NASCAR Xfinity Series BetMGM 300: Qualifying, Pole Position, Lineup At Charlotte Motor Speedway

The CW pit-row reporter tried to get Taylor Gray to smile. 

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver didn’t fall for the on-air ploy. “I don’t like to smile,” he said after capturing the pole position for Saturday’s BetMGM 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. 

Gray may not have smiled, but he did flash a smirk after earning his second career pole. He clocked a hot qualifying lap of 175.482 mph, edging runner-up Connor Zilisch during his debut at the 1.5-mile quad oval. The pole was the 200th for Joe Gibbs Racing. 

The Xfinity Series has been off since May 3 when Gray finished second to Kyle Larson at Texas. 

Zilisch missed out on Saturday’s pole after the No. 88 Chevrolet “got away from me” along Turns 3-4.

Over the past 12 Xfinity outings at Charlotte, 12 drivers have visited Victory Lane.

Time to set the stage!

Kennametal Pole Qualifying is live on @TheCW_Sports App. pic.twitter.com/wM7b1HHFBo

— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) May 24, 2025

Cup Regular Kyle Busch To Return To RCR in 2026 

Despite recent struggles on the Cup circuit, Kyle Busch and Richard Childress Racing announced Saturday that the sides have agreed to remain together through 2026. 

The option on Busch’s deal for next season has been picked up, RCR announced. He enters Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 ranked No. 17 in the drivers’ standings, the first spot outside the playoff field. 

Busch, 40, a two-time Cup champion, is in his third season with RCR and has been winless since 2023. 

RCR teammate Austin Dillon said he will enjoy having the veteran around the garage through next season.  

“I feel like he gives you what you expect, which is that he’s a hard worker,” Dillon told NBC Sports. “He’s a fiery. He wants the best for the cars. He wants to get to victory lane constantly and will push everyone to figure out how to make that happen, even himself on the track. 

“But as far as being in the meetings with him after practice and, you know, on Monday’s and the debriefs, he’s very helpful. You know, he asks good questions at the right time about what your car is doing and he provides information that you can make your car better off of. 

“So from that standpoint, you couldn’t ask for a more helpful teammate when it comes to his knowledge of the game and what he is providing from an informational standpoint.” 

A 2009 Xfinity Series champion, Busch ed 102 wins and 226 top-five finishes in 367 career starts.

It is rumored that Kyle Busch has signed a contract extension with Richard Childress Racing for 2026 and beyond. Busch has an announcement scheduled for Saturday 🤔 pic.twitter.com/uW9lmQs1XL

— KFB Nation 🏁 (@KFB_Nation) May 22, 2025

Starting Lineup For BetMGM 300    

Here is a look at the lineup for Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series’ BetMGM 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway: 

Starting Position, Driver, Car No.

•  1, Taylor Gray, No. 54 Toyota
• 2, Connor Zilischk, No. 88 Chevrolet
• 3, Austin Hill, No. 21 Chevrolet
• 4, William Byron, No. 17 Chevrolet
• 5, Brandon Jones, No. 20 Toyota
• 6, William Sawalich, No. 18 Toyota
• 7, Ryan Sieg, No. 39 Ford
• 8, Sheldon Creed, No. 00 Ford
• 9, Chase Briscoe, No. 19 Toyota
• 10, Justin Allgaier, No. 7 Chevrolet
• 11, Sam Mayer, No. 41 Ford
• 12, Carson Kvapil, No. 1 Chevrolet
• 13, Sammy Smith, No. 8 Chevrolet
• 14, Jeb Burton, No. 27 Chevrolet
• 15, Christian Eckes, No. 16 Chevrolet
• 16, Matt DiBenedetto, No. 99 Chevrolet
• 17, Anthony Alfredo, No. 42 Chevrolet
• 18, Nick Sanchez, No. 48 Chevrolet
• 19, Jesse Love, No. 2 Chevrolet
• 20, Austin Dillon, No. 3 Chevrolet
• 21, Blaine Perkins, No. 31 Chevrolet
• 22, Jeremy Clements, No. 51 Chevrolet
• 23, Dean Thompson, No. 26 Toyota
• 24, Daniel Dye, No. 10 Chevrolet
• 25, Harrison Burton, No. 25 Ford
• 26, Brennan Poole, No. 44 Chevrolet
• 27, Josh Williams, No. 11 Chevrolet
• 28, Kyle Sieg, No. 28 Ford
• 29, JJ Yeley, No. 53 Chevrolet
• 30, Ryan Ellis, No. 71 Chevrolet
• 31, Leland Honeyman, No. 70 Chevrolet
• 32, Katherine Legge, No. 32 Chevrolet
• 33, Kris Wright, No. 5 Chevrolet
• 34, Parker Retzlaff, No. 4 Chevrolet
• 35, Garrett Smithley, No. 14 Chevrolet
• 36, Brad Perez, No. 45 Chevrolet
• 37, Nick Leitz, No. 07 Chevrolet
• 38, CJ McLaughlin, No. 91 Chevrolet

The starting grid for today's #XfinitySeries race at @CLTMotorSpdwy! pic.twitter.com/knJ1L6PSSG

— The CW Sports (@TheCW_Sports) May 24, 2025