NASCAR Xfinity Series at Kansas: The Full Starting Lineup
The air is electric here at Kansas Speedway, and the engines are just about ready to roar for the Kansas Lottery 300. When the dust settled after a thrilling qualifying session, it was a familiar face, Brandon Jones, who muscled his No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota to the top of the charts, securing the pole position.
It’s a moment of pure adrenaline when you see a driver lay down a lap that good. Jones scorched the 1.5-mile track with a time of 31.140 seconds, clocking in at a blistering 173.410 mph. That’s not just fast; that’s a statement. For Jones, this isn’t just another pole. It’s his 13th career pole in the Xfinity Series, coming in his 330th start.
That’s a testament to his experience and raw talent. You could feel the confidence radiating from the JGR camp as he bested his own teammate, Taylor Gray, by nearly a tenth of a second. That might not sound like much, but in the world of NASCAR, a tenth of a second is an eternity. It’s the difference between glory and second place.
Who is Leading the Charge to the Green Flag at Kansas?
The Kansas starting lineup is set, and it’s a mix of seasoned veterans and hungry young guns all looking to make their mark. Jones, who already has a win this year at the tough Darlington Raceway, is now in a prime position to chase down his seventh career victory. Starting from the pole gives him a clean track ahead and the best pit stall selection, which is a massive advantage here at Kansas.
But he’s going to have his work cut out for him. Right on his tail is Sam Mayer, another driver who knows how to find victory lane, having won at Iowa last month. Mayer will be rolling off from the third spot, and you can bet he’s got his sights set on the front. And how about this for a story? Brenden “Butterbean” Queen, in just his second career Xfinity Series start, put his car in the fourth position.
That’s the kind of performance that gets the whole garage buzzing. It’s a reminder that on any given Saturday, a driver can come out of nowhere and challenge the big dogs. Rounding out the top five is Justin Allgaier, the defending series champion. Allgaier is a crafty veteran who knows how to win races and championships. Starting from fifth, he’s in a perfect striking position to let the race come to him and make his move when it counts.
Kansas Lottery 300 at Kansas Speedway
Xfinity Series: Starting Lineup
- 1. Brandon Jones, No. 20 (Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota)
- 2. Taylor Gray, No. 54 (Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota)
- 3. Sam Mayer, No. 41 (Haas Factory Team, Ford)
- 4. Brenden Queen, No. 11 (Kaulig Racing, Chevrolet)
- 5. Justin Allgaier, No. 7Â (JR Motorsports, Chevrolet)
- 6. William Sawalich, No. 18 (Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota)
- 7. Connor Zilisch, No. 88 (JR Motorsports, Chevrolet)
- 8. Rajah Caruth, No. 17 (Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet)
- 9. Dean Thompson, No. 26 (Sam Hunt Racing, Toyota)
- 10. Sheldon Creed, No. 00 (Haas Factory Team, Ford)
- 11. Patrick Staropoli, No. 24 (Sam Hunt Racing, Toyota)
- 12. Jesse Love, No. 2 (Richard Childress Racing, Chevrolet)
- 13. Nick Sanchez, No. 48 (Big Machine Racing, Chevrolet)
- 14. Sammy Smith, No. 8 (JR Motorsports, Chevrolet)
- 15. Ryan Sieg, No. 39 (RSS Racing, Ford)
- 16. Justin Bonsignore, No. 19 (Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota)
- 17. Austin Hill, No. 21 (Richard Childress Racing, Chevrolet)
- 18. Harrison Burton, No. 25 (AM Racing, Ford)
- 19. Carson Kvapil, No. 1 (JR Motorsports, Chevrolet)
- 20. Christian Eckes, No. 16 (Kaulig Racing, Chevrolet)
- 21. Matt DiBenedetto, No. 99 (Viking Motorsports, Chevrolet)
- 22. Anthony Alfredo, No. 42 (Young’s Motorsports, Chevrolet)
- 23. Parker Retzlaff, No. 4 (Alpha Prime Racing, Chevrolet)
- 24. Kyle Sieg, No. 28 (RSS Racing, Ford)
- 25. Jeremy Clements, No. 51 (Jeremy Clements Racing, Chevrolet)
- 26. Jeb Burton, No. 27 (Jordan Anderson Racing, Chevrolet)
- 27. Leland Honeyman, No. 70 (Cope Family Racing, Chevrolet)
- 28. Blaine Perkins, No. 31 (Jordan Anderson Racing, Chevrolet)
- 29. Brennan Poole, No. 44 (Alpha Prime Racing, Chevrolet)
- 30. Mason Massey, No. 45 (Alpha Prime Racing, Chevrolet)
- 31. Austin Green, No. 32 (Jordan Anderson Racing, Chevrolet)
- 32. Kole Raz, No. 76 (AM Racing, Ford)
- 33. Joey Gase, No. 53 (Joey Gase Motorsports, Chevrolet)
- 34. Ryan Ellis, No. 71 (DGM Racing, Chevrolet)
- 35. Nick Leitz, No. 07 (SS Green Light Racing, Ford)
- 36. Josh Williams, No. 91 (DGM Racing, Chevrolet)
- 37. Garrett Smithley, No. 14 (SS Green Light Racing, Chevrolet)
- 38. Daniel Dye, No. 10 (Kaulig Racing, Chevrolet)
Full Rundown for the Kansas Lottery 300
The battle for the playoffs at Kansas is heating up, and every single position in this starting lineup matters. With 39 cars trying to squeeze into a 38-car field, the pressure was on from the moment the first car hit the track. Unfortunately, that pressure meant heartbreak for one driver. Glen Reen, piloting the No. 35 for Joey Gase Motorsports, just missed the cut and will be heading home early.
It’s a brutal part of the sport, but it underscores just how competitive this series is. As we look down the grid, you see a field stacked with talent. Every driver has a story, a goal, and a hunger to win. From the playoff contenders trying to lock themselves into the next round to the underdogs hoping for a breakout performance, the stage is set for an unforgettable race.
Gearing Up For Start Time
Kansas Speedway is known for its high speeds and multiple grooves, which means we’re in for some intense, side-by-side action. The drivers will need to be perfect, their pit crews will need to be flawless, and a little bit of luck never hurts. Get ready, race fans. The green flag is about to drop, and 300 miles of pure, unadulterated speed and drama are about to unfold.
