NASCAR Xfinity Series Preview: Pennzoil 250

Indianapolis Motor Speedway – 2.5-mile oval
Saturday, July 26, 2025 – Green Flag: 4:30 PM ET
Broadcast: The CW | Radio: IMS Radio & SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Race Overview

The Pennzoil 250 marks the 21st race of the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series season and returns to the historic Brickyard oval for the second consecutive year after a brief stint on the road course. With 100 laps (250 miles) on one of the most iconic tracks in motorsports, this race is a pivotal stop in the playoff push and a proving ground for rising stars and Cup Series ringers alike.

Track Breakdown: Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Length: 2.5 miles

Turns: 4 symmetrical corners with 9.2° banking

Surface: Asphalt

Challenges: Flat corners, long straights, aero sensitivity, and braking discipline

Qualifying Format: One-lap, single-round session — no second chances

Top Contenders & Storylines

Kyle Larson (+110 favorite)

Team: Hendrick Motorsports (Cup), part-time Xfinity entry

Stats at Indy: 4 Cup top-10s, 4 Xfinity starts (worst finish: 11th)

Notes: Defending Brickyard 400 winner; running both Cup and Xfinity races this weekend

Justin Allgaier (+500)

Team: JR Motorsports

Stats at Indy: 1 win (2018), 3 top-5s, 6 top-10s

Notes: Points leader; led quality passes last year

Connor Zilisch (+500)

Team: Trackhouse Racing affiliate

Notes: Youngest driver with 5 career Xfinity wins; won last week at Dover; first start at Indy

Aric Almirola (+700)

Team: Joe Gibbs Racing

Stats at Indy: 3rd-place finish in 2024; led lap 99 of 100

Notes: 4 top-5s in 8 starts this season; veteran presence

Brandon Jones (+1800)

Team: Joe Gibbs Racing

Stats at Indy: 4 top-10s in 5 starts

Notes: Strong at Dover; consistent at the Brickyard

Dark Horses & Value Picks

Sheldon Creed (+1300) – Solid closer; 11 top-10s this season

Carson Kvapil (+2000) – Finished 10th last year; strong loop data

William Sawalich (+6000) – Rookie debut at Indy; ARCA East champion

Harrison Burton (+10000) – First Xfinity start at Indy; 4 career wins

Best Value: Aric Almirola – elite driver rating and Indy experience

Sleeper Pick: Carson Kvapil – strong metrics and top-10 potential

Fade Alert: Austin Hill – overpriced for mid-pack performance

Winner: Kyle Larson – unmatched talent and track history
Top 5 Finishers: Larson, Allgaier, Zilisch, Almirola, Creed
Final Lap Drama: Expect late restarts and draft-heavy duels on the front stretch