At the Xfinity Series Blue Cross NC 250 qualifying round at Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course on Saturday, JR Motorsports set a significant milestone by placing its drivers in each of the top five starting positions for the first time in any organization’s history. Connor Zilisch led this dominant show by capturing his eighth pole of the season, in what promises to intensify the championship battle.
JR Motorsports Achieves Historic Qualifying Sweep
The headlines following Saturday’s qualifying session revolved around JR Motorsports, which accomplished an unprecedented feat by filling all five top starting spots for the upcoming Xfinity Series Blue Cross NC 250. This achievement eclipsed even the impressive performance of regular season champion Connor Zilisch, who secured pole with a blazing lap of 96.503 mph—outpacing Justin Allgaier by nearly half a second.
Zilisch’s run marked his eighth pole position in 2025, underlining his status at the forefront of the season. He had already demonstrated strong pace by topping the practice charts with a 95.918 mph lap, strengthening JR Motorsports’ commanding presence. The organization’s ability to place five drivers at the top starting slots raises the competitive stakes for their rivals and underscores their technical and strategic prowess.
“That’s 8 #XfinitySeries poles for @ConnorZilisch in 2025.
It’s the most since @KyleBusch & @Erik_Jones had 9 each in 2016. pic.twitter.com/WG33ljTsbY
— Xfinity Racing (@XfinityRacing) October 4, 2025”
Playoff Standings Create Tight Competition Among Series Drivers
The excitement was not limited to the front of the field; the playoff picture remains incredibly close among series drivers. With three of the advanced positions already claimed heading into the event, Nicholas Sanchez—currently in ninth overall and just five points shy of the crucial cutoff—stands at the center of a heated battle. Four pilots, including Sanchez, are packed within 16 points of the pivotal fifth playoff position. This leaves little margin for error in the high-stakes pursuit of a Round of 8 berth.
Notable names advancing to the third round include Brandon Jones, Zilisch, and Justin Allgaier, while Sam Mayer maintains a 43-point cushion, giving him a solid chance to progress. Other contenders with slimmer leads such as Taylor Gray, Sheldon Creed, Carson Kvapil, and Jesse Love are closely packed near the advancing margin. Conversely, Austin Hill, Harrison Burton, and Sammy Smith—all trailing Sanchez—face an urgent need for strong results to close the gap.
“The battle at the bubble is tight.
Only five points currently separate @jesselovejr1 and @Nicksanchez080 for the final spot in the Round of 8. pic.twitter.com/eQlCar5CWk
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) October 2, 2025”
Full Starting Order for Blue Cross NC 250
The starting lineup for the Xfinity Series Blue Cross NC 250, set on Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course, features a mix of proven contenders and emerging talents. JR Motorsports’ sweep is reflected in the top five: Connor Zilisch (No. 88 Chevrolet), Justin Allgaier (No. 7 Chevrolet), Connor Mosack (No. 9 Chevrolet), Sammy Smith (No. 8 Chevrolet), and Carson Kvapil (No. 1 Chevrolet) anchor the front of the grid.
Here’s the complete starting lineup for the event:
1. Connor Zilisch, No. 88 Chevrolet
2. Justin Allgaier, No. 7 Chevrolet
3. Connor Mosack, No. 9 Chevrolet
4. Sammy Smith, No. 8 Chevrolet
5. Carson Kvapil, No. 1 Chevrolet
6. Corey Day, No. 17 Chevrolet
7. Sam Mayer, No. 41 Ford
8. Jesse Love, No. 2 Chevrolet
9. Kaz Grala, No. 24 Toyota
10. Austin Green, No. 87 Chevrolet
11. Aric Almirola, No. 19 Toyota
12. Brennan Poole, No. 44 Chevrolet
13. Sheldon Creed, No. 00 Ford
14. Nicholas Sanchez, No. 48 Chevrolet
15. William Sawalich, No. 18 Toyota
16. Austin Hill, No. 21 Chevrolet
17. Taylor Gray, No. 54 Toyota
18. Christian Eckes, No. 16 Chevrolet
19. Preston Pardus, No. 50 Chevrolet
20. Matt DiBenedetto, No. 99 Chevrolet
21. Alex Labbe, No. 07 Chevrolet
22. Ryan Sieg, No. 39 Ford
23. Brandon Jones, No. 20 Toyota
24. Josh Bilicki, No. 91 Chevrolet
25. Sage Karam, No. 53 Toyota
26. Parker Retzlaff, No. 4 Chevrolet
27. Daniel Hemric, No. 11 Chevrolet
28. Harrison Burton, No. 25 Ford
29. Ryan Ellis, No. 71 Chevrolet
30. Jeb Burton, No. 27 Chevrolet
31. Leland Honeyman, No. 92 Chevrolet
32. Josh Williams, No. 45 Chevrolet
33. Dean Thompson, No. 26 Toyota
34. Anthony Alfredo, No. 42 Chevrolet
35. Blaine Perkins, No. 31 Chevrolet
36. Jeremy Clements, No. 51 Chevrolet
37. Kyle Sieg, No. 28 Ford
38. Daniel Dye, No. 10 Chevrolet
39. Garrett Smithley, No. 14 Chevrolet
40. Thomas Annunziata, No. 70 Chevrolet
41. Austin J. Hill, No. 35 Chevrolet
42. Andrew Patterson, No. 32 Chevrolet
“Ready to rock the @CLTMotorSpdwy ROVAL! 🎸 pic.twitter.com/LfMgQKhOb2
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) October 4, 2025”
Key individuals such as pilots Connor Mosack, Sammy Smith, and Jesse Love represent both experienced and up-and-coming talent. Elsewhere in the field are series drivers like Harrison Burton, Thomas Annunziata, Matt DiBenedetto, Carson Kvapil, Ryan Sieg, Daniel Hemric, Aric Almirola, and Sage Karam, all seeking to make a mark on the road course at Charlotte.
The lineup also displays variety in manufacturers, with Chevrolet, Toyota, and Ford each featuring multiple entries throughout the grid. Team organizations such as JR Motorsports, Blue Cross, and NASCAR itself are notable presences in the Xfinity Series, further illustrating the event’s depth.
The cumulative events of the qualifying session reinforce the high stakes and unpredictability that define this phase of the NASCAR season. With the Xfinity Series Blue Cross NC 250 looming and playoff spots hanging in the balance, drivers and organizations alike remain under pressure to perform, setting the stage for an intense contest at Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course.
That's 8 #XfinitySeries poles for @ConnorZilisch in 2025.
It's the most since @KyleBusch & @Erik_Jones had 9 each in 2016. pic.twitter.com/WG33ljTsbY
— Xfinity Racing (@XfinityRacing) October 4, 2025
The battle at the bubble is tight.
Only five points currently separate @jesselovejr1 and @Nicksanchez080 for the final spot in the Round of 8. pic.twitter.com/eQlCar5CWk
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) October 2, 2025
Ready to rock the @CLTMotorSpdwy ROVAL! 🎸 pic.twitter.com/LfMgQKhOb2
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) October 4, 2025
