O’Reilly Auto Parts Series: Full Starting Lineup For The Focused Health 250 At COTA

The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series returns to Circuit of The Americas with a front row seat to a starting lineup that immediately reshapes expectations for Saturday’s race. Connor Zilisch delivered a lap that stood untouched through the final minutes of qualifying, securing the pole for JR Motorsports.

His teammate Shane van Gisbergen will start alongside him, giving JRM a complete lockout of the front row and a clear early advantage on one of the most demanding road courses on the schedule.

The 3.41‑mile layout rewards precision, braking discipline, and the ability to manage long, technical sequences. With two of the strongest road‑course drivers in the field starting first and second, the rest of the grid faces a significant challenge heading into Turn 1.

How Qualifying Played Out

Connor Zilisch’s pole‑winning lap was the product of a clean, controlled run that maximized speed through COTA’s long esses and heavy braking zones. His comfort on road courses has been evident throughout the season, and Friday’s session reinforced that he is quickly becoming one of the most reliable qualifiers in the series.

Van Gisbergen’s second‑place effort was equally steady. The New Zealand driver has built a reputation for extracting speed from technical circuits, and his ability to carry momentum through the slower corners kept him within striking distance of Zilisch. JR Motorsports’ one‑two result reflects both driver execution and a well‑prepared road‑course program.

Austin Hill qualified third for Richard Childress Racing, continuing his trend of strong single‑lap speed. Brandon Jones and Justin Allgaier rounded out the top five, giving JR Motorsports three cars inside the first five positions.

Driver Notes And Key Facts

Connor Zilisch: Starting 1st

Connor Zilisch’s pole reflects both raw pace and a growing maturity in qualifying sessions. His ability to manage the long braking zones at COTA gives him a strong advantage heading into the opening laps. Zilisch has shown steady progression on road courses, and his clean execution on Friday positions him well to control the early stages of the race.

Shane van Gisbergen: Starting 2nd

Shane Van Gisbergen’s road‑course background continues to translate seamlessly to NASCAR. His comfort with elevation changes and technical sequences makes him one of the most dangerous drivers in the field. Starting alongside his teammate gives JRM a strategic advantage, particularly through the chaotic run into Turn 1.

Austin Hill: Starting 3rd

Austin Hill’s third‑place effort on Saturday’s starting lineup underscores RCR’s strength on road courses. His calm, methodical approach suits COTA’s layout, and his ability to maintain pace over long runs could make him a factor as the race settles in. Hill’s consistency remains one of his biggest assets.

Brandon Jones: Starting 4th

Brandon Jones’ fourth‑place start gives Joe Gibbs Racing a strong presence near the front. His lap showed stability through the high‑speed sections, and his ability to maintain rhythm through the esses will be important once the field spreads out.

Justin Allgaier: Starting 5th

Justin Allgaier’s top‑five start adds to JR Motorsports’ strong qualifying performance. His experience on road courses and ability to manage tire wear make him a reliable contender at COTA. With three JRM cars inside the top five, Allgaier’s role in the early laps could influence how the front of the field forms.

Focused Health 250 At Circuit Of The Americas

O’Reilly Auto Parts Series: Full Starting Lineup

1. Connor Zilisch — No. 1 — JR Motorsports
2. Shane van Gisbergen — No. 9 — JR Motorsports
3. Austin Hill — No. 21 — Richard Childress Racing
4. Brandon Jones — No. 20 — Joe Gibbs Racing
5. Justin Allgaier — No. 7 — JR Motorsports
6. Carson Kvapil — No. 91 — DGM Racing X JIM
7. Brent Crews— No. 19 — Joe Gibbs Racing
8. Sam Mayer — No. 41 — Haas Factory Team
9. Sheldon Creed — No. 00 — Haas Factory Team
10. Sammy Smith — No. 8 — JR Motorsports
11. Jesse Love — No. 2 — Richard Childress Racing
12. Corey Day — No. 17 — Hendrick Motorsports
13. Austin Green — No. 87 — Peterson Racing Group
14. Taylor Gray — No. 54 — Joe Gibbs Racing
15. William Sawalich — No. 18 — Joe Gibbs Racing
16. Anthony Alfredo — No. 96 — Viking Motorsports
17. Preston Pardus — No. 50 — Pardus Racing Inc.
18. Ryan Sieg — No. 39 — RSS Racing
19. Rajah Caruth — No. 88 — JR Motorsports
20.  Nick Sanchez — No. 25 — AM Racing
21. Ross Chastain — No. 32 — Jordan Anderson Racing
22. Sage Karam — No. 55 — Joey Gase Motorsports
23. Harrison Burton — No. 24 — Sam Hunt Racing
24. Blaine Perkins — No. 31 — Jordan Anderson Racing
25. Josh Bilicki — No. 07 — SS‑GreenLight Racing
26. Brennan Poole — No. 44 — Alpha Prime Racing
27. Dean Thompson — No. 26 — Sam Hunt Racing
28. Alex Labbe — No. 0 — SS GreenLight Racing
29.  Parker Retzlaff — No. 99 — Viking Motorsports
30. Jeremy Clements — No. 51 — Jeremy Clements Racing
31. Lavar Scott — No. 45 — Alpha Prime Racing
32. Patrick Staropoli — No. 48 — Big Machine Racing
33. Ryan Ellis — No. 02 — Young’s Motorsports
34. Jeb Burton — No. 27 — Jordan Anderson Racing
35. Kyle Sieg — No. 28 — RSS Racing
36. J.J. Yeley — No. 42 — Young’s Motorsports
37. Baltazar Leguizamón — No. 30 — Barrett‑Cope Racing
38. Austin J. Hill — No. 35 — Joey Gase Motorsports
39. DNQ: Josh Williams — No. 92 — DGM Racing X JIM
40. DNQ: Tyler Gonzalez — No. 5 — Hettinger Racing

Who Looks Strongest Heading Into Race Day

JR Motorsports enters Saturday’s starting lineup with clear momentum. Zilisch and van Gisbergen starting first and second gives the organization control of the opening laps, especially through the uphill run into Turn 1. Allgaier’s fifth‑place start adds depth to their front‑running group.

Richard Childress Racing and Joe Gibbs Racing both have cars positioned to challenge early. Hill’s third‑place start puts him in clean air, while Jones and Crews give JGR multiple options inside the top ten.

Drivers starting mid-pack, including Rajah Caruth, Ross Chastain, and Preston Pardus, will need to manage traffic carefully. COTA’s layout rewards patience, and early mistakes can quickly compound through the technical sections.

What COTA’s Layout Means for Saturday

Circuit of The Americas demands precision. The long esses require rhythm, the heavy braking zones reward discipline, and the elevation changes challenge drivers to manage weight transfer effectively. Tire wear becomes a factor over long green‑flag runs, particularly through the final sector.

Track position matters, but strategy often plays an equal role. Pit windows, careful timing, and the ability to maintain pace on worn tires can dramatically shift the race. Drivers who manage their equipment through the middle stages often find opportunities late.

Championship Implications

With several championship contenders starting inside the top ten, Saturday’s race offers an opportunity to build early‑season momentum. JR Motorsports’ strong qualifying effort positions them well to extend their advantage, while teams deeper in the field will need clean, efficient races to avoid losing ground.

What’s Next

The starting lineup at COTA sets the stage for a race defined by execution and adaptability. Zilisch and van Gisbergen lead a field loaded with road‑course talent, and the opening laps will determine how quickly the race settles into a rhythm. When the green flag waves, the focus shifts from qualifying speed to strategy, patience, and the ability to manage one of the most technical circuits on the schedule.