Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) arrives at Iowa Speedway with an impressive record, boasting seven wins in 62 starts at the 0.875-mile track. Drivers like Kyle Busch, Sam Hornish Jr., Erik Jones, Ryan Preece, and Christopher Bell have all contributed to the team’s success. Over these races, JGR has accumulated 24 top-five finishes, 38 top-10s, nine poles, and led over 2,100 laps, underscoring their competitive presence at Iowa.
William Sawalich’s First Xfinity Series Start at Iowa
William Sawalich will make his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut at Iowa Speedway this weekend, driving the No. 18 Starkey Toyota GR Supra. In ARCA Menards Series competition at Iowa, Sawalich impressed with two runner-up finishes, leading 202 of the 306 laps he completed across those events. He also secured the ARCA pole at Iowa in 2023, highlighting his adaptability on this track.
Recently, Sawalich earned his third straight top-10 finish with a ninth place at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where his No. 18 car finished 11th in stage one and tenth in stage two, earning valuable points. Sawalich is the reigning ARCA Menards Series East champion, having secured his second consecutive title at Bristol Motor Speedway in 2024. Over the past two seasons, he claimed seven wins and achieved 15 top-five finishes, becoming the first Minnesotan to win the series championship.
His rookie Xfinity campaign is supported by veteran crew chief Jeff Meendering, who has ten career Xfinity wins and recently celebrated a victory with Chandler Smith at Richmond in March 2024. Meendering’s leadership has yielded 77 top-five and 153 top-10 finishes during his tenure as a crew chief.
Sawalich’s sponsor, Starkey, is a Minnesota-based, privately held company specializing in hearing technologies. Since its founding in 1967 by Bill Austin, Starkey has grown into a global innovator with over 5,000 employees and operations in more than 100 markets worldwide. The company is led by President and CEO Brandon Sawalich and remains the only American-owned provider in its sector.
Justin Bonsignore Prepares for Iowa Debut with USNEPower
Justin Bonsignore will also make his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut at Iowa Speedway driving the No. 19 USNEPower Toyota GR Supra. Earlier this season at Pocono Raceway, Bonsignore qualified 17th but was sidelined by mechanical problems after just seven laps. Despite the setback, he continues to gain experience at the Xfinity level.
Bonsignore’s No. 19 team is managed by crew chief Seth Chavka, who had a breakout rookie season as an Xfinity chief last year. Chavka guided multiple drivers, including Bonsignore, Aric Almirola, and Taylor Gray, achieving three top-five finishes, seven top-10s, two poles, and his first career win with Almirola at Kansas. Chavka also brought the car to a third-place finish at Atlanta with Almirola behind the wheel.
Bonsignore remains active in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, where he is a four-time champion and currently sits second in the 2025 standings with six top-five finishes and one win at Riverhead Raceway. With seven races remaining, he trails the points leader by only four points, maintaining a strong championship contention.
USNEPower, Bonsignore’s sponsor, offers an extensive range of services, including transformer, voltage regulator, relay, and switchgear services, as well as fault locating and forensic investigations. Their technical expertise aligns well with the precision required in motorsports.
Brandon Jones Aims to Build Consistency at Iowa
Brandon Jones returns to Iowa Speedway with significant knowledge of the track, having made 11 previous Xfinity Series starts there. His career-best finish at Iowa is fifth, achieved in 2018 for Joe Gibbs Racing. Over his appearances, Jones has recorded one top-five and three top-10 finishes, with an average finish of 16.9.
Jones experienced a disappointing day at Indianapolis Motor Speedway after qualifying fifth and running among the front-runners. A late-race collision involving leaders forced repairs that dropped him to 32nd in the final order. Nonetheless, he remains consistent, completing 20 out of 21 races this season and achieving 18 lead-lap finishes, ranking him among the most reliable drivers in the Xfinity Series.
His crew chief for 2025 is Sam McAulay, now in his second year leading the team. McAulay had a strong rookie season, directing Sheldon Creed to 16 top-five and 23 top-10 finishes, two poles, and a sixth-place standing in the championship. McAulay secured his first Xfinity Series victory at Darlington earlier this year and has accumulated 20 top-fives overall in his career.
Jones’ partnership with Menards continues into the 11th season, marking a long-term collaboration with the Midwestern home improvement chain. Founded in 1960, Menards operates more than 300 stores and offers a wide variety of products for household and professional projects across the U.S.
Additionally, Criterion, a brand available exclusively at Menards, sponsors Jones’ car. Criterion is known for providing dependable home appliances that emphasize functionality and affordability, making it a popular choice among homeowners, landlords, and first-time buyers.
Taylor Gray Seeks Momentum in First Xfinity Race at Iowa
Taylor Gray will compete in his first NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Iowa Speedway this weekend, piloting the No. 54 Operation 300 Toyota GR Supra. While new to Xfinity at Iowa, Gray has raced in the ARCA Menards Series at the track, achieving two top-five finishes in three starts, including a third place in 2021.
Gray is coming off a strong performance at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where he finished third, continuing a streak of three consecutive top-10 finishes and adding to his record of six top-10s in the last seven races. During this hot streak, Gray has amassed the second-most points of any Xfinity Series driver with an average finish of 9.6.
His veteran crew chief Jason Ratcliff brings the most experience to the No. 54 team, holding the title of winningest crew chief in Xfinity Series history with 57 wins. Ratcliff’s record at Iowa Speedway includes three wins in eight starts and leading 42.1% of all laps his teams have run there. His crews haven’t finished worse than ninth in those races, with six top-five finishes.
The No. 54 car showcases the Operation 300 program, a nonprofit that offers adventure camps for children who have lost a parent due to military service. The program matches these children with male mentors to provide experiences they might have shared with their lost parent, emphasizing support and healing through connection.
Looking Ahead to the Hy-Vee Perks 250 at Iowa Speedway
This weekend’s Hy-Vee Perks 250 at Iowa Speedway marks a pivotal moment for both seasoned competitors and newcomers in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Joe Gibbs Racing leverages its extensive track success and depth of talent, while drivers like William Sawalich, Justin Bonsignore, Brandon Jones, and Taylor Gray aim to build momentum and prove their capabilities on this unique short track.
With promising rookies paired with seasoned crew chiefs and trusted sponsors backing each effort, anticipation is high for intense racing and strategic execution. Performance here could have significant implications for season points standings and the championship chase as the field navigates one of the sport’s more challenging venues.
The combination of veteran experience and emerging talent sets the stage for an exciting and competitive race, further strengthening the NASCAR Xfinity Series’ dynamic as it progresses through the 2025 season.