Why the Xfinity Series Brings the Heat to NASCAR’s Iowa Weekend

If you’re an Xfinity fan, you already know that the series isn’t just the “middle child” of NASCAR. Nope, it’s the proving ground for future Cup stars and the breeding ground for some of the most chaotic short-track racing on the planet. With the 2025 Iowa Speedway weekend just around the corner, prepare yourself for a weekend packed with drama, bumper-to-bumper action, and maybe a bit of carnage. The Xfinity Series arrives in Iowa with its usual flair, headlined by rising talents looking to make their mark and seasoned veterans refusing to fade gracefully into the abyss. Trust us when we say, this lineup is stacked.

What to Expect from the Xfinity Hy-Vee Perks 250

When: Saturday, August 2, 2025, at 4:30 PM ET

Where: The 0.875-mile beast that is Iowa Speedway

The anticipation for the Hy-Vee Perks 250 is matched only by the unpredictability of who ends up on top. Ross Chastain and Justin Bonsignore are names you should definitely flag on your “ones to watch” board. Chastain is sliding into the JR Motorsports No. 9 Chevrolet, while Bonsignore is rolling the dice with the Joe Gibbs Xfinity Team. Both are seasoned pros and could turn Saturday’s field of 38 into their playground.

Meanwhile, Tyler Tomassi, a fresh-faced hopeful making his Xfinity debut in the No. 35 for Joey Gase Motorsports, will have his hands full trying to show he belongs in this league while surrounded by sharks in the water. Call it trial by fire, we call it entertainment gold.

Oh, and the buzz isn’t just about the drivers. The track itself promises multi-groove racing and head-to-head battles that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat. Iowa Speedway’s short-track setup delivers everything we love about NASCAR with less predictability than throwing darts in a dark room.

Hy-Vee Perks 250: Xfinity Series Entries

• 1. Sheldon Creed, No. 00 (Haas Factory Team, Ford)
• 2. Patrick Emerling, No. 07 (SS-Green Light Racing, Chevrolet)
• 3. Carson Kvapil, No. 1 (JR Motorsports, Chevrolet)
• 4. Jesse Love, No. 2 (Richard Childress Racing, Chevrolet)
• 5. Parker Retzlaff, No. 4 (Alpha Prime Racing, Chevrolet)
• 6. Justin Allgaier, No. 7 (JR Motorsports, Chevrolet)
• 7. Sammy Smith, No. 8 (JR Motorsports, Chevrolet)
• 8. Ross Chastain, No. 9 (JR Motorsports, Chevrolet)
• 9. Daniel Dye, No. 10 (Kaulig Racing, Chevrolet)
• 10. Josh Williams, No. 11 (Kaulig Racing, Chevrolet)
• 11. Garrett Smithley, No. 14 (SS-GreenLight Racing, Chevrolet)
• 12. Christian Eckes, No. 16 (Kauling Racing, Chevrolet)
• 13. Corey Day, No. 17 (Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet)
• 14. William Sawalich, No. 18 (Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota)
• 15. Aric Almirola, No. 19 (Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota)
• 16. Brandon Jones, No. 20 (Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota)
• 17. Austin Hill, No. 21 (Richard Childress Racing, Chevrolet)
• 18. Harrison Burton, No. 25 (AM Racing, Ford)
• 19. Dean Thompson, No. 26 (Sam Hunt Racing, Toyota)
• 20. Jeb Burton, No. 27 (Jordan Anderson Racing, Chevrolet)
• 21. Kyle Sieg, No. 28 (RSS Racing, Ford)
• 22. Blaine Perkins, No. 31 (Jordan Anderson Racking, Chevrolet)
• 23. Tyler Tomassi, No. 35 (Joey Gase Motorsports, Ford)
• 24. Ryan Sieg, No. 39 (RSS Racing, Ford)
• 25. Sam Mayer, No. 41 (Haas Factory Team, Ford)
• 26. Anthony Alfredo, No. 42 (Young’s Motorsports, Chevrolet)
• 27. Brennan Poole, No. 44 (Alpha Prime Racing, Chevrolet)
• 28. Mason Massey, No. 45 (Alpha Prime Racing, Chevrolet)
• 29. Nick Sanchez, No. 48 (Big Machine Racing, Chevrolet)
• 30. Jeremy Clements, No. 51 (Jeremy Clements Racing, Chevrolet)
• 31. Joey Gase, No. 53 (Joey Gase Motorsports, Chevrolet)
• 32. Taylor Gray, No. 54 (Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota)
• 33. Thomas Annunziata, No. 70 (Cope Family Racing, Chevrolet)
• 34. Ryan Ellis, No. 71 (DGM Racing, Chevrolet)
• 35. Dawson Cram, No. 74 (Mike Harmon Racing, Chevrolet)
• 36. Connor Zilsich, No. 88 (JR Motorsports, Chevrolet)
• 37. Josh Bilicki, No. 91 (DGM Racing, Chevrolet)
• 38. Matt DiBenedetto, No. 99 (Viking Motorsports, Chevrolet)

The Key Players and Why They Matter

Ross Chastain

Chastain is more than just watermelon-smashing memes (though we love those, too). His return to the Xfinity grid comes with high expectations, as he takes a familiar seat in the No. 9 JR Motorsports machine. Watch him use his experience to school some of the younger competitors who probably idolized him growing up. Not awkward at all, right?

Justin Bonsignore

The Long Island fighter is suiting up for his sixth start of the year with Joe Gibbs Racing. Bonsignore isn’t here for participation trophies. He’s here to remind everyone why Joe Gibbs Racing dominates every series they touch with machines that are basically rocket ships on wheels.

Tyler Tomassi

A fresh Xfinity rookie makes his debut? Cue the “rookie mistakes” compilations and memes. But seriously, don’t count this guy out just yet. Tomassi stepping into the No. 35 for Joey Gase Motorsports marks the start of what could be his long climb to stardom.

Corey Day

Ah, Corey Day, Hendrick Motorsports’ secret weapon. Their No. 17 is always interesting to watch, but Day could be the surprise dark horse we talk about in coffee-fueled post-race debates.

Why Iowa Speedway Isn’t Just a Track

Iowa isn’t just some random pit stop for the Xfinity schedule. It’s a crucible for drivers who need to learn how to adapt, fight for traction, and handle high-pressure racing scenarios under the glare of thousands of fans and cameras. This track’s progressive banking allows for multi-groove action, which is a fancy way of saying “expect a lot of overtaking and a lot of bump-and-runs.” It’s NASCAR’s controlled chaos in one slice of racing heaven.

Big Questions as We Head Into Saturday

• Will Ross Chastain turn the race into a one-man show, or will the young guns humble him instead?
• Can Tyler Tomassi avoid rookie hiccups and finish in the top 20, or is he set to be another crash highlight reel?
• Will Joe Gibbs Racing and JR Motorsports continue their reign of terror, or is this the weekend the little Xfinity teams finally strike back?

Got all that? Perfect. Now go stock up on snacks, because the Xfinity Hy-Vee Perks 250 at Iowa is going to deliver a spectacle worth every second of your Saturday afternoon.