NASCAR Xfinity Series Entry List Reveals Championship Drama at Gateway

The NASCAR Xfinity Series heads to World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway for what promises to be one of the most dramatic regular-season finales in recent memory. With the Nu Way 200 Sauced by Blues Hog set for Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. ET on the CW Network, the championship contenders are sweating bullets as they prepare for the final push toward the playoffs.

Walking through the garage area this weekend, you can feel the tension crackling like electricity before a thunderstorm. Every conversation between crew members carries extra weight, every practice lap matters more than usual, and every driver knows that one mistake could end their championship dreams before the playoffs even begin.

Entry List Shows Championship Fight Coming Down to the Wire

The official Xfinity Series entry list for Saturday’s race tells the story of a season that’s refused to follow any script. JR Motorsports teammates Connor Zilisch and Justin Allgaier find themselves separated by just 20 points in the battle for the Regular Season Championship. That’s close enough that either driver could claim the crown with a strong performance under the lights at Gateway.

Zilisch, the 19-year-old from Mooresville, North Carolina, carries the confidence that comes from running up front all season long. His No. 88 WeatherTech Chevrolet has been a consistent threat week after week, and crew chief Mardy Lindley has this team clicking on all cylinders when it matters most.

Meanwhile, Allgaier brings the veteran savvy that comes from understanding exactly what it takes to close out a championship fight. The 39-year-old Illinois native has been through these pressure-packed moments before, and his No. 7 BRANDT Chevrolet team knows how to perform when the stakes are highest.

Playoff Picture Creates Desperate Scenarios for Bubble Drivers

Harrison Burton sits in what should be a comfortable position, holding a 31-point cushion above the Xfinity Series playoff cutline. But anyone who’s followed NASCAR long enough knows that “comfortable” doesn’t exist when you’re racing for a championship. Burton’s No. 25 DEX Imaging – Dead On Tools Ford will carry the weight of expectation Saturday night, knowing that a solid finish locks him into the postseason, while a disaster could open the door for chaos.

That chaos would benefit Jeb Burton, Harrison’s cousin, who currently finds himself as the first driver outside the 12-driver playoff grid. The 33-year-old Virginia native has been knocking on Victory Lane’s door all season with Jordan Anderson Racing, and his No. 27 Onder Law Injury Attorneys Chevrolet represents the hopes of every team that’s been close but not quite close enough in 2025. The mathematics are brutal but simple. Jeb needs something special to happen Saturday night, either through his own performance or misfortune for those ahead of him in the standings.

Cup Series Veterans Bring Star Power to Gateway Entry List

Daniel Hemric’s Xfinity Series presence in the No. 11 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet adds another layer of intrigue to Saturday’s entry list. The Truck Series Playoffs driver brings Cup Series experience and a hunger to prove he belongs in Victory Lane at every level of NASCAR competition. Hemric’s not eligible for championship points, but that makes him dangerous in a different way.

Without the pressure of point calculations, he can race with the kind of freedom that creates unpredictable moments, which is exactly the kind of wildcard that playoff contenders fear most. Aric Almirola’s appearance in the No. 19 Younglife Toyota shows that Joe Gibbs Racing isn’t taking anything for granted in the regular season finale. The 41-year-old Tampa native brings decades of experience and understands how quickly championship dreams can evaporate if you’re not paying attention.

Jordan Anderson Racing Shows Owner-Driver Dedication

Jordan Anderson’s decision to climb behind the wheel of his own No. 32 Volpi Chevrolet demonstrates the kind of hands-on approach that defines smaller teams in NASCAR. The 34-year-old South Carolina native built his organization from the ground up, and seeing him race his own equipment while fielding competitive cars for other drivers in the Xfinity Series showcases the entrepreneurial spirit that keeps this sport moving forward.

Anderson’s Jordan Anderson Racing Xfinity Series team fields multiple entries on Saturday’s race entry list, including Jeb Burton’s playoff-chasing No. 27 and Blaine Perkins in the No. 31 Bommarito Automotive Group Chevrolet. That kind of multi-car operation requires incredible attention to detail and resource management, especially when the owner is also one of the drivers.

Entry List Reveals Depth of Xfinity Series Competition

Saturday’s 38-car Xfinity Series entry list showcases the incredible depth that makes the Xfinity Series so compelling to watch. From established powerhouses like JR Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing to hungry underdogs like RSS Racing and Alpha Prime Racing, every team brings something different to the table.

Jesse Love’s presence in the No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing represents the next generation of NASCAR talent. In contrast, veterans like Jeremy Clements in his own No. 51 Alliance Driveway Solutions Chevrolet prove that experience and determination can compete with massive budgets.

The variety in sponsorship partnerships visible on Saturday’s entry list tells the broader story of NASCAR’s business model. From major corporations like Bass Pro Shops and Menards to smaller regional businesses, the sport continues attracting partners who understand the value of associating with high-performance competition.

Nu Way 200 Sauced by Blues Hog at World Wide Technology Raceway

Xfinity Series: Entries

(i) indicates drivers ineligible for earning championship points 

• 1. Sheldon Creed, No. 00 (Haas Factory Team, Ford)
• 2. Carson Kvapil, No. 1 (JR Motorsports, Chevrolet)
• 3. Jesse Love, No. 2 (Richard Childress Racing, Chevrolet)
• 4. Parker Retzlaff, No. 4 (Alpha Prime Racing, Chevrolet)
• 5. Nick Leitz, No. 07 (SS GreenLight Racing, Chevrolet)
• 6. Justin Allgaier, NO. 7 (JR Motorsports, Chevrolet)
• 7. Sammy Smith, No. 8 (JR Motorsports, Chevrolet)
• 8. Daniel Dye, No. 10 (Kaulig Racing, Chevrolet)
• 9. Daniel Hemric (i), No. 11 (Kaulig Racing, Chevrolet)
• 10. Garrett Smithley, No. 14 (SS GreenLight Racing, Chevrolet)
• 11. Christian Eckes, No. 16 (Kaulig Racing, Chevrolet)
• 12. Corey Day, No. 17 (Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet)
• 13. William Sawalich, No. 18 (Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota)
• 14. Aric Almirola, No. 19 (Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota)
• 15. Brandon Jones, No. 20 (Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota)
• 16. Austin Hill, No. 21 (Richard Childress Racing, Chevrolet)
• 17. Harrison Burton, No. 25 (AM Racing, Ford)
• 18. Dean Thompson, No.26 (Sam Hunt Racing, Toyota)
• 19. Jeb Burton, No. 27 (Jordan Anderson Racing, Chevrolet)
• 20 Kyle Sieg, No. 28 (RSS Racing, Ford)
• 21. Blaine Perkins, No. 31 (Jordan Anderson Racing, Chevrolet)
• 22. Jordan Anderson, No. 32 (Jordan Anderson Racing, Chevrolet)
• 23. TBD (i), No. 35 (Joey Gase Motorsports, Chevrolet)
• 24. Ryan Sieg, No. 39 (RSS Racing, Ford)
• 25. Sam Mayer, No. 41 (Haas Factory Team, Ford)
• 26. Anthony Alfredo, No. 42 (Young’s Motorsports, Chevrolet)
• 27. Brennan Poole, No. 44 (Alpha Prime Racing, Chevrolet)
• 28. Lavar Scott, No. 45 (Alpha Prime Racing, Chevrolet)
• 29. Nicholas Sanchez, No. 48 (Big Machine Racing, Chevrolet)
• 30. Jeremy Clements, No. 51 (Jeremy Clements Racing, Chevrolet)
• 31. Joey Gase, No. 53 (Joey Gase Motorsports, Chevrolet)
• 32. Taylor Gray No. 54 (Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota)
• 33. Thomas Annunziata, No. 70 (Cope Family Racing, Chevrolet)
• 34. Ryan Ellis, No. 71 (DGM Racing X JIM, Chevrolet)
• 35. Kole Raz, No. 76 (AM Racing, Ford)
• 36. Connor Zilisch, No. 88 (JR Motorsports, Chevrolet)
• 37. Matt Mills (i) (DGM Racing X JIM, Chevrolet)
• 38. Matt DiBenedetto, No. 99 (Viking Motorsports, Chevrolet)

Gateway Track Characteristics Add Strategy Element to Championship Fight

World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway presents unique challenges that could shake up the championship picture in unexpected ways. The 1.25-mile oval demands a different setup approach than many tracks on the Xfinity Series schedule, and teams on the entry list that nail the handling balance will have significant advantages when the checkered flag flies.

The concrete surface provides multiple racing grooves, creating opportunities for dramatic side-by-side racing that can make heroes or create heartbreak in the span of a few corners. Championship contenders know they need to be aggressive enough to gain positions while being smart enough to avoid the kind of incidents that end seasons prematurely.

Saturday night’s Xfinity Series race under the lights adds another variable that teams on the Xfinity Series entry list must account for. Track temperatures, tire behavior, and aerodynamic balance all change as the sun goes down, creating strategic decisions that separate championship-caliber teams from everyone else.

Final Thoughts

The Nu Way 200 Sauced by Blues Hog, Xfinity Series race promises to deliver the kind of drama that makes the NASCAR Xfinity Series appointment television for racing fans. With championships on the line and playoff spots up for grabs, Saturday’s entry list represents 38 different storylines converging into what could be an unforgettable regular-season finale.