The night in St. Louis carried its own drama as the NASCAR Xfinity Series regular season closed with a fierce fight. Under the lights at World Wide Technology Raceway, 38 drivers took the green flag for the Nu Way 200. With playoff spots hanging in the balance, pressure weighed heavy across the grid. By the time the checkered flag fell, one driver not only sealed victory but also his place as the season’s regular-season champion in his rookie year.
Key Highlights
Connor Zilisch scored his ninth win of the 2025 season at Gateway.
Race featured eight lead changes among five different drivers.
Six cautions slowed the 160-lap event under the lights.
Zilisch led 121 laps from the pole, securing the regular-season championship.
William Sawalich finished runner-up for the second consecutive race.
Connor Zilisch Dominates From Start to Finish
Connor Zilisch’s rise in the Xfinity Series has been swift and commanding, and the Nu Way 200 only added to his growing reputation. Driving the No. 88 Chevrolet for JR Motorsports, the 19-year-old started from pole and led a race-high 121 of 160 laps.
His decisive move came with 12 laps remaining, when he passed Aric Almirola for the final time and never looked back. Crossing the finish line 1.506 seconds ahead of William Sawalich, Zilisch captured his ninth win of the season and clinched the regular-season title in his first full campaign.
Sawalich and Eckes Round Out the Podium
For William Sawalich, consistency has become both a strength and a frustration. He scored his second straight runner-up finish, again proving his pace but still searching for that elusive win.
Christian Eckes secured third, showing steady form on the Gateway oval. Brandon Jones and Jesse Love completed the top five, each putting together strong nights in the season’s 26th race.
While Aric Almirola slipped to sixth after leading late, his presence at the front added to the tension in a race marked by lead changes and strategy swings.
Xfinity race results from WWTR Gateway: pic.twitter.com/CYPOKntMQ9
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) September 7, 2025
Cautions and Mid-Pack Battles
The two-hour, twelve-minute, and thirty-two-second event featured six cautions, each shaking up the order and testing drivers’ ability to adjust. Daniel Hemric and Parker Retzlaff finished seventh and eighth, respectively, while Corey Day and Daniel Dye secured spots inside the top 10.
Deeper in the field, Matt DiBenedetto placed 11th, just ahead of Austin Hill in 12th. Anthony Alfredo, Brennan Poole, and Jeremy Clements each battled through the pack for mid-tier finishes, with Dean Thompson, Taylor Gray, and Ryan Ellis rounding out the top 20.
Full Race Results
| Car | Driver |
| 88 | Connor Zilisch |
| 18 | William Sawalich |
| 16 | Christian Eckes |
| 20 | Brandon Jones |
| 2 | Jesse Love |
| 19 | Aric Almirola |
| 11 | Daniel Hemric |
| 4 | Parker Retzlaff |
| 17 | Corey Day |
| 10 | Daniel Dye |
| 99 | Matt DiBenedetto |
| 21 | Austin Hill |
| 42 | Anthony Alfredo |
| 44 | Brennan Poole |
| 51 | Jeremy Clements |
| 26 | Dean Thompson |
| 54 | Taylor Gray |
| 71 | Ryan Ellis |
| 45 | Lavar Scott |
| 70 | Thomas Annunziata |
| 91 | Matt Mills |
| 25 | Harrison Burton |
| 31 | Blaine Perkins |
| 28 | Kyle Sieg |
| 48 | Nick Sanchez |
| 53 | Joey Gase |
| 39 | Ryan Sieg |
| 7 | Justin Allgaier |
| 7 | Nick Leitz |
| 0 | Sheldon Creed |
| 35 | Glen Reen |
| 14 | Garrett Smithley |
| 8 | Sammy Smith |
| 76 | Kole Raz |
| 41 | Sam Mayer |
| 27 | Jeb Burton |
| 1 | Carson Kvapil |
| 32 | Jordan Anderson |
News in Brief: 2025 Xfinity Series Full Results at WWTR
The 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series Nu Way 200 ended with Connor Zilisch claiming his ninth win of the season and the regular-season championship after leading 121 of 160 laps at Gateway. William Sawalich placed second for the second straight race, with Christian Eckes, Brandon Jones, and Jesse Love completing the top five. Six cautions and eight lead changes shaped the two-hour event. The series now heads to Bristol Motor Speedway on September 13 for the playoff opener.
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