The JR Motorsports championship battle is reaching its peak as the NASCAR Xfinity Series returns to Phoenix, where rising star Connor Zilisch aims to extend his remarkable season. Zilisch, piloting the No. 88 JRM Chevrolet, has already captured ten victories in 2025 and now leads a group of formidable competitors heading into Saturday’s high-stakes race at Phoenix Raceway.
Emerging Talent Versus Established Champions
Zilisch faces significant competition as he enters the NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship race, which is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on CW Network, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Among his rivals are his own JR Motorsports teammates: defending champion Justin Allgaier in the No. 7 Chevrolet and fellow rookie Carson Kvapil in the No. 1 car. Zilisch’s best friend, Jesse Love, who drives the No. 2 RCR Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing, rounds out the all-Chevrolet quartet battling for the coveted trophy.
If either Zilisch or Kvapil emerges victorious with the championship, they would join an elite group as only the fourth rookie to claim the title in series history.
Inside the Team Dynamics and Rising Expectations
Reflecting on the magnitude of the occasion, Zilisch shared his thoughts on racing alongside his teammates:
“It’s really cool to be in the Championship 4 with my teammates Justin and Carson,”
said Connor Zilisch, Driver.
Zilisch emphasized the importance of preparation and determination heading into the event. He spoke about the unpredictable nature of such a pivotal race weekend in Phoenix and the comprehensive approach his team has adopted to tackle any situation.
He credited the success of the year to his crew and team leadership, recalling an early-season prediction with understated humility:
“Before the season started my crew chief Mardy Lindley had me fill out a points and win prediction. I had us winning four races so to sit here today with 10 wins and winning the Regular Season Championship plus locking into the Championship 4 early, this No. 88 team has certainly outdone my expectations.”
— Connor Zilisch, Driver
Track Records and Past Performances Fuel the Competition
Among the four contenders, veteran Justin Allgaier is the only driver with a win at Phoenix, having taken victory at the venue in Fall 2019 and Spring 2017. Last November, Allgaier finished second behind non-Playoff competitor Riley Herbst, earning his first career championship title.
In the most recent race at Phoenix in March, Allgaier and Love stood out as the only championship hopefuls to secure top-10 finishes, with Allgaier dominating by leading 130 of the 208 laps. Jesse Love has also shown particular strength at the Phoenix track, with three consecutive top-10 results, including a second-place finish during his debut at the circuit in Spring 2023.
The field features other notable Phoenix winners as well. Aric Almirola, who took victory this spring, Front Row Motorsports’ Chandler Smith, who also secured a win in Spring 2024, JR Motorsports’ Sammy Smith from 2023, and Joe Gibbs Racing’s Brandon Jones from 2020, are all competing. The last two Phoenix events have both been decided by last-lap passes, adding to the intensity and unpredictability of the finale.
Owner’s Championship and Major Series Milestones
Beyond the driver’s championship, there’s also a tightly contested owner’s title on the line. The owner’s race brings in Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 19 Toyota, driven by Aric Almirola, and RCR’s No. 21 Chevrolet, piloted by Austin Hill, along with the JR Motorsports entries handled by Zilisch and Kvapil. This mix sets the stage for a dynamic contest amongst top organizations including Joe Gibbs Racing and Richard Childress Racing.
Saturday night’s championship has added significance as the series marks the end of a major sponsorship era, with Xfinity concluding its 11-year partnership. This historical milestone enhances the sense of anticipation and change, both for the competitors and for the broader NASCAR community.
Practice, Qualifying, and What to Expect Next
Preparations are in the final stages, with practice scheduled for Friday at 4:35 p.m. ET and Kennametal Pole Qualifying set for Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET, both available via the CW App. Joe Gibbs Racing’s William Sawalich, who secured pole position in the previous Phoenix race, returns as the defending pole-winner.
The 2025 Phoenix finale presents a dramatic juncture for the NASCAR Xfinity Series, showcasing emerging stars like Zilisch and Kvapil, established veterans such as Allgaier, and a showcase of team strategy at its highest level. Fans will be watching closely to see if JR Motorsports can convert their season-long dominance into a championship victory, or if the finale will deliver another surprise in a year already packed with standout performances and close finishes.
