NASCAR
Healed Connor Zilisch Serves Cup Notice; Justin Allgaier Returns With Top NASCAR Xfinity Series’ Drivers Title Odds
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He ed the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on Get to know Jeff Hawkins better
Published20 May 2025
After nearly three weeks off, a healed Connor Zilisch looks to continue his quest to earn the NASCAR Xfinity Series’ rookie of the year honors. This weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway, though, the teenage phenom is also setting his sights on becoming the youngest Cup Series driver to win a Cup event.
Sidelined since injuring his back during a hard crash at Talladega on April 26, Zilisch, who ranks 12th in the Xfinity drivers’ standings, is scheduled to race in Saturday’s BetMGM 300 and Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600.
Zilisch, 18, sat out as Kyle Larson won driving his No. 88 Chevrolet at Texas on May 3, the series’ last outing.
The Cup outing will be Zilisch’s second. During his shortened debut at Circuit of The Americas, he was taken out by Trackhouse Racing teammate Daniel Suarez.
In 15 career Xfinity starts for JR Motorsports, Zilisch collected two wins. He received a medial waiver for the Texas race.
On his X (Twitter) , Zilisch posted: “I’m back.
“My back is all healed up and I’m ready for a big weekend at Charlotte. Big thanks to everyone who helped me get back so soon!”
Happy Connor Zilisch Cup Series Race Week to those that celebrate pic.twitter.com/KFu6iSamLF
— 𝙆𝙋🦩 (@Andrettism) May 19, 2025
Xfinity’s Series Turning Into Power Trio
After a two-week hiatus, most Xfinity Series insiders expect Justin Allgaier, Austin Hill, and Sam Mayer to continue forming the circuit’s power trio.
Through 12 events, Allgaier (8), Hill (7) and Mayer (6) combined to collect 21 top-five finishes. Mayer, meanwhile, has yet to visit Victory Lane and has compiled just one playoff point.
Entering Saturday’s event at the 1.5-mile quad oval, Allgaier (+240) earned the top sports-betting odds to capture the title, according to BetOnline Sportsbook. Hill (+400) was tabbed with the second-best odds, followed by Zilisch (+425).
🏁 Today, we had an incredible time unveiling Justin Allgaier’s JR Motorsports #7 — proudly featuring the DECA logo front and center on the hood!
Huge thanks to everyone who came out to , and to @JRMotorsports , @J_Allgaier pic.twitter.com/JLk1qjlMkG
— Defense Commissary Agency (@YourCommissary) May 14, 2025
2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series Drivers’ Championship Odds
Here is a Week 13 look at the drivers’ odds for the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series drivers’ championship, according to BetOnline Sportsbook:
| Driver | 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship Odds |
|---|---|
| Justin Allgaier | +240 |
| Austin Hill | +400 |
| Connor Zilisch | +425 |
| Jesse Love | +600 |
| Sam Mayer | +700 |
| Sheldon Creed | +900 |
| Sammy Smith | +1400 |
| Brandon Jones | +1400 |
| Taylor Gray | +2000 |
| Carson Kvapil | +2000 |
| Ryan Sieg | +4000 |
| Nicholas Sanchez | +5000 |
| William Sawalich | +5000 |
| Christian Eckes | +5000 |
| Harrison Burton | +6600 |
| Jeb Burton | +6600 |
| Parker Retzlaff | +12500 |
| Daniel Dye | +12500 |
| Matt DiBenedetto | +15000 |
| Josh Williams | +20000 |
| Jeremy Clements | +20000 |
| Dean Thompson | +20000 |
| Blaine Perkins | +25000 |
| Ryan Ellis | +25000 |
| Kyle Sieg | +30000 |
| Leland Honeyman Jr. | +50000 |
| Kris Wright | +50000 |
| Garrett Smithley | +50000 |
| Brennan Poole | +50000 |
*-Odds current at time of publication
