TC Daily Pit Stop: Jesse Love Comes to Life in Final Stage, Upsets Zilisch for Xfinity Championship; Hamlin on Cup Championship Race Pole
TC Daily Pit Stop: Sunday, November 2, 2025
Jesse Love Beats Best Friend Connor Zilisch for 2025 Xfinity Title
It was a joyous night for Jesse Love, and a sad ending to a dominant season for Connor Zilisch in Saturday night’s NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship Race.
Love, who impressed in practice, started Saturday night’s race off too loose, and it appeared he was in for a long night. Then, the team made adjustments, and Love’s No. 2 car came to life in the final Stage of the race.
With 25 laps to go, Love made the race-winning pass on his best friend, Connor Zilisch, and as no late-race foolery transpired, Love captured the win and the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series championship.
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OFFICIAL RACE RESULTS
Denny Hamlin Fires First Shot with Favorable Phoenix Pole
While Denny Hamlin downplayed the advantage that winning the pole for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race will give him, there’s no denying that Hamlin has asserted a strong case to become the series champion with his fast qualifying effort.
Hamlin will start with optimal track position, and the No. 1 pit stall on pit road. Now, he has to find a way to keep the lead. Which, that is the biggest challenge.
Joining Hamlin on the front row is fellow Championship 4 contender, William Byron, and Kyle Larson will start third as he attempt to collect his second NASCAR Cup Series championship.
Chase Briscoe was the lone Championship 4 contender to qualify outside the top-five, as he’ll start 12th on Sunday.
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OFFICIAL STARTING LINEUP
Other NASCAR Headlines:
Is the Third Championship 4 Appearance the Charm for William Byron?
NASCAR Alters Eligibility Standards for O’Reilly, Truck Series in 2026
Corey Heim Makes Seven-Wide Move to Salvage Historic Championship Run
A Championship Run, a Fading Clock, and a Father Watching from Home
Heim Downplays Championship Favorite Label Despite Record Season
Joe Gibbs Prepares for Emotional Championship 4 with Hamlin and Briscoe
Phoenix Race Weekend Resources:
Entry Lists: Cup | Xfinity | Trucks
Practice Results: Cup | Xfinity | Trucks
Qualifying Results: Cup | Xfinity | Trucks
Race Results: Cup | Xfinity | Trucks