The Xfinity Series kicks off a doubleheader weekend at World Wide Technology Raceway Nu Way 200 Sauced by Blues Hog near St. Louis.
The Xfinity Series returns to the 1.25 mile track of WWTR after a 15 year absence.
This is the final race of the regular season for the Xfinity Series. The field will be set for the playoffs at the end of the race.
The biggest story in the playoff race is which of the Burton cousins will make it in with Harrison and Jeb straddling the cut line.
Connor Zilisch has a 20 point lead on reigning champion Justin Allgaier.
Eight drivers have secured spots in the playoffs with race wins.
The full field of 38 drivers get a full 50 minute practice session on Friday afternoon before qualifying on Saturday afternoon to set the field for the race on Saturday night.
Kole Raz is the first driver on the track to make a qualifying run and posted a time of 33.778 seconds.
Setting a new track record, Aric Almirola posted a time of 33.133 seconds.
And Taylor Gray broke the record with a time of 33.033 seconds.
And along comes Sam Mayer, the first driver to break the 30 second mark to set yet another track record at 32.981 seconds.
William Sawlich is the fourth driver to break the track record with a time of 32.963.
Nick Sanchez beats out William Sawalich for a new track record by one thousandth of a second with a time of 32.962 seconds.
And putting his number 88 on the pole again, Connor Zilisch breaks the record with a time of 32.935 seconds with William Sawalich starting alongside on the front row.
The starting lineup for the Nu Way 200 Sauced by Blues Hog:
Connor Zilisch
Nick Sanchez
William Sawalich
Sam Mayer
Taylor Gray
Harrison Burton
Aric Almirola
Carson Kvapil
Austin Hill
Christian Eckes
Daniel Dye
Brandon Jones
Ryan Sieg
Justin Allgaier
Sheldon Creed
Corey Day
Daniel Hemric
Jesse Love
Jeb Burton
Kyle Sieg
Anthony Alfredo
Sammy Smith
Matt DiBenedetto
Kole Raz
Blaine Perkins
Parker Retzlaff
Brennan Poole
Jordan Anderson
Thomas Anunnziata
Dean Thompson
Jeremy Clements
Ryan Ellis
Garrett Smithley
Nick Leitz
Glen Reen
Lavar Scott
Matt Mills
Joey Gase
Stages one and two are 35 laps each with stage three lasting 90 laps for a total of 160 laps (200 miles) around the 1.25 mile track.
Dean Thompson will have to start the race from the back of the field in a backup car after getting into the wall during practice.
Connor Zilisch brings the field down for the green flag start of the race with Nick Sanchez alongside. Sanchez edges out for the lead from the inside lane but Connor Zilisch takes the lead on the backstretch.
The top five are Connor Zilisch, Nick Sanchez, William Sawalich, Sam Mayer, and Taylor Gray.
Lap three, Aric Almirola passes Taylor Gray for fifth, but Gray retakes the spot.
Lap four, Justin Allgaier makes it a three way battle and takes eighth.
William Sawalich passes Nick Sanchez for second; Connor Zilisch has pulled out to a lead of over a second.
Lap seven, the top five are Connor Zilisch, William Sawalich, Sam Mayer, Aric Almirola, and Nick Sanchez.
Lap 10, Justin Allgaier passes Harrison Burton for seventh.
Lap 13, Connor Zilisch holds a one second lead on William Sawalich; Sam Mayer, Aric Almirola, and Nick Sanchez round out the top five.
Lap 17, Connor Zilisch has a lead of over a second on William Sawalich; Aric Almirola, Sam Mayer, and Justin Allgaier round out the top five.
Lap 21, Jesse Love passes Harrison Burton for 10th place.
Lap 24, Justin Allgaier battles with Sam Mayer for fourth and takes the spot.
Aric Almirola passes William Sawalich for second.
Lap 28, Connor Zilisch has a two second lead on Aric Almirola; William Sawalich, Justin Allgaier, and Sam Mayer round out the top five.
Nick Sanchez passes Sam Mayer for fifth.
With five laps remaining in stage one, Aric Almirola has closed the gap on leader Connor Zilisch to under a second and a half.
The caution flag comes out on lap 34 when Jordan Anderson gets into the wall. He gets out of a heavily smoking car
Stage one ends with a caution flag. Connor Zilisch wins stage one for nine stage wins this season.
The top 10 at the end of stage one:
Connor Zilisch
Aric Almirola
William Sawalich
Justin Allgaier
Nick Sanchez
Sam Mayer
Austin Hill
Jesse Love
Taylor Gray
Christian Eckes
The drivers come down pit road for service with William Sawalich winning the race off of pit road.
Carson Kvapil is out of the race with unknown issues. He has locked himself into the playoffs on points.
William Sawalich brings the field down for the green flag start of stage two with Austin Hill alongside on lap 44. Sawalich takes the lead. In a three wide battle, Justin Allgaier takes second; Connor Zilisch, Aric Almirola, and Austin Hill round out the top five.
Lap 47, Justin Allgaier comes up on the inside to pass William Sawalich to take the lead.
The top five are Justin Allgaier, William Sawalich, Aric Almirola, Connor Zilisch, and Austin Hill.
Lap 50, Aric Almirola passes William Sawalich for second.
This is career start number 100 for Parker Retzlaff.
Lap 53, Justin Allgaier has a one second lead on Aric Almirola; Connor Zilisch, William Sawalich, and Jesse Love round out the top five.
Sam Mayer passes Jesse Love for fifth.
Lap 57, Aric Almirola has closed the gap on leader Justin Allgaier to just half a second.
Nine laps remain in stage two, Justin Allgaier holds on to the lead with Arick Almirola less than half a second back; Connor Zilisch, William Sawalich, and Jesse Love round out the top five.
Just six laps remaining in stage two, Aric Almirola has begun to challenge Justin Allgaier for the lead.
The cousins Harrison continue their battle for the final playoff spot.
Lap 67, Arick Almirola battles with Justin Allgaier for the lead and nearly wreck.
Leaders have encountered slower traffic.
Justin Allgaier wins stage two.
The top 10 at the end of stage two:
Justin Allgaier
Aric Almirola
Connor Zilisch
William Sawalich
Jesse Love
Austin Hill
Brandon Jones
Christian Eckes
Nick Sanchez
Sam Mayer
Drivers come down pit road for service Connor Zilisch wins the race off of pit road with William Sawalich in second, and Justin Allgaier in third.
Justin Allgaier was caught speeding on pit road and will have to restart the race from the back of the field.
Connor Zilisch brings the field down for the green flag start of stage three from the outside lane on lap 83 with William Sawalich alongside. Zilisch takes the lead as drivers spread out three wide.
Connor Zilisch leads the race with Jesse Love in second; William Sawlich, Aric Almirola, and Brandon Jones rounding out the top five.
With 77 laps remaining in the race, Justin Allgaier is in 24th place.
Lap 125, Connor Zilisch has less than half a second lead on Jesse Love; William Sawalich, Aric Almirola, and Brandon Jones round out the top five.
Justin Allgaier has entered the top 20.
Seventy laps to go, Connor Zilisch has pulled out to a lead of over half a second on Jesse Love; Aric Almirola, William Sawalich, and Brandon Jones round out the top five. Justin Allgaier is up to 16th.
Ryan Sieg got loose but saved the car and the track stays green.
Jesse Love has some debris on his grille.
With 67 laps to go, Justin Allgaier has entered the top 15; over 10 seconds behind the leader.
Drivers cannot complete the race without making a stop for fuel.
Lap 135, Connor Zilisch has pulled out to a lead of over a second on Jesse Love.
Aric Almirola passes Jesse Love for second.
Sixty laps to go, Connor Zilisch has a second anda half lead on Aric Almirola.
Austin Hill and Brandon Jones nearly wreck each other.
Harrison and Jeb Burton continue their battle.
Justin Allgaier is up to 13th.
Lap 145, Connor Zilisch has increased his lead to over a second and a half on Aric Almirola; Jesse Love, William Sawalich, and Brandon Jones round out the top five. Justin Allgaier is just outside the top 10 in 12th.
The caution flag comes out on lap 149 when Jeb Burton gets into the wall hard with a tire issue. He is driving down the track throwing sparks and the car catches on fire.
Sheldon Creed has secured a spot in the playoffs on points.
The drivers come down pit road for service with Connor Zilisch winning the race off of pit road.
Connor Zilisch brings the field down for the green flag restart with Aric Almirola alongside with 41 laps to go. Zilisch edges out in front but Aric Almirola wis right there. Drivers are getting three wide in a battle for position.
NASCAR reported that the restart is under review.
Forty laps to go, Connor Zilisch has a near one second lead on Jesse Love; Aric Almirola, Brandon Jones, and Sheldon Creed round out the top five.
NASCAR reports that the restart is good.
Out of the care center, Jeb Burton reports that he had no indication of a tire issue; adding that it was a hard hit.
With 34 laps remaining in the race, Connor Zilisch has a second and a half lead on Jesse Love; Aric Almirola, Brandon Jones, and Sheldon Creed round out the top five.
The caution flag comes out with 32 when Harrison Burton spins out with lost of smoke. He kept the car off the wall and gets the car going again.
Austin Hill comes down pit road reporting handling issues.
Sammy Smith is on pit road wit the hood up after reports of brake issues.
The teams each had three sets of fresh tires for the race.
Justin Allgaier has some damage to his car after contact during the last restart.
Connor Zilisch brings the field down for the green flag restart with just 26 laps remaining in the race with Jesse Love alongside. Zilisch takes the lead but a big checkup brings out the caution flag. Nick Sanchez, Sheldon Creed, Corey Day, Dean Thompson, Kyle Sieg, Ryan Sieg, Sam Mayer, Justin Allgaier, Jeremy Clements, and Taylor Gray were all among those involved in the wreck.
Sam Mayer is out of the race.
Connor Zilisch brings the field down for the green flag restart with Jesse Love alongside with just 18 laps remaining in the race. Zilisch gets out in front with the drivers getting three wide through the field.
The caution flag comes out with 17 laps to go for debris on the track.
Connor Zilisch brings the field down once again for the green flag restart with Aric Almirola alongside. Ther are just 12 laps remaining in the race. Zilisch and Almirola battle for the lead. Zilisch gets out in front with a three way battle for second.
Eleven to go, the top five are Connor Zilisch, William Sawalich, Aric Almirola, Brandon Jones, and Jesse Love.
Eight to go, Connor Zilisch has a near one second lead on William Sawalich; Christian Eckes, Brandon Jones, and Aric Almirola round out the top five.
Five to go, Connor Zilisch holds a near one second lead on William Sawalich. Jesse Love passes Aric Almirola for fifth.
Connor Zilisch takes the white flag.
After leading over 100 laps, Connor Zilisch wins the race…and the regular season championship. This is his fourth win in a row and his ninth of the season!
Oh, and he has a plate in his shoulder after breaking his collarbone less than a month ago.
He comes out the roof hatch to celebrate.
The unofficial results of the race:
Connor Zilisch
William Sawalich
Christian Eckes
Brandon Jones
Jesse Love
Aric Almirola
Daniel Hemric
Parker Retzlaff
Corey Day
Daniel Dye
Matt DiBenedetto
Austin Hill
Anthony Alfredo
Brennan Poolel
Jeremy Clements
Dean Thompson
Taylor Gray
Ryan Ellis
Larar Scott
Thomas Anunnziata
Matt Mills
Harrison Burton
Blaine Perkins
Kyle Sieg
Nick Sanchez
Joey Gase
Ryan Sieg
Justin Allgaier
Nick Leitz
Sheldon Creed
Glen Reen
Garrett Smithley
Sammy Smith
Kole Raz
Sam Mayer
Jeb Burton
Carson Kvapil
Jordan Anderson
And the playoffs are set…
Connor Zilisch
Justin Allgaier
Sam Mayer
Jesse Love
Brandon Jones
Sammy Smith
Nick Sanchez
Taylor Gray
Carson Kvapil
Sheldon Creed
Harrison Burton
Austin Hill
Connor Zilisch goes into the playoffs with 59 playoff points!