Connor Zilisch continued his standout season in the NASCAR Xfinity Series by achieving another victory at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL on October 4, further solidifying his status as the driver to beat. This win, a key highlight in his ongoing Connor Zilisch Xfinity Series domination, saw Zilisch lead the majority of the race, while playoff positions and advancing hopes hung in the balance for several competitors chasing a spot in the Round of 8.
Zilisch’s Commanding Drive Stuns Charlotte Crowd
The race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway began with two main questions—whether any driver could halt the success of rookie phenomenon and road course expert Connor Zilisch, and which of the drivers below the playoff cutline would break through to keep their championship dreams alive. Entering the event as the favorite, Zilisch delivered a performance that affirmed his reputation, dominating 61 of the 68 laps and creating insurmountable leads after every restart. Racing for JR Motorsports in his Chevrolet, the 19-year-old faced little resistance and handled every challenge with composure, quickly establishing a wide gap over the field at every opportunity.
Across the field, Austin Green consistently kept pace, running inside the top 10 for most of the day and eventually earning a career-best runner-up finish. The nature of Zilisch’s victory set a new standard for series rookies and placed him among the most successful Xfinity Series drivers in terms of wins during a single season. With this result, Zilisch became the sixth driver in history to claim ten victories in one year, marking his fourth consecutive win on a road course, and adding to earlier triumphs at Sonoma Raceway, Watkins Glen International, and Portland International Raceway.
Playoff Race Intensifies: Drama Unfolds Near Cutline
While Zilisch’s supremacy was not in doubt, the tense playoff battle for the eighth and final transfer spot went down to the race’s latest laps. Joe Gibbs Racing rookie Taylor Gray seemed on track to advance to the next playoff round, maintaining a multiple-point advantage over challenger Sammy Smith of JR Motorsports. Smith’s day seemed all but over when he was forced to pit for a flat tire with only a handful of laps remaining, appearing to end his postseason run. However, a sudden caution caused by Sage Karam’s incident on the frontstretch presented Smith with a fresh opportunity.
When many competitors dived into pit lane for tire changes, Smith, having just serviced his car, stayed out and moved up the order. The overtime restart saw Smith seize his chance, overtaking Gray, whose older tires proved to be a major disadvantage, and climbing from eighth to third before another caution ended the race. Smith’s daring strategy ultimately allowed him to edge Gray out by a single point for the last transfer position into the Round of 8, with Gray, Nick Sanchez, Austin Hill, and Harrison Burton all eliminated from championship contention.
Standout Performances Bolster Race Highlights
In addition to Zilisch’s star turn, Austin Green’s race stood out for his steady progress inside the top 10, culminating in a personal best second-place finish. The North Carolina native’s reputation as an emerging road course contender grew, having now finished 11th or better in his last six such events. Kaz Grala and Connor Mosack, also part-time campaigners, impressed as both secured top-five finishes. Grala, racing for Sam Hunt Racing, overcame a stage one penalty to achieve his third top 10 at the ROVAL, remaining consistent throughout despite late drama. Mosack, in a JR Motorsports entry, matched his career-best by finishing fifth despite a late-race pit stop needed for fuel pressure issues.
Sammy Smith’s comeback drive not only kept his season alive but exemplified resilience. Overcoming a 14-point deficit before the race, Smith delivered top five results in both opening stages, further validating his place among the Round of 8 contenders. Meanwhile, Justin Allgaier, Jeb Burton, William Sawalich, Nick Sanchez, and Christian Eckes rounded out a top 10 that reflected the mix of full-time veterans and part-time surprise stars.
Rising Part-Time Drivers and Playoff Hopefuls
The playoff narrative at Charlotte was shaped by determined efforts from rising drivers and established names alike. Sheldon Creed, Jesse Love, and Carson Kvapil all did what was needed to move forward in the playoffs, finishing in the top 10 in the initial stages. Kvapil, another rookie for JR Motorsports, seemed vulnerable as he restarted from 22nd after a late pit stop. Using newer tires, he surged to 15th by the finish, narrowly earning his advancement by three points.
Disappointments for Those Falling Short of Advancement
Despite the uplifting stories at the front, several competitors left Charlotte with heavy disappointment. Taylor Gray, who had entered the day with a 16-point cushion, saw his prospects undone following the late caution. Maintaining track position with old tires, Gray dropped through the field, ultimately finishing in 13th—just shy of the position he needed to pass Smith in points. Gray, competing in a Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota Supra, experienced one of the biggest letdowns of the event.
Chevrolet drivers Nick Sanchez and Austin Hill also saw their playoff bids end. Sanchez, despite collecting stage points and bouncing back from a pit penalty, finished ninth, while Hill, after showing promising speed early, dropped to 28th due to a stage three engine problem. Hill’s points deficit was especially frustrating, matching the 21 points he lost earlier in the season after being suspended for a crash with Aric Almirola at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Harrison Burton endured perhaps the toughest outing, facing fuel pump troubles that left him 34th, four laps down. The veteran Richard Childress Racing driver saw his playoff ambitions evaporate with barely any chance to compete for advancement.
Pivotal Points and Tight Playoff Picture Moving Forward
With the Round of 8 now finalized, all eyes shift towards which drivers will emerge as championship contenders and who may falter. Zilisch, sitting 57 points above the danger zone, is in a commanding position, especially considering his road course prowess, making his advance to the next round almost certain despite unpredictable venues like Talladega Superspeedway looming. Justin Allgaier, last year’s champion and a teammate at JR Motorsports, boasts a 24-point cushion, providing him with a strategic advantage given his experience and recent form at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Martinsville Speedway, though Talladega’s history of chaos remains a concern.
The competition among the remaining playoff drivers remains fierce, with just 15 points separating third-place Brandon Jones from eighth-place Sheldon Creed. Sam Mayer and Jesse Love have been among the most consistent in terms of speed and results, shaping up as possible favorites to progress. However, considering the unpredictable nature of Talladega and potential mayhem at Martinsville, any of the eight remaining challengers could plausibly secure a spot in the final championship round at Phoenix.
Memorable Moments and Impressive Paint Schemes
Among the standout visuals at Charlotte, Austin Green’s No. 87 3Dimensional Services Chevrolet caught the eye thanks to both its aesthetics and his performance. Green began his day qualifying tenth and remained at the forefront throughout, capping his race with a second-place finish that stood out among both part-time and full-time drivers alike.
“What a day for @austingreen2_ with a career-best 2nd place #XfinitySeries finish in the No. 87.”
— Xfinity Racing
Las Vegas Up Next as Playoff Battle Continues
The NASCAR Xfinity Series now turns its attention to Las Vegas Motor Speedway, where the opening race of the Round of 8 is scheduled for October 11. Earlier this season, Justin Allgaier delivered a dominant win at the track, leading over 100 laps and kickstarting his 2025 campaign there. The upcoming event will be broadcast on The CW beginning at 7 p.m. Eastern, with radio commentary available on the Performance Racing Network.
As the hunt for the championship intensifies and Connor Zilisch Xfinity Series domination continues, the spotlight will remain on whether any contender can slow the momentum of Zilisch and JR Motorsports, or if the chaotic nature of the playoffs will usher in a new surprise next week in Las Vegas.
What a day for @austingreen2_ with a career-best 2nd place #XfinitySeries finish in the No. 87. pic.twitter.com/fxWerc0aCa
— Xfinity Racing (@XfinityRacing) October 4, 2025
