As the NASCAR Xfinity Series heads deeper into the playoffs, Connor Zilisch stands as the leading candidate for the next title, emerging as the primary Connor Zilisch NASCAR Xfinity Favorite. With the pursuit for the 2025 championship heating up, Zilisch has retained his status as the favorite, according to the latest odds from BetOnline Sportsbook, reflecting the confidence experts and fans have in his ongoing performance throughout the season.
The odds list Zilisch at -170 to win the series, an indicator of the elevated expectations around his campaign for the Xfinity Series crown. As the regular-season champion, he leads a competitive field, including rivals such as Sheldon Creed and Sam Mayer, each with their own ambitions for the title. Crews and drivers are now fully focused as the series progresses through the critical Round of 8 stretch.
Sheldon Creed’s Season Hinges on a Repeat-Busting Win
Sheldon Creed enters the upcoming United Rentals 250 at Talladega Speedway sitting sixth in the playoff standings. The 2020 Truck Series champion finished 11th last weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, leaving him 21 points behind Sam Mayer, who holds the fourth and final Championship 4 spot. Despite consistent top finishes throughout his Xfinity career, Creed has yet to secure a series victory, finishing second on 15 different occasions.
His record at Talladega provides hope, having earned two top-five finishes and leading a total of 23 laps across six starts. However, the path to advance is clear—he must earn a win, breaking his persistent streak of runner-up finishes. The pre-race setup remains critical for Creed’s team, with adjustments and handling being a focal concern throughout the season.
“We’ll be pretty good in practice and then we start the race like 10 out of 10 loose, so that was challenging at the start,”
Creed said via Ford Racing PR.
“We definately need to look into our adjustments.”
— Sheldon Creed, Ford Racing PR
Although Creed is given +2800 odds to clinch the championship, making him an underdog compared to Zilisch, the unpredictable nature of superspeedway racing means his hopes are not yet extinguished.
Sam Mayer’s Playoff Prospects Remain Strong
Sam Mayer, representing Ford and the Haas Factory Team, narrowly holds onto a playoff berth. After capturing a ninth-place result at Las Vegas, he sits just five points above Brandon Jones at the critical cutoff line. Mayer, who has already marked his rookie years with notable performances, continues to advance his profile with resilience and incremental improvements each week.
“Even though it wasn’t the best, we still made it better, but there’s always room for improvement,”
Mayer noted via Ford Racing PR.
Mayer’s previous success in the series—eight wins since 2021 and experience in the Truck Series—serves as a foundation for his ongoing championship bid. He previously reached the Championship 4, finishing third in 2023, and aims to repeat or better that result this year.
Sam Mayer secured top-10 finishes in all stages at Las Vegas, strengthening his playoff position, while Sheldon Creed rebounded from early handling issues to finish 11th. 🎲@sam_mayer_ X @Audibel_Hear @sheldoncreed X @OlliesOutlet pic.twitter.com/3FSx5Wrmsb — Haas Factory Team
A Look at the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Title Odds
BetOnline Sportsbook’s recent release of driver odds for the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series championship shows Connor Zilisch maintaining his role as the top pick. As the regular season’s champion, his favorable odds highlight the consistent form he has displayed throughout, while competitors like Sheldon Creed and Sam Mayer trail in terms of betting confidence but remain mathematically in contention.
With just two races left in the Round of 8, the standings are expected to shift, and strong performances at tracks like Talladega could upend pre-race expectations. Championship futures remain uncertain, with each event holding the potential to rewrite the narrative for both established favorites and determined challengers.
All eyes now turn to the United Rentals 250 at Talladega, where drivers such as Zilisch, Creed, and Mayer will look to secure critical points and move closer to a place in the Championship 4.
Sheldon Creed with issues #nascar #live #trending #XfinitySeries pic.twitter.com/ieyYiNBIXp
— Charlie (@reallamecharlie) October 12, 2025
Sam Mayer secured top-10 finishes in all stages at Las Vegas, strengthening his playoff position, while Sheldon Creed rebounded from early handling issues to finish 11th. 🎲@sam_mayer_ X @Audibel_Hear @sheldoncreed X @OlliesOutlet pic.twitter.com/3FSx5Wrmsb
— Haas Factory Team (@HaasFactoryTeam) October 13, 2025
