Connor Zilisch, a prominent contender in the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series, is preparing for a high-stakes battle at Phoenix Raceway where the championship will be decided this weekend. As Zilisch enters the Xfinity Championship 2025 finale, his impressive season record is tested by fiercely competitive rivals at the Avondale, Arizona track.
Zilisch’s Remarkable Rookie Campaign Meets Stiff Resistance
Throughout this year’s NASCAR Xfinity Series, Zilisch, the talented rookie representing JR Motorsports, has accumulated an unmatched 10 victories. This tally is more than double that of his championship-eligible competitors, underscoring his dominant presence. Despite this, as the teams arrive at the one-mile Phoenix oval for the decisive race, the championship field remains tightly matched, and a clear favorite is far from certain.
Among Zilisch’s closest competitors is his JR Motorsports teammate, Justin Allgaier, who offers considerable experience at Phoenix Raceway. Allgaier not only clinched the series title last season but also boasts two career wins at this specific venue. His consistency at Phoenix, combined with a strong finish in a back-up car during last year’s finale, signals he is a threat for another championship run.
Adding to the challenge, Jesse Love from Richard Childress Racing brings impressive credentials as well. Love, a California native and previous runner-up at Phoenix, has maintained a perfect record of top-10 finishes at the track in all three of his series starts. His average finish of 5.7 at Phoenix is the best amongst the Championship 4, which also includes Carson Kvapil, another rookie from JR Motorsports.
Contenders Confident Despite Zilisch’s Strong Stats
While Zilisch’s win total sets him apart, his competitors remain unconvinced that these numbers alone determine the championship outcome. Allgaier, motivated by his prior successes, noted the broader context of team strengths this year:
“I know statistically as far as wins go, it looks very lopsided (in Zilisch’s favor), but we’re actually tied in amount of laps led, we (Allgaier’s team) have the most stage (wins) and we’ve really done all the right things this year,”
Allgaier, Driver.
This perspective underlines the strong overall performance of Allgaier’s campaign, emphasizing factors beyond merely race victories.
Love, meanwhile, enters the title bout with quiet self-assurance. Despite tallying just a single win in 2025, he draws confidence from both last year’s close call at Phoenix and his strong track record at the circuit. He had been in the mix for a win in last year’s event, until overtime contact with Allgaier and eventual race winner Riley Herbst affected the outcome. Reflecting on his credentials and competitive spirit, Love stated:
“I keep hearing about and know Justin is really good here, but I don’t think Justin’s any better than I am at this race track,”
Jesse Love, Driver.
He elaborated on his experience and approach to the track, highlighting his readiness and familiarity:
“He (Allgaier) has more experience than me, but I feel as confident as he does or probably more. This place is technical and it’s interesting and I’ve had a lot of races here, probably coming up on 10 (in assorted series) and between truck and Xfinity, I’ve never run outside the top-10 here, so there’s some confidence in that.
Jesse Love, Driver.
Love also addressed the lasting impact of last year’s narrow miss at a Phoenix win:
“I had to think about it all offseason, all year that I was a couple hundred feet from closing out last year with a win here before the caution came out and obviously, Justin put us in the fence after that. I know I can put myself in same position this year, and obviously the stakes are even higher, so there’s some good to come out of that.”
Jesse Love, Driver.
The Path to a Championship Showdown
As the decisive race approaches, the field features a mix of experienced competitors—including Allgaier—and rising talents like Zilisch, Love, and Kvapil. Phoenix Raceway’s technical layout adds further unpredictability, with minor mistakes possibly making the difference between a championship and disappointment.
With seasoned coverage from journalists Holly Cain and Reid Spencer, and heightened anticipation surrounding the event, drivers such as Matt Crafton and Tyler Ankrum, though not in the Xfinity title picture, bring further attention to the broader motorsports community gathered at Avondale, Arizona.
Looking Ahead: High Stakes for the Xfinity Finale
The 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series championship will not only determine the next series champion but may also shape the future trajectories of drivers like Connor Zilisch. As contenders like Allgaier and Love bring both experience and resilience to the final contest, every lap at Phoenix Raceway will carry championship implications. Fans and teams alike are set for a dramatic conclusion, with eyes on which competitor will emerge as the Xfinity Series champion and how the outcome might influence their journey in the world of NASCAR racing.
