In a dramatic finale at Phoenix Raceway, Jesse Love emerged as the Jesse Love NASCAR Xfinity champion, taking a hard-fought victory over Conor Zilisch, despite Zilisch’s season-long dominance. The race concluded with Love securing the championship title for Richard Childress Racing (RCR) while Zilisch, representing JR Motorsports, endured heartbreak after a commanding year.
Love Seizes Opportunity in Decisive Race
Conor Zilisch entered the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series finale as the clear favorite, having tallied 10 wins, 20 top-five finishes, and led over 1,000 laps—one of the most impressive runs in recent series history. As the checkered flag neared, however, Zilisch’s Chevrolet lost speed, allowing Jesse Love to overtake and claim both the race win and the championship title for RCR. Zilisch ultimately finished third in the race and second in the final standings.
Although disappointment was clear, Zilisch accepted the outcome with resilience, acknowledging the season’s achievements and the support from his team and crew members. Even after coming so close to claiming the championship, Zilisch departed Phoenix Raceway with a sense of pride and accomplishment.
“I’m still so proud of my team, what we’ve accomplished this year. We have nothing to hang our heads about. We were the best car for two-thirds of the year. We dominated until these last three races. Yeah, it cost us a championship, so… We’ll keep our heads high.”
Connor Zilisch, JR Motorsports driver
Zilisch Reflects on Record-Setting Season
Zilisch’s campaign was marked by consistency and determination, resulting in the most race victories, poles, and top-ten finishes among his competitors. Despite a late-season downturn, his performance solidified his reputation as a frontrunner in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
“We are walking home with more than three times as many trophies as anybody else. We won the most races, had the most top-10s, top-5s, poles. There’s no reason we should be upset because of this outcome.”
Connor Zilisch, JR Motorsports driver
Zilisch expressed deep gratitude to his crew, team members, and everyone involved throughout the year. The strong camaraderie and support inside JR Motorsports remained a highlight, even in the face of disappointment. Zilisch said he will remember the 2025 season for the bonds formed and the successes earned, while also wishing he could have capped it all with a championship for those who stood by him.
“This year’s been a dream. My teammate, my team, every crew member, everybody back at the shop, people working upstairs in the offices, everybody has treated me like family. I’ll remember this year forever. I just wish I could have gone out on top and left them with a championship. Yeah, I guess not.”
Connor Zilisch, JR Motorsports driver
The next chapter in Zilisch’s career begins soon, as he prepares to make his NASCAR Cup Series debut as a rookie driver for Trackhouse Racing in the upcoming season. His breakout year in Xfinity has set high expectations for what lies ahead.
Justin Allgaier’s Emotional Farewell Attempt
Veteran JR Motorsports driver Justin Allgaier also faced a tough end to his championship bid. Allgaier finished the Phoenix race behind both Zilisch and Love, missing the chance to deliver a title in his final race with crew chief Jim Pohlman, who will transition to work alongside Kyle Busch at RCR in 2026. Allgaier was hoping for a triumphant send-off to cap their partnership.
“I wanted to send Jim Pohlman off with another championship. He’s been an amazing part of this journey, got me my championship last year. Just felt like we did all the right things tonight, and we still came out of here really short.”
Justin Allgaier, JR Motorsports driver
Both Allgaier and Zilisch saw their championship dreams dashed, though the resilience and competitive spirit within the JR Motorsports camp remained evident. While the disappointment stung, both drivers will have opportunities at redemption—Allgaier in the Xfinity Series and Zilisch moving to the Cup Series—in the coming season. The conclusion of this year’s race marks the start of new journeys for both men, whose determination was tested and strengthened in pursuit of NASCAR greatness.
Looking Ahead to a New NASCAR Era
Fans, teams, and drivers now look to the next season, anticipating how rising talents like Jesse Love, established competitors such as Justin Allgaier, and Cup newcomer Conor Zilisch will shape the future landscape of American stock car racing. The efforts by every crew, from those working long hours at the shop to the drivers executing during every lap, continued to define the spirit and excitement of the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Jesse Love’s triumph has etched a new chapter in the sport’s history, while Zilisch’s and Allgaier’s journeys inspire hope for more thrilling championships ahead.
"We have nothing to hang our heads about."
Hear from @ConnorZilisch after his third-place finish at @phoenixraceway. pic.twitter.com/wC23Vyqqfn
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) November 2, 2025
