Reflection helped Justin Allgaier get over 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series championship loss

Justin Allgaier came up just shy of winning consecutive NASCAR Xfinity Series championships at Phoenix Raceway on Nov. 1, finishing fifth in the season finale third in the championship standings behind Jesse Love and Connor Zilisch. 

But the 2024 Xfinity Series champion, while disappointed, didn't allow himself to wallow in self-pity despite a frustrating season-ending result. 

"As I've gotten older in the sport and I've had more time to reflect on the ones that don't go good — and also reflect on last year and being able to win the championship — I think you realize the value in, it is just racing," the 39-year-old Allgaier said in a Nov. 4 media availability. "Anything can happen, but it doesn't ever take that competitive fire away from you. You always still want it."

Justin Allgaier still put together impressive 2025 campaign 

Despite losing the championship, Allgaier and the No. 7 team still put together an impressive 2025 season. 

After winning his first title in 2024, Allgaier visited victory lane thrice in 2025, winning back-to-back races at Las Vegas and Homestead-Miami and March and snagging a victory at Nashville on May 31. 

But the Riverton, Illinois, native was unable to win over the final 19 races of 2025, and while his consistency carried him to the Championship 4 for the eighth time in 10 years and the fourth year in a row, he was unable to beat Love and Zilisch in the closing laps at Phoenix.

That will leave Allgaier chasing his second championship in 2026 — the final year of his current contract with JR Motorsports. 

Quotes provided by NASCAR Media.