So it’s official, with Connor Zilisch’s head-spinning win at Gateway, the 12-driver NASCAR Xfinity Series playoff field is now locked in. His dominating regular-season finale secured not only the regular-season championship but also reinforced his spot at the very top of the grid going into the postseason. Now let’s unpack who’s in and how they got there.
Zilisch Leads a Rollicking Rookie Charge and Clinches the Regular Season Crown
Connor Zilisch simply owned the regular season. With his ninth win of 2025 at Gateway, marking his fourth straight and seventh win in his last eight races, he wrapped up the 2025 regular-season title in style. That victory also padded his elite cushion in playoff points, giving him a healthy edge with 59 points above the elimination line
It’s wild to think he’s still a rookie. He’s now the winningest rookie in Xfinity Series history, and his late-season run reads like a greatest-hits reel
Meet the 12 Drivers Heading to Playoff Battle
According to a NASCAR.com report, “Harrison Burton clinched the last of 12 playoff berths at the expense of his cousin Jeb, who was the only driver with a mathematical chance to advance based on points. Jeb Burton’s quest ended after a hard crash that halted his bid 51 laps short of the 160-lap distance.”
“Including Zilisch, eight drivers secured playoff spots with wins earlier in the season. They are: Justin Allgaier (3 wins), Austin Hill (3 wins), Nick Sanchez, Sam Mayer, Brandon Jones, Sammy Smith, and Jesse Love. Carson Kvapil clinched his spot on points last weekend at Portland International Raceway.”
In a big moment for NASCAR Xfinity Series playoff drama, Harrison Burton claimed the final berth. His cousin Jeb Burton crashed out and ended up missing the field, even though he had a shot going into the race.
“I’m disappointed,” the younger Burton said. “I am happy about our season, happy about the progress of our team, a single-car team, and the effort, all the hours, a lot of good people. Now that we’re in, I saw that we’re only two or three points out of the cutline.
“Like, I said, we left it up to chance and got lucky, and now we can’t do that. We have to earn our way into the next round and the round after that.”
What’s Next for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs?
Now that the NASCAR Xfinity Series playoff grid is set, Zilisch starts things off with undeniable momentum. As the regular-season champ, he not only brings bragging rights but also a stack of playoff points that could make a difference down the stretch.
And let’s be real, it’s rare to see a rookie come in and dominate like this. If he keeps up his form, he might not just be in the playoffs; he might be contending for the championship. Meanwhile, other champs like Allgaier and Hill will be ready to fight him tooth and nail.
Zilisch capped the regular season with his ninth win, a title, and a massive playoff point cushion. Twelve drivers are now locked into the postseason, with Harrison Burton securing the final spot. Playoff drama begins at Bristol, where Zilisch holds a serious edge, but the field’s stacked.
This playoff grid might just go down as one of the deepest in recent memory. Want me to craft some playoff preview profiles, like what each of the 12’s strengths and threats are heading into Bristol?
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
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