With the JR Motorsports Kansas Speedway Preview in full focus, drivers Carson Kvapil, Justin Allgaier, Sammy Smith, and Connor Zilisch gear up for a critical NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs weekend on the 1.5-mile oval. The team, full of energy and determination, is set to attack Saturday’s event after recent successes and strong season performances have elevated expectations heading into Kansas.
Carson Kvapil Set to Make First Kansas Xfinity Appearance
Carson Kvapil, the No. 1 Bass Pro Shops / Clarience Technologies Chevrolet driver, enters the Kansas event following a top-five finish at Bristol Motor Speedway. This marks his first NASCAR Xfinity Series start at Kansas Speedway, having previously raced here in the ARCA Menards Series in 2023, where he qualified third and finished second. Kvapil, a rookie at just 22 years old, has four prior starts on standard 1.5-mile tracks in the Xfinity Series, with his best result of tenth at Homestead earlier this season.
Kvapil currently sits fourth in the playoff standings, 16 points above the elimination cutline. He aims to leverage momentum from Bristol, staying consistent as he faces his Kansas debut in this series. He commented on the team’s approach and their collective goals for the weekend:
“This No. 1 team has brought fast cars to the mile-and-a-half tracks this year, we just don’t have the finishes to show for it. We took the off-weekend to recharge, prepare and plan to continue on with our momentum from Bristol to get one step closer to moving on into the Round of 8. We need to stay consistent and will keep chasing that win for Johnny Morris and everyone at Bass Pro Shops and Clarience Technologies.”
– Carson Kvapil, Driver
Justin Allgaier Poised to Advance Playoff Hopes
Justin Allgaier, behind the wheel of the No. 7 BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet, retains second in the points, holding a strong 53-point buffer over the playoff cutline with two remaining races in this round. Allgaier’s 2025 stats are impressive: 27 starts, three victories, 12 top-fives, and 16 top-ten finishes. Notably, he has led 818 laps so far this season and averaged a 12.9 finish.
On the Kansas Speedway circuit, Allgaier has significant experience, making 15 Xfinity Series starts with four top-fives and 10 top-tens; his best Kansas result was a runner-up finish in 2022. Two of Allgaier’s three wins this year have come on 1.5-mile tracks—Las Vegas and Homestead—demonstrating his proficiency on similar ovals. Over his career on tracks measuring between one and two miles, Allgaier has amassed 16 wins, 89 top-five results, and 161 top-tens, underlining his consistency and expertise.
Heading into Kansas, Allgaier remains optimistic about his team’s chances:
“We’ve been really close at Kansas in the past and I know that Jim (Pohlman, crew chief) and everyone on this BRANDT Professional Agriculture team are going to give me a great car this weekend that will be capable of running up front. We had a really solid run to kick off these playoffs at Bristol and if we can just keep executing that way in Kansas, we should find ourselves in a really great spot to move on to the next round.”
– Justin Allgaier, Driver
Sammy Smith Strives for Points Recovery at Kansas
Sammy Smith, representing the No. 8 TMC Transportation Chevrolet, heads into his fourth Kansas Xfinity Series start after a short playoff break. The Iowa native’s best Xfinity finish at Kansas to date is eighth, achieved in 2022. He also earned a podium (third place) in the ARCA Menards Series at this circuit. Smith’s 2025 tally includes one win, five top-fives, 13 top-tens, and an average finish of 15.5, currently placing him 12th in the standings.
At Kansas, Smith’s sponsorship will feature both TMC Transportation and CMC, the Dallas-based steel fabricating and recycling company, with a nationwide presence. He views the upcoming race as an opportunity to climb in points and recover from earlier setbacks:
“I’m ready to get back on track with my No. 8 TMC Transportation team. It was good to have a weekend off, especially in the playoffs when the pressure is at an all-time high. We have some ground to make up in the points, but it’s nothing this team can’t overcome.”
– Sammy Smith, Driver
Connor Zilisch Maintains Points Lead and Sets Sights on Kansas
Connor Zilisch, piloting the No. 88 Carolina Carports Chevrolet, continues his remarkable rookie season, entering Kansas as the current Xfinity Series points leader. Zilisch enjoys a 32-point advantage over teammate Allgaier and is a significant 82 points above the cutoff, having held the lead for three consecutive races. The No. 88 squad also leads the team owner standings by 37 points.
Zilisch brings momentum from a strong outing at Bristol Motor Speedway, where he led 98 laps—his eighth time leading the most laps in a race this season—and posted the best average running position. He will make his second Kansas Xfinity Series start, having finished fourth in his debut here last September. Additionally, he collected a runner-up finish at Kansas in the ARCA series.
With nine victories in 26 starts this year, including seven wins over the last nine races, Zilisch has set the rookie wins record. The driver from Mooresville, North Carolina, is excited for what’s ahead:
“Kansas is one of my favorite tracks. You’re up on the fence and it’s just a unique racetrack with low banking, low grip and it races really well. There are a lot of different ways you can go around that track and that definitely makes it one of the more unique racetracks that we go to. We were able to cleanly get through Bristol and I think we’re in a good spot heading to Kansas this weekend.”
– Connor Zilisch, Driver
JR Motorsports Team Achievements and Fan Engagement at Kansas
JR Motorsports has established a strong presence at Kansas Speedway since their first appearance in 2006. Over 61 starts at the 1.5-mile oval, the team has accumulated one victory, 17 top-five results, 36 top-tens, and an overall average finish of 13.4. The organization’s performance highlights its consistency and capability to contend for wins at this venue.
Fans will have the chance to meet their favorite drivers, as Carson Kvapil, Justin Allgaier, Sammy Smith, and Connor Zilisch are scheduled for an autograph session at the JR Motorsports / HMS-Byron/Bowman souvenir area on Saturday, September 27, between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m. CT. This adds an interactive and exciting element for supporters attending the race weekend.
High Stakes and Lasting Impact as Playoffs Continue
The upcoming event at Kansas Speedway represents a crucial opportunity for JR Motorsports drivers as the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs intensify. With drivers spread across the standings, from Zilisch’s dominant rookie campaign to Kvapil’s rapid ascent and Allgaier’s veteran consistency, each competitor carries unique momentum and aspirations into the race. Strategic execution at Kansas will determine not only advancement in the playoffs but also shape the championship picture heading deeper into the postseason. The team, sponsors like Bass Pro Shops, BRANDT Professional Agriculture, Clarience Technologies, TMC Transportation, CMC, and Carolina Carports, and countless fans all await what promises to be a compelling chapter in JR Motorsports’ 2025 campaign.
