Connor Zilisch continued his dominant performance in the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series playoffs by clinching his tenth victory of the season during the Blue Cross NC 250 at Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval on Saturday, solidifying his place as the top contender as the playoff field narrows. With the drama of the elimination race resolving the final field for the next stage, the spotlight remains on the Connor Zilisch Xfinity Series playoffs campaign as the championship battle intensifies.
Zilisch Secures Tenth Win in High-Stakes Elimination Race
Saturday’s race at Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval closed out the first round of the Xfinity Series postseason, intensifying competition among series drivers. Zilisch, representing JR Motorsports, notched his tenth victory, further establishing his streak this season and his position atop the playoff leaderboard.
The elimination race determined which eight drivers would continue their pursuit of the NASCAR Xfinity Series championship. This year’s opening playoff round featured notable wins from Aric Almirola at Bristol Motor Speedway and Brandon Jones at Kansas Speedway, adding to the competitive landscape.
Creed and Kvapil Claim Final Spots as Playoff Field Is Set
No new winner emerged from below the cut line at Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval, which left Sheldon Creed and Carson Kvapil, who finished 11th and 15th in the event, occupying the final two available spots for the next round. The closing laps delivered added suspense, as a caution flag flew on the final circuit, prompting an official review of the running order for advancing drivers.
Following NASCAR’s review, it was determined that Sammy Smith, who competes alongside key names like Taylor Gray and Nick Sanchez, would proceed to the semi-finals, narrowly edging out Taylor Gray by a single point. The four drivers who saw their championship hopes end in this round were Nick Sanchez, Taylor Gray, Austin Hill, and Harrison Burton, all of whom remain significant figures in the series but will not advance this year.
Smith expressed his feelings about advancing to the next round, stating:
“I’m just excited to go try to race for a championship and put ourselves in position to make the final four.”
– Sammy Smith
Overview of Semi-Finalists in the 2025 Playoff Grid
With just eight Xfinity Series drivers remaining, Connor Zilisch holds the top seed entering the next playoff segment, having delivered a breakout season and accumulating a series-leading collection of wins. The semi-final round features a mix of seasoned competitors and emerging talent.
JR Motorsports continues to play a pivotal role, with Zilisch leading the field. Other advancing drivers include Sammy Smith, Jesse Love, Sheldon Creed, and Carson Kvapil. Of these, Jesse Love, Sammy Smith, Carson Kvapil, and Sheldon Creed currently trail the cut-off line for the Championship 4, setting up an intense showdown in the coming races.
The eight drivers still in contention for the 2025 Xfinity Series playoffs are distinguished by their resilience throughout the season and their performances in elimination rounds. This next phase of the championship is expected to further test the skills and resolve of all competitors.
Xfinity Playoffs Move to Las Vegas for the Next Chapter
The playoff action continues next week at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, where the Focused Health 302 will serve as the fourth race in the 2025 postseason and signal the start of the semi-final round. Scheduled for Saturday, October 11 at 7:30 pm ET, the event promises to challenge drivers such as Connor Zilisch, Carson Kvapil, Sammy Smith, and Sheldon Creed as they chase a place in the Championship 4.
This stage of the playoffs will be closely watched by fans and insiders, as each race now holds heightened significance and the battle for the championship intensifies. The performance of drivers like Zilisch and Smith will be under particular scrutiny, with organizations such as JR Motorsports and Hendrick Motorsports looking to secure further success in this high-stakes phase of the NASCAR season.
The unfolding playoff storylines, from dramatic near-misses to decisive victories, are set to keep NASCAR’s Xfinity Series at the center of attention both on and off the track. As the championship hunt progresses, every point and every finish counts for the drivers still in contention.
Only eight remain. #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/p1YFHWBvLX
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) October 4, 2025
