With double-digit wins in the NASCAR Xfinity Series this season, Connor Zilisch is without a doubt the favorite to clinch the title in Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway.
Being the fastest driver in Friday’s 50-minute practice session from the one-mile racetrack in Avondale, Arizona, would only help his case even more.
The 19-year-old rookie driver, who will be moving up to the NASCAR Cup Series with Trackhouse Racing in 2026, paced the field in the session on Friday, posting a lap time of 28.045 seconds (128.365mph).
PRACTICE RESULTS: NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship Race at Phoenix
Zilisch was the quickest driver over 2025 ARCA Menards Series champion Brenden “Butterbean” Queen, making his fifth and final start of the NASCAR Xfinity Series campaign for Kaulig Racing — who will pause its program in the second-tier division following Saturday’s event.
Jesse Love, another one of the Championship 4 contenders in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, was third-quickest in the session (the second-best of the title contenders). However, the Richard Childress Racing driver was better in several key indicators, like 5-lap, 10-lap, and 15-lap averages.
Corey Day was fourth, with Austin Hill rounding out the top-five. Hill and the No. 21 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing are also in a fight of their own for Saturday’s event, as they’re locked into the Championship 4 for the Owner’s Championship in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, courtesy of a victory at Talladega Superspeedway.
Sammy Smith was sixth with Aric Almirola, in a similar situation to that of Austin Hill, sitting in seventh in the No. 19 Toyota GR Supra for Joe Gibbs Racing. Brandon Jones was eighth, with Jeb Burton in ninth, and Nick Sanchez rounding out the top-10.
Justin Allgaier and Carson Kvapil, the other two NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship contenders from the JR Motorsports stable, were a little bit off from their teammate Connor Zilisch in Friday’s practice session, sitting 14th and 15th.
Qualifying for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway will take place on Saturday, November 1 at 3:30 PM ET on The CW. The race, which will decide the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion, will take place at 7:30 PM ET on Saturday.
