The NASCAR Xfinity Series lineup is official for the upcoming Focused Health 302 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, with reigning champion Justin Allgaier capturing pole position as the Round of 8 launches. Allgaier, representing JR Motorsports, delivered a standout qualifying effort on Friday, setting the stage for a crucial playoff weekend in Nevada.
Allgaier Secures Pole in a Tight Qualifying Battle
Justin Allgaier demonstrated his championship pedigree with a blazing qualifying run of 30.157 seconds, earning his second pole of the 2025 season and the 12th of his 16-year Xfinity Series career. This performance comes at a pivotal moment as the playoffs continue, underlining why Allgaier remains one of the most consistent drivers in the field. His JR Motorsports teammate, Connor Zilisch, who clinched the regular-season championship, will line up alongside him on the front row after posting a lap speed of 178.719 mph. This gives the team a commanding presence as the green flag drops on Saturday.
Taylor Gray, who was eliminated from the playoffs in the previous round, recorded the fastest lap during practice with a time of 30.557 seconds, showing that he remains competitive despite being out of championship contention.
“Play your cards right tonight, and you’re headed to the #Championship4. pic.twitter.com/QlJmLKCP7A
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) October 11, 2025”
Veteran Trevor Bayne Makes His Return to the Series
Trevor Bayne, a fixture in NASCAR with a Daytona 500 title and a history of Xfinity Series starts, returns with Sam Hunt Racing after last taking the wheel at this level in September 2023. Bayne’s involvement as Legacy Motor Club’s driver optimization leader brings additional experience to the garage. Attempting to capitalize on the momentum generated by teammate Kaz Grala’s fourth-place finish last week at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course, Bayne qualified in 26th place for Saturday’s event, clocking a lap at 173.099 mph in the No. 24 Toyota.
Bayne’s last trip to Xfinity Series Victory Lane came at Iowa Speedway, adding to his long record of contributing to competitive organizations like Sam Hunt Racing. Though his most recent Xfinity finish was 33rd, Bayne’s experience could play a valuable role during the busy playoff weekend.
“NAu̶t̶i̶c̶a̶l̶SCAR Nonsense
Trevor Bayne makes his qualifying lap driving the Spongebob Squarepants Olipop Toyota. Had trouble getting over the bumps in Turns 1/2 pic.twitter.com/JH8osUyh8e
— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) October 11, 2025”
Complete Starting Grid for the Focused Health 302
The confirmed NASCAR Xfinity Series lineup features thirty-eight competitors for the Focused Health 302. Allgaier leads them to the green flag, but the field is stacked with past winners, playoff hopefuls, and energetic newcomers. Here is the official starting grid:
1. Justin Allgaier, No. 7 Chevrolet
2. Connor Zilisch, No. 88 Chevrolet
3. Brandon Jones, No. 20 Toyota
4. Aric Almirola, No. 19 Toyota
5. Nicholas Sanchez, No. 48 Chevrolet
6. Jesse Love, No. 2 Chevrolet
7. Christian Eckes, No. 16 Chevrolet
8. Taylor Gray, No. 54 Toyota
9. Carson Kvapil, No. 1 Chevrolet
10. Sheldon Creed, No. 00 Ford
11. William Sawalich, No. 18 Toyota
12. Austin Hill, No. 21 Chevrolet
13. Daniel Hemric, No. 11 Chevrolet
14. Ryan Sieg, No. 39 Ford
15. Sammy Smith, No. 8 Ford
16. Sam Mayer, No. 41 Ford
17. Matt DiBenedetto, No. 99 Chevrolet
18. Daniel Dye, No. 10 Chevrolet
19. Corey Day, No. 17 Chevrolet
20. Harrison Burton, No. 25 Ford
21. Jeremy Clements, No. 51 Chevrolet
22. Jeb Burton, No. 27 Chevrolet
23. Dean Thompson, No. 26 Toyota
24. Kyle Sieg, No. 28 Ford
25. Anthony Alfredo, No. 42 Chevrolet
26. Trevor Bayne, No. 24 Toyota
27. Josh Williams, No. 91 Chevrolet
28. Blaine Perkins, No. 31 Chevrolet
29. Thomas Annunziata, No. 70 Chevrolet
30. Thomas Massey, No. 45 Chevrolet
31. Brennan Poole, No. 44 Chevrolet
32. Joey Gase, No. 53 Chevrolet
33. Austin Green, No. 32 Chevrolet
34. Nick Leitz, No. 07 Chevrolet
35. Mason Maggio, No. 35 Ford
36. Garrett Smithley, No. 14 Chevrolet
37. Parker Retzlaff, No. 4 Chevrolet
38. Ryan Ellis, No. 71 Chevrolet
Several notable names appear throughout the grid, including veterans like Aric Almirola, Daniel Hemric, and Jeb Burton, along with up-and-coming drivers such as Carson Kvapil, Nicholas Sanchez, and Corey Day. The lineup also features a diverse mix of manufacturers, as Chevrolet, Toyota, and Ford all hope to see their cars reach Victory Lane in Las Vegas.
“Thanks for a great day, race fans! See you tomorrow! 😎 pic.twitter.com/vmRq5RYhgn
— Las Vegas Motor Speedway (@LVMotorSpeedway) October 11, 2025”
A Playoff Showdown with High Stakes
As the Round of 8 gets underway at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the playoff field is set for a tense battle in the Focused Health 302. Drivers like Justin Allgaier, Connor Zilisch, Sheldon Creed, and Daniel Hemric approach the race with everything on the line, each hoping a strong showing will secure a coveted spot in the Championship 4. The blend of experienced favorites and hungry new talent promises a memorable contest under the Nevada lights.
The coming race could shift the playoff momentum dramatically, with every position important for the championship push. As anticipation builds, Las Vegas Motor Speedway prepares to host another chapter in the NASCAR Xfinity Series journey, with every lap counting for the drivers, their teams, and the fans looking ahead to crowning the next series champion.
Play your cards right tonight, and you're headed to the #Championship4. pic.twitter.com/QlJmLKCP7A
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) October 11, 2025
NAu̶t̶i̶c̶a̶l̶SCAR Nonsense
Trevor Bayne makes his qualifying lap driving the Spongebob Squarepants Olipop Toyota. Had trouble getting over the bumps in Turns 1/2 pic.twitter.com/JH8osUyh8e
— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) October 11, 2025
Thanks for a great day, race fans! See you tomorrow! 😎 pic.twitter.com/vmRq5RYhgn
— Las Vegas Motor Speedway (@LVMotorSpeedway) October 11, 2025
