanchez |
| 30 | 51 | Jeremy Clements |
| 31 | 53 | Joey Gase |
| 32 | 54 | Taylor Gray |
| 33 | 70 | Leland Honeyman |
| 34 | 71 | Ryan Ellis |
| 35 | 74 | Logan Bearden |
| 36 | 88 | Connor Zilisch |
| 37 | 91 | Josh Bilicki |
| 38 | 92 | Natalie Decker |
| 39 | 99 | Matt DiBenedetto |
News in Brief: Entry List for 2025 Wawa 250
The NASCAR Xfinity Series Wawa 250 Powered by Coca-Cola at Daytona will feature 39 cars, with one driver missing the cut after qualifying. Natalie Decker returns to the track for the first time since giving birth, driving the No. 92 DGM Racing Chevrolet with Wawa sponsorship. Connor Zilisch, fresh off his Watkins Glen win, is listed to compete for JR Motorsports, though a collarbone injury leaves his status uncertain. With veteran names, emerging stars, and independents entered, Daytona promises another unpredictable night
ALSO READ: Full Entry List Revealed for Watkins Glen Xfinity Race: 38 Drivers Set to Compete
