Connor Zilisch Xfinity Pole Portland headlines a busy qualifying event at Portland International Raceway, where Zilisch secured the top starting spot for the NASCAR Xfinity Series race, clocking 96.648 mph. As Zilisch seeks a third consecutive victory, the spotlight turns to the front row showdown and the ongoing momentum of top competitors in the field.
Zilisch Leads the Field After Fast Qualifying Session
Securing his sixth pole position of the current season and the seventh in his NASCAR Xfinity Series career, Connor Zilisch continues an impressive performance streak. This pole follows recent on-track success and positions him well as he aims for another win, despite Parker Kligerman’s dramatic appearance at Daytona International Speedway, where Kligerman took the checkered flag but was not credited with the official victory after entering during the first caution.
Joining Zilisch at the front is Justin Allgaier, creating an all-JR Motorsports front row. The top five qualifiers include Austin Hill in third, William Sawalich—fresh from his ARCA Menards Series West victory on Friday—in fourth, and Sam Mayer finishing out the group.
Competitive Field and Early Drama in Qualifying
Positions six to ten on the starting grid go to Alon Day, Nick Sanchez, Sammy Smith, Carson Kvapil, and Jesse Love. The qualifying session brought its share of incidents early on. Within the first few minutes of group A, a red flag came out after Thomas Annunziata’s car stopped on track, bringing immediate attention to the session’s challenges. Around the same time, Jack Perkins slid off in a troublesome section between turns 10, 11, and 12, echoing difficulties encountered during earlier practice runs.
Annunziata’s team had to address a transmission issue to get the car back on track. Taylor Gray’s vehicle also experienced problems related to fuel, with his crew inspecting under the hood following practice. Nevertheless, Gray rejoined qualifying with about five minutes remaining in his group’s session.
Will Brown’s No. 11 machine needed mechanical repairs in the garage, meaning he and Annunziata will both start from the back of the field. With 37 cars entered, every driver made the race lineup.
What to Expect in the Upcoming Race
The NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Portland International Raceway, known as the Pacific Office Automation 147, is set for broadcast at 7:30 p.m. ET on The CW network. Fans will be watching closely as Zilisch looks to turn his pole advantage into another victory, with strong competition from drivers like Justin Allgaier, Sam Mayer, and William Sawalich. The strong presence of teams such as JR Motorsports and notable drivers like Nick Sanchez and Austin Hill reinforces the event’s competitive edge following a challenging qualifying session in Portland.
As the green flag approaches, the unpredictable conditions and high-profile lineup promise a compelling contest, where Connor Zilisch and his rivals strive for victory in a crowded field.
