Zilisch

Xfinity Series Starting Lineup for the Mission 200 at the Glen

Sarah Talker

If there’s one thing that can be counted on in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, it’s the unpredictability of the starting lineup and the always-delightful chaos it brings. This year’s Mission 200 at The Glen is shaping up to deliver all the drama expected and deserved from a race weekend.

If fans are wondering who’s leading the pack, JR Motorsports’ Connor Zilisch decided to flex and grabbed the pole position with a lap time that wasn’t just a flex. It was practically showing off. A blistering 1:10.884 seconds and beating Shane van Gisbergen by half a second? That’s how you intimidate the rest of the lineup!

For all you chaotic yet neutral fans, Michael McDowell will be making a special appearance in the No. 11 Kaulig Racing machine. Starting 12th, he’s ready to shake things up because, well, Cup Series drivers dropping into Xfinity is always good, messy fun for everyone involved.

Why This Starting Lineup Shakes Up the Field

What’s fascinating about Watkins Glen’s starting lineup is the unique opportunities it presents for all drivers on the field. For the Mission 200, keeping an eye on Connor Zilisch and Shane van Gisbergen at the front will be critical. Zilisch’s confidence seems unprecedented, but van Gisbergen? He’s no stranger to mastering road courses.

However, don’t sleep on Taylor Gray in the No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. Gray is third in the lineup and could easily steal some thunder if things get a little tangled at the front. What would NASCAR be if cars didn’t accidentally bump-and-run while everyone watching loses their minds?

Breaking Down the Top Contenders

If we’re talking favorites outside pole sitter Zilisch, you’d have to include these names. Bookmark this section. Trust me.

Shane van Gisbergen

Look, nobody gets this far up in the starting lineup unless they can handle the treachery of Watkins Glen’s curves. If Zilisch struggles in the first few laps, SVG is ready to take over.

Sam Mayer

Quiet but lethal. This guy is fourth in the starting lineup and absolutely has the potential to eat the podium’s leftovers if any of the top three messes up.

William Sawalich

Fifth in the starting lineup in the JGR Toyota, Sawalich doesn’t have the same level of spotlight yet, but the talent is undeniable. Is he the underdog for Saturday? Probably. Can he win? Absolutely.

Keep your sights locked on the top 10 as well. If the front-running boys get too spicy with each other, because of course, drivers like Austin Hill and Justin Allgaier could step into the wreckage and walk away with some unexpected glory.

The Complete Starting Lineup

For the curiosity-driven fans and the stat lovers, here’s the complete starting lineup featuring who’s where for Saturday’s Watkins Glen showdown:

(i) indicates drivers ineligible for series driver points

  • 1. Connor Zilisch, No.88 (JR Motorsports, Chevrolet)
  • 2. Shane van Gisbergen, No.9 (JR Motorsports, Chevrolet)
  • 3. Taylor Gray, No. 54 (Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota)
  • 4. Sam Mayer, No. 41 (Haas Factory Team, Ford)
  • 5. William Sawalich, No. 18 (Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota)
  • 6. Sammy Smith, No. 8 (JR Motorsports, Chevrolet)
  • 7. Nick Sanchez, No. 48 (Big Machine Racing, Chevrolet)
  • 8. Kaz Grala, No. 24 (Sam Hunt Racing, Toyota)
  • 9. Justin Allgaier, No. 7 (JR Motorsports, Chevrolet)
  • 10. Austin Hill, No. 21 (Richard Childress Racing, Chevrolet)
  • 11. Sheldon Creed, No. 00 (Haas Factory Team, Ford)
  • 12. Michael McDowell (i), No. 11 (Kaulig Racing, Chevrolet)
  • 13. Brandon Jones, No. 20 (Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota)
  • 14. Carson Kvapil, No. 1 (JR Motorsports, Chevrolet)
  • 15. Jesse Love No. 2 (Richard Childress Racing, Chevrolet)
  • 16. Riley Herbst (i), No. 19 (Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota)
  • 17. Harrison Burton, No. 25 (AM Racing, Ford)
  • 18. Austin Green, No. 32 (Jordan Anderson Racing, Chevrolet)
  • 19. Dean Thompson, No. 26 (Sam Hunt Racing, Toyota)
  • 20. Anthony Alfredo, No. 42 (Young’s Motorsports, Chevrolet)
  • 21. Daniel Dye, No. 10 (Kaulig Racing, Chevrolet)
  • 22. Parker Retzlaff, No. 4 (Alpha Prime Racing, Chevrolet)
  • 23. Jeb Burton, No. 27 (Jordan Anderson Racing, Chevrolet)
  • 24. Matt DiBenedetto, No. 99 (Viking Motorsports, Chevrolet)
  • 25. Thomas Annunziata, No. 70 (Cope Family Racing, Chevrolet)
  • 26. Stefan Parsons (i), No. 45 (Alpha Prime Racing Chevrolet)
  • 27. Josh Bilicki, No. 91 (DGM Racing Chevrolet)
  • 28. Kyle Sieg, No. 28 (RSS Racing Ford)
  • 29. Ryan Sieg, No. 39 (RSS Racing Ford)
  • 30. Jeremy Clements, No. 51 (Jeremy Clements Racing, Chevrolet)
  • 31. Brennan Poole, No. 44 (Alpha Prime Racing, Chevrolet)
  • 32. Blaine Perkins, No. 31 (Jordan Anderson Racing, Chevrolet)
  • 33. Ryan Ellis, No. 71 (DGM Racing, Chevrolet)
  • 34. Preston Pardus, No. 07 (SS Green Light Racing, Ford)
  • 35. Glen Reen, No. 35 (Joey Gase Motorsports, Toyota)
  • 36. Christian Eckes, No. 16 (Kaulig Racing, Chevrolet)
  • 37. Garrett Smithley, No. 14 (SS Green Light Racing, Chevrolet)
  • 38. Austin J. Hill, No. 53 (Joey Gase Motorsports, Chevrolet)

Final Thoughts

Watkins Glen’s layout doesn’t leave much room for error. Miscalculated braking zones? Kiss your podium goodbye. A split-second of overconfidence? Hello wall! Fans demand chaos, after all. The real joy of starting lineups like this one lies not just in the sheer talent on display. It’s also the unspoken knowledge that, by Lap 20, these carefully earned positions could become little more than a memory.

 

Sarah is a writer with a passion for delivering interesting yet informative news stories about motorsports including NASCAR, IMSA, F1, and IndyCar. She has covered the Daytona 500 and the Wurth 400 live and is highly passionate about sharing her knowledge and expertise across the motorsports industry.

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