Anticipation runs high as JR Motorsports prepares for Friday night’s thrilling NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Daytona International Speedway, with drivers Connor Zilisch, Justin Allgaier, Carson Kvapil, and Sammy Smith all looking to capitalize on their momentum. The JR Motorsports Daytona NXS Preview spotlights their recent achievements and outlines each competitor’s bid to secure a crucial victory as the regular season nears its close.
Carson Kvapil Returns to Daytona Hungry for Success
Carson Kvapil will make just his second NASCAR Xfinity Series start at Daytona International Speedway this Friday night, piloting the No. 1 Jarrett Chevrolet. In his debut outing on this iconic superspeedway earlier in the season, Kvapil impressed with a fourth-place finish, marking his first top-five result of the 2025 campaign. As the season intensifies, Kvapil stands 6th in the points, with an average finish of 13.8 in his 23 starts, five top-fives, and ten top-10s, alongside 64 laps led so far.
Though wins have eluded him in 2025, Kvapil has steadily built a strong reputation, especially on larger tracks of two miles or greater, where he has notched one top-five and three top-10s in just seven starts. His best finish among drafting tracks—Daytona, Talladega Superspeedway, and Atlanta Motor Speedway—occurred at Atlanta with a second-place run last June. Heading into Friday’s race under the lights, Kvapil’s No. 1 team looks to Jarrett, a recognized leader in 3PL services, for continued support.
“It was nice to have a weekend off to recharge, but this No. 1 team is ready to go at Daytona this weekend. We had a lot of success there earlier this season and I feel as though we have learned a lot since then, so I know we will unload a fast Chevrolet on Friday. There are only a few more races left in the regular season, so we are putting in the work to make sure our Jarrett Chevrolet is up front at the end when it counts.”
—Carson Kvapil, Driver
Justin Allgaier Eyes Another Daytona Triumph
Justin Allgaier, behind the wheel of the No. 7 Hellmann’s / Round Canopy Parachuting Team Chevrolet, enters Daytona with a formidable record. Allgaier sits second in the points with 23 starts in 2025, boasting three wins, 11 top-fives, and 14 top-10s, alongside 689 laps led and an average finish of 12.9.
Daytona International Speedway has been a special venue for Allgaier. He captured victory in the intense summer event at The World Center of Racing in 2023, earning the win in a dramatic photo finish. Across his 29 NXS starts at Daytona, he has amassed eight top-fives and 14 top-10s. Notably, Allgaier has led at least one lap in the last six Daytona events, a streak stretching back to 2022. This weekend, his No. 7 car pays tribute to Thomas “Tommy” Harvey, a pilot for the Round Canopy Parachuting Team who was instrumental to the squad prior to his passing, as part of a memorable livery that honors Harvey’s legacy.
“Anything can happen at Daytona. It’s such an unpredictable race where you can go from the lead to the back of the pack in a split second. JRM has always built some incredible speedway cars and I know we are going to have another fast one on Friday night. Hopefully we can avoid any potential trouble out there and work well with our teammates to be up front and fighting for the win when it counts. It’s great to also be carrying the Round Canopy Parachuting Team logos once again on board our Hellmann’s Chevrolet. We’ve had great luck with them in the past, and my goal is to replicate that again this weekend.”
—Justin Allgaier, Driver
Sammy Smith Honors Cancer Heroes at Daytona
For the seventh time in his NASCAR Xfinity Series career, Sammy Smith will tackle Daytona International Speedway, driving the No. 8 Pilot Chevrolet. Smith brings solid 2025 results with 23 starts, one win (at Talladega), four top-fives, and twelve top-10s, averaging a finish of 14.1 and finishing tenth in points. His experience on tracks two miles or longer includes one win, two top-fives, and six top-10s over 20 career starts, underscoring his adaptability and resilience.
This weekend, Smith joins a heartfelt initiative organized by The Martin Truex Jr. Foundation and The NASCAR Foundation, honoring two cancer heroes on the name rails of his Pilot Chevrolet. One of those names is Carolyn Barsetti Malsam, Smith’s great aunt, bringing personal significance to his pursuit of victory at Daytona.
“Daytona is a unique track. You never know what’s going to happen so it really is anyone’s race and with the Playoffs so close, we have to be strategic to stay out of the big wrecks. Having the off-week has been nice to be able to prepare and focus on our Daytona package to get this No. 8 Pilot Chevrolet up front when it counts.”
—Sammy Smith, Driver
Connor Zilisch Leads the Field Heading Into Daytona
Connor Zilisch enters Daytona as the points leader in the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series standings and as the driver of the No. 88 WeatherTech Chevrolet. Zilisch’s campaign has been remarkable: in 22 starts, he has collected an impressive six wins, 12 top-fives, 14 top-10s, and led 547 laps, with an average finish of 9.5.
Zilisch arrives at Daytona following back-to-back victories at Watkins Glen International, where he led eight times for 60 laps, securing his second straight win at the historic New York road course. His recent surge puts him seven points ahead of teammate Allgaier in the driver championship and gives the No. 88 crew a 56-point margin in the owner standings. Zilisch’s consistency has been on full display, with an 11-race streak of top-five finishes dating back to May at Charlotte Motor Speedway—the streak includes five wins at premier venues like Pocono, Sonoma, Dover, Indianapolis, and Watkins Glen.
“I’m looking forward to getting down to Daytona this weekend with our WeatherTech Chevrolet. Mardy (Lindley, crew chief) and everyone on this JRM team have been working really hard through the off weekend to get us ready to go. We’ve got a good plan in place and I’m ready to get back to the track.”
—Connor Zilisch, Driver
Team Updates: Achievements and Community Initiatives
JR Motorsports has established a formidable presence at Daytona International Speedway, with 120 starts in the NXS since 2006. Over that stretch, the organization has secured eight wins, 30 top-fives, and 47 top-10s, with an average finish of 16.2, highlighting JR Motorsports’ consistent strength at this superspeedway.
On race day, fans will have the opportunity to meet Carson Kvapil, Justin Allgaier, and Sammy Smith during an autograph session at the JR Motorsports / HMS-Byron/Bowman souvenir rig, scheduled for Friday, August 22, from 1:30 to 2:00 p.m. ET. This event fosters direct engagement between top-tier drivers and their supporters as excitement peaks ahead of the night race.
Further emphasizing community and humanitarian efforts, the Martin Truex Jr. Foundation and The NASCAR Foundation will see several cancer heroes—such as Mike Frank, Ric Bauman, Stephanie Kearns, Pilot John Hixon, Carolyn Barsetti Malsam, and Brandon Malcom—honored on the name rails of JR Motorsports’ vehicles. These tributes create meaningful connections between the racing world and those battling cancer, highlighting the team’s commitment beyond performance.
What Friday Night Could Mean for JR Motorsports
With the NASCAR Xfinity Series approaching the climax of the regular season, Friday night’s event at Daytona International Speedway carries heightened stakes for JR Motorsports and its roster. As Zilisch aims to extend his championship lead, Allgaier targets another summer triumph, while Kvapil and Smith look to convert recent progress into a signature win. Honors for cancer heroes, special tributes, and a determined push toward the playoffs all combine for a night rich in storylines and emotion as JR Motorsports looks to etch another chapter in its storied history at Daytona.
