Aric Almirola secured victory in Saturday’s Focused Health 302 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, edging out Connor Zilisch in a highly competitive event. This battle captivated spectators and delivered standout NASCAR Xfinity Series race results, underscoring Almirola’s skill and the intense action among the front-runners.
Veteran Experience Triumphs in Las Vegas
Almirola, known for his extensive NASCAR Cup Series career and recent semi-retirement, demonstrated that his racing acumen remains sharp as he clinched his 10th win in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Piloting the No. 19 YoungLife Toyota GR Supra for Joe Gibbs Racing, Almirola led for 107 laps—a commanding performance on the Las Vegas, Nevada track. The final margin was just 0.696 seconds, with 19-year-old Connor Zilisch in close pursuit, extending Zilisch’s remarkable streak of top-five finishes in the last eighteen series events.
Podium and Notable Finishers
Justin Allgaier delivered a strong third-place finish in the No. 7 BRANDT Chevrolet, which proved crucial for his championship hopes as the series eyes the next critical round at Talladega. Hendrick Motorsports’ Corey Day finished in fourth, marking a personal best as he steadily improved throughout the race in the No. 17 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet.
Nick Sanchez made a late surge during the final restart, completing the top-five. Jesse Love, who kept his No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet among the contenders for much of the event, ultimately crossed the line in sixth after a disappointing late-stage shuffle dropped him from the lead group.
Performance of Other Key Drivers
Ryan Sieg overcame an unexpected pit stop at the beginning of the last stage, finishing seventh in the No. 39 RSS Racing Ford Mustang. Taylor Gray, Sam Mayer, and Austin Hill filled out the remainder of the top ten, each putting in consistent runs at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Four of the eight drivers still competing for the post-season championship fell outside the top ten, including Sheldon Creed in eleventh, Brandon Jones in thirteenth, Carson Kvapil in fifteenth, and Sammy Smith twentieth.
Anticipation Builds for Talladega Superspeedway
The next stop for the NASCAR Xfinity Series will be Talladega Superspeedway, where unpredictability is the norm. This upcoming event, scheduled for Saturday, October 18 at 4:00 PM ET and broadcast on The CW, promises more opportunity for drivers like Almirola, Zilisch, and Allgaier to influence the post-season championship. The weekend will also feature races from the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, making Talladega a focal point for motorsports fans.
The commanding performance from experienced drivers such as Aric Almirola and the continued rise of emerging talents like Connor Zilisch and Corey Day highlight the depth and excitement within the current NASCAR Xfinity Series. As the season advances into its critical rounds, racing fans can expect further memorable moments and significant shifts in the championship chase.
He's cashing out a winner!@Aric_Almirola wins at @LVMotorSpeedway! pic.twitter.com/zM5NYrloi2
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) October 12, 2025
