Connor Zilisch had an incredible win at the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Circuit of the Americas, marking his first victory of the season. This race was far from smooth, with Zilisch facing penalties, crashes, and car issues, but he managed to pull through while other drivers experienced tough luck. Let’s dive into the highlights and some standout performances from the chaotic race in Austin, Texas.
Winners
Connor Zilisch: A Hard-Earned Victory
Connor Zilisch’s win was impressive. He started strong, leading the race early on, but received a pit-road penalty on Lap 17 which pushed him to the back. Not one to back down, the 18-year-old driver climbed his way back through the pack, overcoming a damaged fender and a tight battle with his JR Motorsports teammate Carson Kvapil. With just nine laps to go, he made a crucial pass on Kvapil, sealing his reputation as a skilled road racer.
This is Zilisch’s second win in the Xfinity Series and both victories have come on road courses. His successful run also continues Chevrolet’s undefeated start to the season.
After the race, he admitted, “That was way harder than I wanted it to be. I did not drive a clean race at all… Glad we were able to fight back.”
William Byron: The Cup Star’s Impressive Return
In his first Xfinity start of 2025, two-time Daytona 500 champion William Byron finished in second place. He skillfully navigated the race without major incidents and took advantage of Kvapil’s tire issues to secure a top spot. His performance echoed his win at COTA last year and showed the strength of Hendrick Motorsports across racing series.
Team Spirit at JR Motorsports
JR Motorsports had a successful day, placing three drivers in the top ten. Zilisch took first place, followed by Sam Mayer in third. Despite some internal competition, this shows the team’s potential for the championship. Kvapil faced disappointment with a tire failure but his early leadership bodes well for the future.
Jesse Love: Consistent Performer
With a sixth-place finish, Jesse Love reinforced his championship ambitions. He’s now in a solid second in points, just behind Austin Hill.
William Sawalich: Bright Rookie Talent
Rookie William Sawalich had his best showing yet, finishing ninth in only his third Xfinity start. He managed to stay clear of the chaos that took down many veteran drivers.
Losers
Carson Kvapil: Heartbreaking Turn of Events
Carson Kvapil had a strong beginning, leading laps, but a flat tire ended his hopes for a top finish, leaving him in 23rd place. He expressed frustration, saying, “It’s tough to get over that one… Ultimately, I just used [the car] up a little too much.”
Justin Allgaier: A Rough Day
Justin Allgaier’s performance was less than stellar, with penalties putting him a lap down early on. A tire issue later led to multiple pit stops, resulting in a disappointing 29th finish.
Harrison Burton: Mechanical Troubles
Harrison Burton won Stage 2 but faced an axle failure that dropped him to 35th place, adding to a rocky start for his team.
Corey Heim: A Tough Break
Corey Heim was running well until an aggressive move by Zilisch sent him spinning off track, leading to a 31st place finish and ending his chances for a high placement.
Riley Herbst: Lost Opportunities
After encountering issues from contact and a tire rub, Riley Herbst had to pit, falling out of the top ten. He ultimately finished 13th, missing a chance for a better outcome.
As the series moves toward the next race at Phoenix, expect tight competition among leaders like Austin Hill—who finished fourth—and challengers like Love and the increasingly formidable JR Motorsports team.
Focused Health 250 Results
- C. Zilisch (Chevrolet · #88) – Finished – 40 pts
- W. Byron (Chevrolet · #17) – Finished – 0 pts
- S. Mayer (Ford · #41) – Finished – 41 pts
- A. Hill (Chevrolet · #21) – Finished – 38 pts
- C. Eckes (Chevrolet · #16) – Finished – 36 pts
- J. Love (Chevrolet · #2) – Finished – 31 pts
- T. Gray (Toyota · #54) – Finished – 30 pts
- R. Chastain (Chevrolet · #9) – Finished – 0 pts
- W. Sawalich (Toyota · #18) – Finished – 28 pts
- B. Perkins (Chevrolet · #31) – Finished – 27 pts
- S. Smith (Chevrolet · #8) – Finished – 37 pts
- S. Creed (Ford · #00) – Finished – 25 pts
- R. Herbst (Toyota · #19) – Finished – 0 pts
- A. Labbé (Chevrolet · #07) – Finished – 28 pts
- J. Williams (Chevrolet · #11) – Finished – 25 pts
- R. Ellis (Chevrolet · #71) – Finished – 21 pts
- D. Dye (Chevrolet · #10) – Finished – 29 pts
- D. Thompson (Toyota · #26) – Finished – 19 pts
- R. Sieg (Ford · #39) – Finished – 24 pts
- B. Poole (Chevrolet · #44) – Finished – 22 pts
- A. Alfredo (Chevrolet · #42) – Finished – 18 pts
- J. Bilicki (Chevrolet · #91) – Finished – 15 pts
- C. Kvapil (Chevrolet · #1) – Finished – 15 pts
- N. Sanchez (Chevrolet · #48) – Finished – 13 pts
- J. Burton (Chevrolet · #27) – Finished – 19 pts
- A. Green (Chevrolet · #32) – Finished – 11 pts
- K. Sieg (Ford · #28) – Finished – 11 pts
- J. Clements (Chevrolet · #51) – Finished – 9 pts
- J. Allgaier (Chevrolet · #7) – Finished – 14 pts
- B. Jones (Toyota · #20) – Finished – 7 pts
- C. Heim (Toyota · #24) – Finished – 0 pts
- M. DiBenedetto (Chevrolet · #99) – Finished – 5 pts
- K. Wright (Chevrolet · #5) – Finished – 4 pts
- S. Karam (Toyota · #53) – DNF – 5 pts
- H. Burton (Ford · #25) – DNF – 12 pts
- P. Pardus (Chevrolet · #50) – DNF – 1 pt
- B. Leguizamón (Chevrolet · #35) – DNF – 1 pt
- C. Hocevar (Chevrolet · #14) – DNF – 0 pts
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