Four JR Motorsports drivers are set to compete in a pivotal elimination race at Martinsville Speedway this Saturday, as the team pursues coveted championship positions in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. The JR Motorsports Martinsville Preview focuses on Carson Kvapil, Justin Allgaier, Sammy Smith, and Connor Zilisch, each bringing momentum and determination to the 0.526-mile Virginia short track for a shot at advancing to the Championship 4.
Carson Kvapil Targets Top Finish Above the Cutline
Carson Kvapil arrives at Martinsville ranked fourth in the Xfinity Series standings, holding an 11-point cushion above the elimination line before Saturday’s decisive event. Driving the No. 1 Bass Pro Shops / Clarience Technologies Chevrolet, Kvapil is building on an impressive rookie season, notching seven top-five and 14 top-ten finishes across 31 starts, alongside 64 laps led and an average result of 13.6.
Last year, Kvapil debuted in the series at Martinsville and secured a strong fourth-place finish, signaling his affinity for the track. In Late Model competition at Martinsville, he’s also proven his mastery with a win in 2024, runner-up in 2022, and a third-place in 2023, all with JR Motorsports.
Kvapil’s five starts on short tracks in the series have yielded three top-fives and four top-tens, highlighted by a runner-up at Bristol earlier this season. As the elimination race approaches, Kvapil emphasizes preparation and execution:
“While we weren’t able to get the win in Talladega, we were able to gain some ground on the cutline going into Martinsville. This No. 1 team knows what we have to do to move on to the final four, so we plan to go into the weekend and execute all day. We had a fast car in the spring, so I know we will unload another one on Saturday. With two more chances to get a great finish for Johnny Morris and everyone at Bass Pro Shops and Clarience Technologies we are going to capitalize and put ourselves in the best position for success.”
– Carson Kvapil, Driver
Justin Allgaier Looks to Carry Winning Momentum
Justin Allgaier has already secured his seat in the Championship 4 after a successful run at Talladega Superspeedway, allowing him to shift his focus to not just competing, but seeking victory at Martinsville. Piloting the No. 7 Jarrett Chevrolet, Allgaier’s 2025 campaign features three wins, 14 top-five and 19 top-ten finishes, and an average result of 12.1 from 31 starts.
Allgaier owns a storied history at Martinsville, having won the event in 2023 with a dramatic photo finish. Across 10 series starts at the track, he has accumulated seven top-fives, nine top-tens, and the 2023 win. His career on short tracks is equally notable, with six wins, 31 top-five, and 50 top-ten finishes in 82 Xfinity Series races.
Allgaier’s confidence heading into the race is evident:
“It’s definitely a huge relief knowing that we are already locked into the Championship 4 heading into this weekend at Martinsville. That really lets us go into this race with a mindset of having fun and just go out and race for the win. I know that Jim (Pohlman, crew chief) and all the guys on this Jarrett team will give me a great car. We just need to keep executing like we have been and hopefully we can be up front in the end battling for the win.”
– Justin Allgaier, Driver
Sammy Smith Fights for His First Championship Bid
Sammy Smith arrives at Martinsville determined to claim one of the final two available Championship 4 spots, as he sits fifth in the standings. Behind the wheel of the No. 8 Pilot Chevrolet, Smith’s season includes a victory, seven top-five results, 16 top-tens, and an average finish of 14.7 in 31 starts.
Martinsville stands out as Smith’s best track, relative to others where he’s made multiple series starts. In six previous appearances at the Virginia oval, Smith has posted three top-fives and five top-tens, averaging a 7.0 finish. The NASCAR Loop Data Statistics ranks Smith third for all-time laps led at Martinsville in the series with 202, trailing only Aric Almirola and Ty Gibbs, demonstrating his capability to set the pace at the front.
Smith also gained valuable experience at the track earlier this year, finishing eighth in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series after 200 laps. His focus for the weekend remains clear:
“Heading into Martinsville under the cutline is not where we envisioned ourselves but we’ve been strong here in the past and this No. 8 Pilot team is hungry to advance to the Champ 4. Just like Talladega last week, anything can happen on these short tracks so we just need to be smart and keep our nose clean. If we can do that, I see no reason why we won’t be right where we need to be at the end of the race.”
– Sammy Smith, Driver
Connor Zilisch Ready for Redemption and Championship Run
Connor Zilisch enters Martinsville with his place in the Championship 4 already secure, following a strong performance at Talladega. Piloting the No. 88 WeatherTech Chevrolet, Zilisch’s 2025 season is marked by 10 wins, 19 top-fives, 21 top-tens, and 986 laps led in 30 starts, along with an impressive 8.2 average finish. He leads the points standings with a narrow seven-point margin over Allgaier, while the team enjoys a 12-point advantage in the owner standings.
Zilisch is set for his second Xfinity Series start at Martinsville. Earlier in 2024, he captured the pole, dominated both stages, and led 100 of 256 laps—one of nine occasions this season where he led the most laps. His long streak of top-five finishes ended last week with 18 consecutive races among the series’ frontrunners, a testament to his season-long consistency. Zilisch made history as the first driver to earn the regular season title in the playoff era despite missing a race.
Looking ahead to Saturday’s race, Zilisch shared his thoughts:
“I’m looking forward to Martinsville this Saturday. We had a good car there in the spring, qualified on the pole and led for quite a while with a shot at winning until chaos ensued. It’s a relief to be locked into the Champ 4 already so that we can have some fun this weekend with our No. 88 WeatherTech Chevrolet. We can go out there this weekend and fight for a redemption victory without all the pressure before we get ready to race for a Championship in Phoenix.”
– Connor Zilisch, Driver
JR Motorsports’ Track Record and Fan Engagement
Since 2006, JR Motorsports has made 43 Xfinity Series starts at Martinsville Speedway. The organization has celebrated three victories at the Virginia oval, while accumulating 21 top-five and 28 top-ten finishes, resulting in a strong team average finish of 11.3. The consistent performances at Martinsville reinforce the team’s optimism and high expectations for Saturday’s showdown.
Fans will also have the opportunity to interact with their favorite JR Motorsports drivers. Carson Kvapil, Justin Allgaier, Sammy Smith, and Connor Zilisch will be available for autographs at the JR Motorsports / HMS-Byron/Bowman souvenir rig on Saturday, October 25, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET, providing personal connections ahead of the intense on-track action.
What This Weekend Means for the Championship Hunt
With Carson Kvapil and Sammy Smith aiming to secure their paths to the Championship 4 and Justin Allgaier and Connor Zilisch already looking ahead to Phoenix Raceway, the stakes are high for JR Motorsports at Martinsville. The outcome of this elimination race will determine which drivers advance to compete for the season title in Arizona. Organizations, sponsors like Bass Pro Shops and Clarience Technologies, and the JR Motorsports team are poised for an exciting weekend as the field prepares for the final championship battle.
