The NASCAR Xfinity Series Dover event is set to feature high-stakes competition following intense showdowns between rookie Connor Zilisch and veteran Shane van Gisbergen in recent races. Over consecutive weekend events, the young driver and the internationally experienced racer demonstrated remarkable skill and determination, with Zilisch capturing his third circuit victory at Sonoma Raceway on July 6 after edging out van Gisbergen.
Zilisch’s rise in the standings underlines the growing tension and excitement leading up to the BetRivers 200 at Dover Motor Speedway. The 18-year-old moved up to fourth place in the drivers‘ championship, trailing points leader Justin Allgaier by 69 points, promising a fiercely contested race.
Zilisch and Van Gisbergen’s Recent Battles Highlight Stunning Growth
The rivalry between Zilisch and van Gisbergen gained widespread attention starting at the Chicago Street Race on July 5, where van Gisbergen, driving for JR Motorsports, helped facilitate Zilisch’s victory from the pole position. Their competition continued at Sonoma Raceway, where Zilisch demonstrated learned tactics and composure to outmaneuver the three-time Supercars champion and claim the win.
Despite an aggressive final lap from van Gisbergen, he chose not to force his way past Zilisch, showing respect and sportsmanship on the track. Van Gisbergen described the race as a thrilling experience, emphasizing the fun and competitiveness of the day.
We did such an awesome job all weekend long, just executing,
Zilisch told CW after his victory.
We made all the right adjustments, and here we are in victory lane. It feels good.
Yeah … I didn’t want to,
van Gisbergen said.
Congrats to those guys, what an awesome race. I hope everyone enjoyed that. Yeah, I gave him a bump into (Turn) 7, wheel-hopped, and probably could have taken it, but I just waited. I didn’t want to do it like that. And then we just raced down the hill. But what an awesome race.
I had a blast all day, really, really fun.
—Shane van Gisbergen, JR Motorsports Driver
Comprehensive Weekend Schedule for Dover and ARCA Series
The NASCAR National Series, including the ARCA Menards Series, will have a packed schedule throughout the weekend at Dover Motor Speedway. The multi-day event features practice sessions, qualifying rounds, and races, culminating with the highly anticipated Cup Series event on Sunday.
The detailed schedule is as follows (all times Eastern):
Friday
- 1:40 p.m.: ARCA Series Practice
- 2:40 p.m.: ARCA Series Qualifying
- 5 p.m.: ARCA Series General Tire 150 Race
Saturday
- 11 a.m.: Xfinity Series Practice
- 12:05 p.m.: Xfinity Series Qualifying
- 1:35 p.m.: Cup Series Practice
- 2:45 p.m.: Cup Series Qualifying
- 4:30 p.m.: Xfinity Series BetRivers 200 Race
Sunday
- 2 p.m.: Cup Series AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400 Race
Complete Entry List for the BetRivers 200 at Dover
The entry list for the Saturday NASCAR Xfinity Series BetRivers 200 at Dover Motor Speedway has been announced, showcasing a diverse field of experienced and emerging drivers. The list includes drivers from Chevrolet, Toyota, and Ford teams, highlighting the strong competitive presence expected in this race.
Below is the full lineup by entry number, driver, and car:
- 1, Sheldon Creed, No. 00 Ford
- 2, Carson Kvapil, No. 1 Chevrolet
- 3, Jesse Love, No. 2 Chevrolet
- 4, Parker Retzlaff, No. 4 Chevrolet
- 5, Kris Wright, No. 5 Chevrolet
- 6, Nick Leitz, No. 07 Chevrolet
- 7, Justin Allgaier, No. 7 Chevrolet
- 8, Sammy Smith, No. 8 Chevrolet
- 9, Ross Chastain, No. 9 Chevrolet
- 10, Daniel Dye, No. 10 Chevrolet
- 11, Josh Williams, No. 11 Chevrolet
- 12, Garrett Smithley, No. 14 Chevrolet
- 13, Christian Eckes, No. 16 Chevrolet
- 14, Jake Finch, No. 17 Chevrolet
- 15, William Sawalich, No. 18 Toyota
- 16, Aric Almirola, No. 19 Toyota
- 17, Brandon Jones, No. 20 Toyota
- 18, Austin Hill, No. 21 Chevrolet
- 19, Ryan Truex, No. 24 Toyota
- 20, Harrison Burton, No. 25 Ford
- 21, Dean Thompson, No. 26 Toyota
- 22, Jeb Burton, No. 27 Chevrolet
- 23, Kyle Sieg, No. 28 Ford
- 24, Blaine Perkins, No. 31 Chevrolet
- 25, Rajah Caruth, No. 32 Chevrolet
- 26, TBA, No. 35 Toyota
- 27, Ryan Sieg, No. 39 Ford
- 28, Sam Mayer, No. 41 Ford
- 29, Anthony Alfredo, No. 42 Chevrolet
- 30, Brennan Poole, No. 44 Chevrolet
- 31, TBD, No. 45 Chevrolet
- 32, Nick Sanchez, No. 48 Chevrolet
- 33, Jeremy Clements, No. 51 Chevrolet
- 34, TBD, No. 53 Ford
- 35, Taylor Gray, No. 54 Toyota
- 36, Leland Honeyman Jr., No. 70 Chevrolet
- 37, Ryan Ellis, No. 71 Chevrolet
- 38, Connor Zilisch, No. 88 Chevrolet
- 39, Josh Bilicki, No. 91 Chevrolet
- 40, Matt DiBenedetto, No. 99 Chevrolet
Implications for the Championship and Future Prospects
The upcoming BetRivers 200 will be a crucial fixture for drivers aiming to strengthen their standing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. With Justin Allgaier leading the pack and strong competition coming from contenders such as Sam Mayer and Connor Zilisch, this Dover event could significantly influence the championship trajectory.
Zilisch’s recent victories and van Gisbergen’s seasoned approach suggest that both experience and emerging talent will be on full display. Fans and teams alike are poised for an intense and memorable race, with every participant eager to make an impact ahead of the season’s remaining contests at Dover and beyond.