Justin Allgaier Dominates Nashville for Redemption Victory

Justin Allgaier returned to Victory Lane in a big way Saturday night, taking a convincing win in the Tennessee Lottery 250 at Nashville Superspeedway. After heartbreak in Charlotte last weekend, Allgaier delivered a near flawless performance to score his third NASCAR Xfinity Series win of the 2025 season, leading 101 of the 188 laps en route to victory.

The driver of the No. 7 JR Motorsports Chevrolet was fast from the drop of the green flag, quickly taking control of the race and sweeping both Stage 1 and Stage 2. Allgaier’s No. 7 machine was dialed in all night, particularly on the long runs, where he was able to stretch out leads and manage tire wear better than the competition.

“This one means a lot,” Allgaier said post-race. “Last week, I felt like I let my team down. We had the car to win at Charlotte, but I made a mistake. To come back here and execute like this, it’s emotional. I’m just thankful.”

Allgaier’s biggest threat came in the closing laps in the form of 18 year old Connor Zilisch, his JR Motorsports teammate making just his third career Xfinity Series start. Zilisch showed impressive composure in the late stages, slicing through the field after a strategic pit stop to restart on fresh tires. Despite the pressure, Allgaier kept his cool and maintained a steady gap to the No. 88, ultimately crossing the line 1.289 seconds ahead of Zilisch.

“I didn’t know where Connor came from at the end, but he did a great job,” Allgaier said. “It’s awesome to see the future of this sport coming up so strong.”

The win adds to Allgaier’s impressive 2025 campaign, which already includes victories at Dover and Richmond. With tonight’s triumph, he strengthens his position as a championship contender heading into the summer stretch.

Notable Moments from the Race:

Stage 1 Winner: Justin Allgaier – He quickly asserted dominance early, taking the lead from polesitter Cole Custer.

Stage 2 Winner: Justin Allgaier – Long-run pace gave him a comfortable edge over Chandler Smith and Austin Hill.

Biggest Mover: Connor Zilisch – Started outside the top 20 and charged to a runner-up finish.

Tire Strategy Shakes Things Up – A late-race caution saw split strategies, with some drivers staying out while others pitted for fresh tires. The fresh rubber proved valuable, allowing Zilisch and others to climb the leaderboard.

Final Restart (Lap 179) – Allgaier nailed the restart and never looked back, keeping clean air and hitting his marks lap after lap to secure the win.

Top 5 Finishers:

1. Justin Allgaier (JR Motorsports)

2. Connor Zilisch (JR Motorsports)

3. Chandler Smith (Joe Gibbs Racing)

4. Austin Hill (Richard Childress Racing)

5. Riley Herbst (Stewart-Haas Racing)

As the Xfinity Series continues to heat up heading into the summer months, Allgaier’s veteran experience and relentless drive are proving to be key ingredients in what could be a career-defining season.