Três Corridas Decisivas Moldam os Finalistas Antes da Grande Final

 

Três Corridas Decisivas Moldam os Finalistas Antes da Grande Final

A NASCAR Xfinity Series atingiu o ápice da temporada 2025 com uma sequência eletrizante de provas que selou os quatro finalistas para o título. As etapas em Las Vegas, Talladega e Martinsville foram repletas de reviravoltas, táticas arriscadas e atuações marcantes — um reflexo da imprevisibilidade típica dos playoffs.

Las Vegas: Almirola Impõe Experiência e Pressão aos Rivais

Uma semana após a fase anterior, em 11 de outubro, o Las Vegas Motor Speedway sediou o Focused Health 302, inaugurando o Round of 8. O veterano Aric Almirola se destacou com um ritmo avassalador desde o começo. Liderou 107 das 201 voltas, venceu os dois estágios e superou o favorito Connor Zilisch na reta final. A vitória lembrou que a experiência ainda pesa em meio à nova geração. Sam Mayer, apesar dos problemas mecânicos, terminou entre os dez primeiros — um resultado crucial para se manter na disputa por pontos. "Precisamos ser perfeitos, e hoje fomos. O carro estava excelente em ritmo de corrida", disse Almirola após o triunfo. Com a conquista, ele solidificou sua posição no top 8, deixando os concorrentes competentes de que cada ponto seria vital nas provas seguintes.

Talladega: Domínio de Austin Hill em Meio ao Caos

No sábado, 18 de outubro de 2025, o Talladega Superspeedway, no Alabama, recebeu a 31ª etapa da temporada, a United Rentals 250, segunda corrida do Round of 8. O oval de 2,66 milhas (cerca de 4,28 km), famoso pelo efeito de embalagem intenso e velocidades vertiginosas, trouxe o tumulto esperado: disputas em pelotão, reagrupamentos constantes e incidentes que proporcionaram uma adrenalina alta até o fim. Austin Hill, do carro nº 21 da Richard Childress Racing, foi o herói, liderando 48 das 100 voltas disputadas — congestionamentos estenderam a prova além do previsto. Hill também venceu as duas etapas (Stage 1 e Stage 2), demonstrando controle total ao longo do fim da semana. Entre os momentos cruciais, a corrida foi para horas extras após uma bandeira amarela nas voltas finais, obrigando os pilotos a economizarem combustível e adotarem agressividade na relargada. Em recuperação, Carson Kvapil garantiu o segundo lugar, seguido por Justin Allgaier em terceiro — ambos ainda na briga pelos playoffs. Connor Zilisch, líder do campeonato, teve um dia desastroso: envolvido em um acidente, terminou muito atrás, comprometendo sua posição. No quesito playoffs, a vitória de Hill, embora ele não tenha sido mais elegível ao título de pilotos, garantiu à RCR uma vaga no Owner's Championship. Kvapil e Allgaier fortaleceram suas chances, enquanto Sheldon Creed e Sam Mayer viram suas margens diminuírem. A queda de Zilisch ilustra como fatores externos em Talladega – colisões, rascunho e estratégia de combustível – podem alterar tudo rapidamente. Em resumo, a United Rentals 250 reforçau Talladega como palco de surpresas, com velocidade extrema, pressão incessante e imprevisibilidade. Hill teve uma atuação exemplar, controlando a corrida de ponta a ponta, enquanto os playoffs ganharam novos contornos — alguns favoritos se consolidaram, outros precisarão de respostas rápidas para sobreviver.

Martinsville: Taylor Gray Vence e Define o Championship 4

O clímax da fase ocorreu em Martinsville, no dia 25 de outubro, com a IAA & Ritchie Bros. 250. A icônica pista curta da Virgínia proporcionou uma das corridas mais caóticas e empolgantes do ano. Após 252 voltas, Taylor Gray conquistou sua primeira vitória na Xfinity Series ao vencer a final e conter os rivais após uma relargada na prorrogação. O piloto da Joe Gibbs Racing liderou 52 voltas e cruzou a linha de chegada 0s344 à frente de Sammy Smith e 0s650 de Brandon Jones. O resultado foi simbólico: Gray, que havia ficado de fora da fase anterior por um ponto, retornou com vigor e venceu em uma prova pontuada por nove bandeiras amarelas. Enquanto isso, a batalha pelos últimos pontos do corte foi feroz. Carson Kvapil garantiu sua vaga no Campeonato 4 por apenas quatro pontos sobre Jones e cinco sobre Smith. Os eliminados da noite — Sammy Smith, Brandon Jones, Sam Mayer e Sheldon Creed — deixaram a pista com frustração, sabendo que detalhes ínfimos separaram o avanço da eliminação. "Foi um dos fins de semana mais intensos da minha carreira. Tudo se resumiu a uma boa largada no overtime", resumiu Taylor Gray.

Os Finalistas e Expectativas para a Decisão

Com as oitavas de final concluídas, estão definidos os quatro pilotos que disputarão o título da NASCAR Xfinity Series 2025: Carson Kvapil, Jesse Love, Justin Allgaier e Connor Zilisch. A briga pela taça promete reunir juventude, regularidade e experiência. Zilisch chega como destaque da temporada, mas Allgaier e Love demonstraram consistência e leitura de corrida ao longo dos playoffs. Kvapil, por sua vez, exibiu resiliência e chega motivado após sobreviver à fase mais tensa do campeonato. A final será um duelo autêntico de estilos — o talento emergente contra a solidez dos veteranos — coroando uma temporada repleta de disputas intensas e histórias de superação.

 

NASCAR Xfinity Series 2025: Three Decisive Races Shape the Finalists Before the Grand Finale

The NASCAR Xfinity Series reached the climax of the 2025 season with an electrifying sequence of races that sealed the four finalists for the title. The stages in Las Vegas, Talladega, and Martinsville were full of twists and turns, risky tactics, and remarkable performances—a reflection of the typical unpredictability of the playoffs.

 

Las Vegas: Almirola Imposes Experience and Pressure on Rivals

A week after the previous phase, on October 11th, the Las Vegas Motor Speedway hosted the Focused Health 302, inaugurating the Round of 8. Veteran Aric Almirola stood out with an overwhelming pace from the start. He led 107 of the 201 laps, won both stages, and overtook favorite Connor Zilisch in the final stretch. The victory reminded everyone that experience still matters amidst the new generation. Sam Mayer, despite mechanical problems, finished in the top ten—a crucial result to stay in contention for points. "We needed to be perfect, and today we were. The car was excellent in race pace," said Almirola after the triumph. With the win, he solidified his position in the top 8, making it clear to his competitors that every point would be vital in the following races.

 

Talladega: Austin Hill's Dominance Amidst the Chaos

On Saturday, October 18, 2025, the Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama hosted the 31st race of the season, the United Rentals 250, the second race of the Round of 8. The 2.66-mile (approximately 4.28 km) oval, famous for its intense drafting effect and dizzying speeds, brought the expected turmoil: pack racing, constant regroupings, and incidents that provided high adrenaline until the end. Austin Hill, in the #21 car for Richard Childress Racing, was the hero, leading 48 of the 100 laps contested — traffic jams extended the race beyond what was expected. Hill also won both stages (Stage 1 and Stage 2), demonstrating total control throughout the weekend. Among the crucial moments, the race went into overtime after a yellow flag in the final laps, forcing drivers to conserve fuel and adopt an aggressive approach on the restart. Recovering from a setback, Carson Kvapil secured second place, followed by Justin Allgaier in third — both still in contention for the playoffs. Connor Zilisch, the championship leader, had a disastrous day: involved in an accident, he finished far behind, compromising his position. In terms of the playoffs, Hill's victory, although he was no longer eligible for the driver's title, secured RCR a spot in the Owner's Championship. Kvapil and Allgaier strengthened their chances, while Sheldon Creed and Sam Mayer saw their margins shrink. Zilisch's fall illustrates how external factors at Talladega – collisions, drafting, and fuel strategy – can quickly change everything. In short, the United Rentals 250 reinforced Talladega as a stage for surprises, with extreme speed, relentless pressure, and unpredictability. Hill had an exemplary performance, controlling the race from start to finish, while the playoffs took on new contours — some favorites consolidated their positions, others will need quick answers to survive.

 

Martinsville: Taylor Gray Wins and Defines the Championship 4

The climax of the phase occurred in Martinsville on October 25th, with the IAA & Ritchie Bros. 250. The iconic short track in Virginia provided one of the most chaotic and exciting races of the year. After 252 laps, Taylor Gray secured his first Xfinity Series victory by winning the final and holding off rivals after an overtime restart. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver led 52 laps and crossed the finish line 0.344 seconds ahead of Sammy Smith and 0.650 seconds ahead of Brandon Jones. The result was symbolic: Gray, who had been eliminated in the previous round by one point, returned with vigor and won in a race marked by nine caution flags. Meanwhile, the battle for the last points to make the cut was fierce. Carson Kvapil secured his place in the Championship 4 by just four points over Jones and five over Smith. The drivers eliminated that night — Sammy Smith, Brandon Jones, Sam Mayer, and Sheldon Creed — left the track frustrated, knowing that tiny details separated advancement from elimination. "It was one of the most intense weekends of my career. It all came down to a good start in overtime," summarized Taylor Gray.

Martinsville: Taylor Gray Wins and Sets the Championship 4

The climax of the round took place in Martinsville on October 25th, with the IAA & Ritchie Bros. 250. The iconic short track in Virginia provided one of the most chaotic and exciting races of the year. After 252 laps, Taylor Gray secured his first Xfinity Series victory by winning the final race and holding off his rivals after an overtime restart. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver led 52 laps and crossed the finish line 0.344 seconds ahead of Sammy Smith and 0.650 seconds ahead of Brandon Jones. The result was symbolic: Gray, who had been eliminated in the previous round by one point, returned with vigor and won in a race marked by nine caution flags. Meanwhile, the battle for the last cutoff points was fierce. Carson Kvapil secured his spot in the Championship 4 by just four points over Jones and five over Smith. The eliminated drivers of the night — Sammy Smith, Brandon Jones, Sam Mayer, and Sheldon Creed — left the track frustrated, knowing that tiny details separated advancement from elimination. "It was one of the most intense weekends of my career. It all came down to a good start in overtime," summarized Taylor Gray.

The Finalists and Expectations for the Decision

With the round of eight completed, the four drivers who will compete for the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series title are defined: Carson Kvapil, Jesse Love, Justin Allgaier, and Connor Zilisch. The fight for the trophy promises to bring together youth, consistency, and experience. Zilisch arrives as a season standout, but Allgaier and Love have demonstrated consistency and race craft throughout the playoffs. Kvapil, in turn, has shown resilience and arrives motivated after surviving the most tense phase of the championship. The final will be an authentic duel of styles — emerging talent against the solidity of veterans — crowning a season full of intense competition and stories of overcoming adversity.

 

Por: Ana Elisa 
@ana_arquiteturaevelocidade
Tradução: Autoral 
Informações/dados: Nascar