What’s Happening?
On this late July Saturday, after a string of road courses, we’re back to turning left. This weekend, the NASCAR Xfinity Series returned to the truest of ovals in the concrete jungle of Dover Motor Speedway. This race weekend has become popular among New England locals as we only go there once a year. Several drivers were thrilled with this return, including points leader Justin Allgaier. The No. 7 crew struggled on the road courses the last couple of weeks. They were looking to get back on track this weekend at The Monster Mile. Meanwhile, his teammate Connor Zilisch is fresh off a win in Sonoma. He was hoping to continue his momentum today and prove that his “oval” win at Pocono was no fluke.
Continuing with the JRM narrative, SVG dominated the last two weeks in the JRM No. 9 entry. This week, the ride returned with Ross Chastain behind the wheel. But for JRM to continue their dominance, they were going to have to beat the JGR cars here today. All four of them were bad fast. How did it all shake out once the checkered flag flew? Let’s break it down. Here’s everything that happened in the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Dover Motor Speedway.
Fast Notes:
- Starting on the pole for today’s race was JGR driver Taylor Gray. Gray has been impressive this year and has shown some speed at times. Was the rookie able to score his first career victory and punch his ticket to the NASCAR Playoffs? His fellow rookie, Nick Sanchez, shared the front row. He was looking for his second win of the year.
- Connor Zilisch has gotten used to winning lately. He has an average finish of 2.4 in the last two weeks. He rolled off 3rd today and was hoping to score his second oval win. Meanwhile, his Trackhouse teammate Ross Chastain was in the JRM No. 9 all-star entry. Daniel Suarez won in that car in Mexico. SVG got it done in the streets of Chicago. Was today the Melon Man’s day to shine?
- Defending his crown at his home track was Ryan Truex. The younger Truex won this race the last two years, both of those wins coming in the JGR No. 19 Toyota. This time around, he was sporting the Sam Hunt Racing No. 24 Toyota. He rolled off in 32nd.
- Riley Herbst was supposed to be in JGR’s No. 19 entry. However, the Monster Energy racing driver opted to sit this one out. In his place was veteran Aric Almirola. Almirola already has one win this year. That car won here the last two years. Did he get it done today?
Connor Zilisch Goes 2 in a Row in Rain Shortened Race
Zilisch once again won the race off the pit road. The race restarted, and Zilisch maintained the lead with the threat of rain drawing near. On Lap 132, the caution flag waved as rain started to pour into the track. Subsequently, the race was halted, and the cars were brought down pit road. Zilisch led and was perhaps facing his fourth win of the season. NASCAR did their best to get back to racing. Unfortunately, the rain settled in and darkness became an issue. Officially, the race ends just over 70 laps shy of the finish. Connor Zilisch captures his fourth win of the season.
Taylor Gray Leads Dominating JGR Drivers to Win Stage 1
Taylor Gray started the race from the pole, and very quickly, the JGR cars marched their way to the front. But it was the rookie in the No. 54 that led the whole way to win the opening stage. He led Almirola, Brandon Jones, and Connor Zilisch. With this stage win, Gray earns 10 points and a bonus Playoff point. This would prove to be very valuable as he entered today’s race +22 over the Playoff cutline.
Stage 1 Top 10
- 1st: 54-Taylor Gray (10 pts + 1 Playoff pt)
- 2nd: 19-Aric Almirola (9 pts)
- 3rd: 20-Brandon Jones (8 pts)
- 4th: 88-Connor Zilisch (7 pts)
- 5th: 9-Ross Castain (i)
- 6th: 48-Nick Sanchez (5 pts)
- 7th: 7-Justin Allgaier (4 pts)
- 8th: 18-William Sawalich (3 pts)
- 9th: 2-Jesse Love (2 pts)
- 10th: 00-Sheldon Creed (1 pt)
Connor Zilisch Snags Stage 2
A slow pit stop during the stage break dropped Taylor Gray out of the top 10. He was unable to recover to gain more stage points in the second stage. Connor Zilisch won the race off pit road. This put him in the lead and in prime position to dominate the stage. He did exactly that. Zilisch won the second stage, collecting 10 points and a bonus Playoff point.
Stage 2 Top 10
- 1st: 88-Connor Zilisch (17 pts + 1 Playoff pt)
- 2nd: 19-Aric Almirola (18 pts)
- 3rd: 20-Brandon Jones (16 pts)
- 4th: 7-Justin Allgaier (11 pts)
- 5th: 39-Ryan Sieg (6 pts)
- 6th: 9-Ross Castain (i)
- 7th: 2-Jesse Love (6 pts)
- 8th: 00-Sheldon Creed (4 pts)
- 9th: 18-William Sawalich (5 pts)
- 10th: 21-Austin Hill (1 pt)
Brandon Jones Clocks the Xfinity Fastest Lap
Scoring the bonus point for the Xfinity Fastest Lap was the JGR driver of the No. 20 Toyota, Brandon Jones. He is awarded an extra point, bringing total for the day up to 55 total points.
Unofficial Race Results
The following are the unofficial race results following the checkered flag for the Xfinity Series race at Dover Motor Speedway. This list will be updated once they become official following post-race inspection
Winner: 88-Connor Zilisch (57 pts + 6 Playoff pts)
- 2nd: 19-Aric Almirola (57 pts)
- 3rd: 20-Brandon Jones (54 pts +1 Xfinity Fastest Lap pt)
- 4th: 7-Justin Allgaier (48 pts)
- 5th: 2-Jesse Love (42 pts)
- 6th: 39-Ryan Sieg (41 pts)
- 7th: 54-Taylor Gray (44 pts + 1 Playoff pt)
- 8th: 00-Sheldon Creed (37 pts)
- 9th: 18-William Sawalich (37 pts)
- 10th: 16-Christian Eckes (31 pts)
- 11th: 25-Harrison Burton (30 pts)
- 12th: 41-Sam Mayer (29 pts)
- 13th: 21-Austin Hill (29 pts)
- 14th: 99-Matt DiBenedetto (27 pts)
- 15th: 1-Carson Kvapil (26 pts)
- 16th: 26-Dean Thompson (25 pts)
- 17th: 17-Jake Finch (i)
- 18th: 24-Ryan Truex (23 pts)
- 19th: 4-Parker Retzlaff (22 pts)
- 20th: 27-Jeb Burton (21 pts)
- 21st: 10-Daniel Dye (20 pts)
- 22nd: 32-Rajah Caruth (i)
- 23rd: 42-Anthony Alfredo (18 pts)
- 24th: 8-Sammy Smith (17 pts)
- 25th: 44-Brennan Poole (16 pts)
- 26th: 51-Jeremy Clements (15 pts)
- 27th: 11-Josh Williams (14 pts)
- 28th: 45-Lavar Scott (i)
- 29th: 70-Leland Honeyman (12 pts)
- 30th: 71-Ryan Ellis (11 pts)
- 31st: 5-Kaz Grala (i)
- 32nd: 31-Blaine Perkins (9 pts)
- 33rd: 07-Nick Leitz (8 pts)
- 34th: 91-Josh Bilicki (7 pts)
- 35th: 14-Garett Smithley (6 pts)
- 36th: 28-Kyle Sieg (5 pts)
- 37th: 48-Nick Sanchez (9 pts)
- 38th: 9-Ross Chastain (i)
Lap Leaders
- 88-Connor Zilisch (77 Laps Led)
- 54-Taylor Gray (49 Laps Led)
- 20-Brandon Jones (5 Laps Led)
- 28-Kyle Sieg (3 Laps Led)
Xfinity Series Playoff Picture
After Dover, Connor Zilisch picked up the number 1 seed with his 4th win of the season. The following is who’s currently in the postseason based on wins, on points, and who’s on the outside looking in. Check it out.
The Winners
- 1st: 88-Connor Zilisch (4 Wins)
- 2nd: 7-Justin Allgaier (3 Wins)
- 3rd: 21-Austin Hill (3 Wins)
- 4th: 20-Brandon Jones (1 Win)
- 5th: 2-Jesse Love (1 Win)
- 6th: 8-Sammy Smith (1 Win)
- 7th: 48-Nich Sanchez (1 Win)
Above the Cutline
- 8th: 41-Sam Mayer (+162)
- 9th: 1-Carson Kvapil (+86)
- 10th: 00-Sheldon Creed (+61)
- 11th: 54-Taylor Gray (+36)
- 12th: 27-Jeb Burton (+7)
Below the Cutline
- 13th: 25-Harrison Burton (-7)
- 14th: 39-Ryan Sieg (-30)
- 15th: 26-Dean Thompson (-62)
- 16th: 16-Christian Eckes (-71)
Sign Off
Unfortunately, Mother Nature had the final word on the Xfinity Series race today. Connor Zilisch wins his second oval race, second race in a row, and overall 5th career victory. What did you think of this race, Daily Downforce readers? Let us know what you think! Join the discussion on Discord or X, and remember to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for more updates.
