Brandon Jones demonstrated formidable long-run speed to capture the Xfinity Series Playoff win at Kansas Speedway on Saturday, holding off the persistent efforts of Connor Zilisch. Jones’ victory marked the second consecutive Playoff triumph for Toyota and Joe Gibbs Racing, ensuring his advancement into the Round of 8. This win follows teammate Aric Almirola‘s recent achievement at Bristol, positioning both drivers securely in the next stage of the post-season battle. The performance at Kansas underscores Joe Gibbs Racing’s momentum as the Playoffs intensify.
Allgaier Leads Early, But Pit Road Error Alters Outcome
Justin Allgaier of JR Motorsports was dominant in the initial stages, sweeping both early segments of the race. However, a crucial mistake during the opening pit stop of the final segment pushed him back to sixth place, significantly damaging his prospects for the win. With passing opportunities limited due to Kansas Speedway’s top racing groove never fully developing, track position became even more critical. Allgaier ultimately finished 13th, missing the opportunity to capitalize on his early speed, but his point advantage kept him above the cutoff line for the Round of 8 as the series heads to the Charlotte Roval next week.
Connor Zilisch Sets New Xfinity Top-Five Streak Record
Teammate Connor Zilisch advanced his remarkable streak with a second-place finish at Kansas, maintaining his position well over 100 points above the elimination threshold. Zilisch, who took the lead on the restart at the start of the final stage, found himself unsettled after adjustments but managed to cling onto second place despite concerns with the car’s handling. His consistency in finishing within the top five has now reached 16 consecutive races, surpassing Sam Ard’s long-standing 1984 record and underlining Zilisch’s explosive rookie campaign and significant contribution to the JR Motorsports organization.
“My pit crew did an awesome job,”
Zilisch said to The CW Sports.
“We did a great job all day long in a car that I didn’t think was winning capable.”
– Connor Zilisch, Driver
Race Standings Reshuffled As Playoff Battle Tightens
Austin Hill made a notable comeback from the penalty that left him without Playoff points, reducing his deficit to the cutline by nine points with a third-place finish. Despite this improvement, Hill now finds himself positioned 10th among the 12 remaining Playoff contenders and sits seven points below the threshold as the series approaches the Charlotte Roval.
Sammy Smith reached as high as third and finished fourth, outpacing Sheldon Creed and Taylor Gray. Jesse Love overcame an early pit stop mistake to secure seventh overall, just ahead of Nicholas Sanchez. Brenden Queen, participating in only his second Xfinity Series event, was the highest-placed non-Playoff driver in ninth spot, fresh off his ARCA series win at the same venue on Friday night. Behind Allgaier in 13th were Carson Kvapil and Sam Mayer, who finished 15th and 16th, respectively. Harrison Burton endured a tough outing, ending 20th and a lap behind the leaders—the lowest finish among Playoff drivers.
Zilisch’s Momentum Reflected in Recent Successes
Zilisch’s performance in Kansas continues a dominant trajectory. He recently clinched the Xfinity regular season championship and victory in the finale, notched a standout rookie win in Portland, and saw Parker Kligerman fill in for him with a win at Daytona—further reinforcing the depth of talent at JR Motorsports and the No. 88 team. Throughout this ongoing campaign, every member of the team, including Zilisch’s pit crew, has played a vital role in supporting his pursuit of records and post-season advancement.
What’s Ahead As Playoffs Move to Charlotte Roval
The results at Kansas set the stage for next week’s event at Charlotte Roval, where the pressure will mount for drivers hovering near the cutline. Jones and Almirola are already secure for the Round of 8, while Zilisch’s ongoing playoff streak remains one of the central storylines. With the competitive field seeking to avoid elimination, the Charlotte Roval promises further intensity and high-stakes racing as the Xfinity Series Playoffs progress.
