The NASCAR Xfinity Series hits Daytona International Speedway this Friday, August 22. The race could shake up the 2025 Playoff standings as the regular season ends. It’s the final chance for drivers to secure a postseason spot before the playoffs start. Only a few races remain. Every point counts. The competition is fierce.
The race airs at 7:30 p.m. ET on The CW, with qualifying earlier in the day. Daytona’s high-speed oval tests drivers with tight drafting packs. Its unpredictable finishes often shuffle the leaderboard.
Drivers must combine skill, strategy, and split-second decision-making to navigate the chaos, making it a critical test as the regular season concludes.
Connor Zilisch Back in the Spotlight After Unusual Victory Lane Injury
Adding to the excitement, Connor Zilisch is set to return to the track after a dramatic and unusual injury. The 19-year-old rising star fractured his collarbone while celebrating a win at Watkins Glen International on August 9. This happened just moments after he claimed his sixth NASCAR Xfinity Series victory.
Now cleared to compete, Zilisch will start in his No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet. Veteran driver Parker Kligerman will remain on standby as a relief option if needed. This plan allows Zilisch to still earn championship points, even if he cannot finish the full race distance.
Jonathan Fjeld of The Racing Experts stated, “Connor Zilisch is cleared to race in the NASCAR Xfinity Series after a collarbone injury in Victory Lane. He could start the race and have Kligerman take over, still earning points for the event.”
Connor Zilisch has this to say, “Two days after surgery, I wasn’t sure I’d be in a car in a month. By day four or five, things improved fast, thanks to the doctors and 10-plus crews. I’m already moving around with a full range of motion. Can I do 100+ laps? We’ll see. Parker’s ready as a backup. Depending on how my shoulders feel from past crashes, I might not run the full race.”
Daytona International Speedway will test Zilisch’s resilience and determination like never before. The high-speed, pack-racing environment is unforgiving. Coupled with a tight playoff points race, every lap becomes a high-stakes challenge.
How he performs this weekend could decide if he keeps his lead or gives rivals a chance to overtake him.
Daytona Showdown Highlights Championship Drama
Daytona has long been a track where a single lap can decide championships, and this weekend, all eyes will focus on Zilisch. The rookie sensation leads the points standings and dominates the season with six wins.
His recovery creates uncertainty about how long he can stay in the No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet. Each lap could affect the regular-season crown and reshape the playoff picture.
NASCAR noted, “Current championship leader and season’s winningest driver (six victories), Connor Zilisch, is expected to qualify and start the race. How many laps he completes will depend on his recovery after breaking his collarbone in a fall off his car while celebrating at Watkins Glen.”
Zilisch’s injury opens opportunities for his closest competitors. Justin Allgaier and Sam Mayer are separated from the leader by only 24 points, with Zilisch holding a slim seven-point advantage over Allgaier.
Both drivers are poised to capitalize if circumstances tilt in their favor. With Daytona’s notorious pack racing and drafting dynamics, the race could see a dramatic shake-up in the standings.
NASCAR added, “Zilisch, his JR Motorsports teammate Justin Allgaier, and Haas Factory Team’s Sam Mayer are separated by only 24 points in the competition for the regular-season title. Zilisch is ahead of Allgaier by only seven points.”
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