Predicting the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship 4

After a long offseason, the NASCAR Xfinity Series will be back in action at the Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 15. Twelve drivers will make the Xfinity Series playoff field, but only four drivers will make the Championship 4 and compete for the title at Phoenix. Here are our 2025 Xfinity Series Championship 4 picks. 

Justin Allgaier, No. 7 Chevrolet, JR Motorsports

Allgaier enters 2025 as the defending champion and the 2025 championship favorite. The veteran finally got a major monkey off his back by winning his first title, and there's no reason to think he won't be back in the Championship 4 this season. In fact, since the elimination-style format was introduced to the Xfinity Series in 2016, Allgaier has made the Championship 4 seven times, only missing it twice. Expect him to be back in the mix again this season. 

Sheldon Creed, No. 00 Ford Mustang, Haas Factory Team 

This may seem like a strange pick considering Creed has yet to win an Xfinity Series race, but the 2020 Truck Series champion was a model of consistency in 2024. It seems impossible for Creed to go through a fourth full-time Xfinity Series season without winning, seeing as he finished top-five in nearly half of the races a season ago. The No. 00 team has made the Championship 4 in consecutive seasons with Cole Custer and took home the 2023 championship. A motivated Creed and a team with a championship pedigree are due for a breakout season together in 2025.

Austin Hill, No. 21 Chevrolet, Richard Childress Racing 

Hill is not exactly a flashy or exciting choice, but he's being picked out of practicality. Hill has won 10 races over the last three seasons and made the Championship 4 for the first time in 2024. Despite a stacked Xfinity Series playoff field, Hill and the No. 21 team have an excellent shot to go back to Phoenix. Expect Hill to be the overwhelming favorite every time the Xfinity Series visits Daytona, Talladega or Atlanta this season. 

Connor Zilisch, No. 88 Chevrolet, JR Motorsports 

It may sound crazy to predict that an 18-year-old rookie will race for the 2025 Xfinity Series championship, but Zilisch is no ordinary 18-year-old rookie. Zilisch won his Xfinity Series debut at Watkins Glen in September of 2024, and finished top-five in three of his first four Xfinity Series starts. Zilisch will undoubtedly be a weekly contender, and as long as he can quickly adapt to the pressure of a championship chase, he has an excellent chance of making the Championship 4.