The 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series heads to one of the sport’s most iconic venues this weekend as Daytona International Speedway prepares to host the Wawa 250. Set for Friday, August 22, the 100-lap race marks the 24th contest of the season and the final event of the regular schedule. Drivers will battle over the 2.5-mile tri-oval under the lights of Daytona Beach, Florida, with a starting lineup determined during Friday’s qualifying session that promises high-speed drama and intense competition.
Key Highlights
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The 2025 Wawa 250 is the final race of the Xfinity Series regular season at Daytona.
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Qualifying opens Friday, August 22, at 3 p.m. ET, determining the 38-driver starting lineup.
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Natalie Decker will run the first qualifying lap, while rookie Connor Zilisch takes the final lap.
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Defending race winner Ryan Truex aims to secure back-to-back victories at Daytona.
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Fans can watch the race live on CW or listen on MRN for full coverage.
Qualifying Order Revealed
Renowned NASCAR journalist Bob Pockrass shared the full qualifying order for Friday’s session on his official X handle. The session begins with part-time Xfinity driver Natalie Decker and concludes with rookie Connor Zilisch. Drivers are set to run single laps to establish their metric scores, which will determine their starting positions for the Wawa 250. The session highlights the mix of seasoned veterans and emerging talents aiming to gain an early advantage in the 250-mile contest.
Notable Starters
Leading the qualifying order is Natalie Decker with a metric score of 42.2, followed by Caesar Bacarella (40.1) and Garrett Smithley (37.1). Leland Honeyman and Patrick Emerling round out the top five. Established drivers such as Matt DiBenedetto, Anthony Alfredo, and Aric Almirola are positioned in the top ten, setting the stage for a competitive race. Defending winner Ryan Truex will start further back in the lineup but remains a contender to reclaim his victory at Daytona.
| S.No | Driver | Score |
| 1 | Natalie Decker | 42.2 |
| 2 | Caesar Bacarella | 40.1 |
| 3 | Garrett Smithley | 37.1 |
| 4 | Leland Honeyman | 35.8 |
| 5 | Patrick Emerling (i) | 33.1 |
| 6 | Matt DiBenedetto | 30.6 |
| 7 | Anthony Alfredo | 29.6 |
| 8 | Ryan Ellis | 29.3 |
| 9 | Kyle Sieg | 29.1 |
| 10 | Aric Almirola | 28.8 |
| 11 | Josh Bilicki | 28.5 |
| 12 | Sheldon Creed | 27.2 |
| 13 | Mason Maggio | 26.7 |
| 14 | Joey Gase | 25.1 |
| 15 | William Sawalich # | 25.1 |
| 16 | Blaine Perkins | 24.5 |
| 17 | Ryan Sieg | 24.1 |
| 18 | Justin Haley (i) | 23.8 |
| 19 | Josh Williams | 23.5 |
| 20 | Parker Retzlaff | 23.2 |
| 21 | Nick Sanchez # | 20.7 |
| 22 | Daniel Dye # | 17.3 |
| 23 | Jeremy Clements | 17.1 |
| 24 | Rajah Caruth (i) | 15.7 |
| 25 | Taylor Gray # | 15.6 |
| 26 | Jeb Burton | 15.4 |
| 27 | Brennan Poole | 14.4 |
| 28 | Dean Thompson | 14.2 |
| 29 | Jesse Love | 11 |
| 30 | Christian Eckes # | 10.4 |
| 31 | Harrison Burton | 10.3 |
| 32 | Brandon Jones | 8.7 |
| 33 | Carson Kvapil # | 5.3 |
| 34 | Justin Allgaier | 4.8 |
| 35 | Austin Hill | 4.3 |
| 36 | Sammy Smith | 4.2 |
| 37 | Sam Mayer | 2.3 |
| 38 | Connor Zilisch # | 1 |
Rising Drivers to Watch
The Wawa 250 also showcases emerging stars in the Xfinity Series. Rookies and part-time drivers including Connor Zilisch, William Sawalich, and Parker Retzlaff have the opportunity to make a statement during qualifying and the main event. Veterans like Sheldon Creed, Justin Haley, and Josh Williams will navigate the high-speed pack, balancing strategy and aggression as they seek playoff implications. Fans can expect tight racing, strategic drafting, and potential surprises from unexpected contenders.
News in Brief: 2025 Wawa 250 Qualifying Order
The 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series Wawa 250 takes place at Daytona International Speedway on Friday, August 22, featuring 38 drivers over 100 laps. Qualifying begins at 3 p.m. ET with Natalie Decker starting first and Connor Zilisch running the final lap. Defending winner Ryan Truex will attempt a consecutive victory. Key starters include Caesar Bacarella, Garrett Smithley, and Matt DiBenedetto. Fans can watch the action live on CW or listen via MRN. Tune in to see emerging talents and seasoned drivers battle for position in this regular-season finale.
ALSO READ: Natalie Decker Headlines 39-Car Entry List for Wawa 250 at Daytona
