Overview

• A dominant Gateway win at World Wide Technology Raceway gave Zilisch his ninth victory of 2025 and finalized the 12-driver playoff grid.
• NASCAR lists him with 59 playoff points, while Sheldon Creed, Taylor Gray and Harrison Burton claimed the last spots and Carson Kvapil advanced on points.
• Denny Hamlin predicted the No. 88 could reach 10 wins yet miss the crown under the format, with Justin Allgaier highlighted as a Phoenix specialist who could capitalize.
• Dale Earnhardt Jr. said he is “on pins and needles” about the format’s one-race decider, and Freddie Kraft warned a Phoenix incident would intensify criticism of the system.
• Hamlin labeled Zilisch Cup-ready with the right equipment, as Earnhardt Jr. forecast a rough first full Cup season and the driver noted recent celebration mishaps after an earlier collarbone injury.