NASCAR

NASCAR Xfinity Series Hard Rock Bet 300: Qualifying, Taylor Gray’s Pole Position, Lineup At Homestead-Miami Speedway  

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Jeff Hawkins
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Jeff Hawkins Sports Editor

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

Sports Editor

Published22 Mar 2025

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NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Taylor Gray will lead the field to green for the first time Saturday. 

Turning the top qualifying lap at 163.32 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Gray earned his first pole in his national series career. The fifth-year driver will make his 19th Xfinity start Saturday and participated in 56 Truck Series outings.  

Competing full-time on the Xfinity circuit for the first time, Gray entered the Hard Rock Bet 300 ranked No. 7 in the driver standings, compiling three top-10 finishes in five events this season. 

Connor Zilisch will start on the outside of the front row and Justin Allgaier, who captured the checkered flag last Saturday, will start third. 

Kyle Larson, who claimed the Truck Series event Friday night, turned the fastest practice lap at 162.96 mph. The 2021 Cup champion qualified 17th. 

Dawson Cram did not qualify. 

NASCAR Xfinity Series Teams Facing Fines 

Following last Saturday’s event at Las Vegas, three organizations faced fines for loose lug nuts following post-race inspections. 

Kaulig Racing’s No. 11 team, Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 19 unit, and Sam Hunt Racing’s No. 26 squad were each fined $5,000 for the infractions. 

In other pit-crew news, Chris Jackson, a member of Viking Motorsports’ No. 99 crew, and Garrett Crall, a member of Our Motorsports No. 5 unit, will serve new roles for Kyle Busch’s No. 8 Chevrolet team. Jackson will serve as a Cup rear changer and Crall as a jackman.

Starting Lineup for NASCAR Xfinity Series’ Hard Rock Bet 300   

Here is a look at the lineup for Sunday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series’ Hard Rock Bet 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway:    

Starting Position, Driver, Car No. 

  • 1, Taylor Gray, No. 54 Toyota 
  • 2, Connor Zilisch, No. 88 Chevrolet 
  • 3, Nick Sanchez, No. 48 Chevrolet 
  • 4, Justin Allgaier, No. 7 Chevrolet 
  • 5, Christian Eckes, No. 16 Chevrolet 
  • 6, Sam Mayer, No. 41 Ford 
  • 7, Justin Bonsignore, No. 19 Toyota 
  • 8, Ryan Seig, No. 39 Ford  
  • 9, Sheldon Creed, No. 00 Ford 
  • 10, Matt DiBenedetto, No. 99 Chevrolet 
  • 11, Josh Williams/Ty Dillon, No. 11 Chevrolet  
  • 12, Harrison Burton, No. 25 Ford  
  • 13, William Sawalich, No. 18 Toyota 
  • 14, Carson Kvapil, No. 1 Chevrolet 
  • 15, Sammy Smith, No. 8 Chevrolet 
  • 16, Blaine Perkins, No. 31 Chevrolet 
  • 17, Kyle Larson, No. 17 Chevrolet 
  • 18, Parker Retzlaff, No. 4 Chevrolet 
  • 19, Brennan Poole, No. 44 Chevrolet 
  • 20, Jesse Love, No. 2 Chevrolet 
  • 21, Austin Hill, No. 21 Chevrolet 
  • 22, Jeremy Clements, No. 51 Chevrolet 
  • 23, Jeb Burton, No. 27 Chevrolet 
  • 24, Dean Thompson, No. 26 Toyota 
  • 25, Anthony Alfedo, No. 42 Chevrolet 
  • 26, Brad Perez, No. 45 Chevrolet 
  • 27, Kyle Seig, No. 28 Ford  
  • 28, Ryan Ellis, No. 71 Chevrolet 
  • 29, Myatt Snider, No. 91 Chevrolet 
  • 30, Daniel Dye, No. 10 Chevrolet 
  • 31, Corey Heim, No. 24 Toyota 
  • 32, Patrick Emerling, No. 07 Chevrolet 
  • 33, Leland Honeyman, No. 70 Chevrolet 
  • 34, Dawson Cram, No. 74 Chevrolet 
  • 35, Mason Maggio, No. 53 Ford 
  • 36, Joey Gase, No. 35 Chevrolet 
  • 37, Kris Wright, No. 5 Chevrolet 
  • 38, Garrett Smithley, No. 14 Chevrolet

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Jeff Hawkins
Sports Editor

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

Author photo
Jeff Hawkins Sports Editor

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 All posts by Jeff Hawkins