NASCAR

NASCAR Xfinity Series National Debt Relief 250: Qualifying, Parker Retzlaff’s Pole Position, Lineup At Martinsville Speedway

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Jeff Hawkins
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Jeff Hawkins Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He joined the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on NASCAR's increasing corporate influences, particularly in northern racetracks — commentary which you might find Jeff building on as part of the Motorsports writing team at Sportscasting now.  

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Published2 hours ago on November 01, 2024

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xfinity brennanpoole resigns with alpha prime racing (1)

Two non-playoff pilots, Parker Retzlaff and Anthony Alfredo, claimed the top NASCAR Xfinity Series’ starting spots for Saturday’s National Debt Relief 250 at Martinsville Speedway.  

Retzlaff on Friday turned in a hot qualifying lap of 95.151 mph, securing his second career pole. The third-year competitor edged Alfredo by 0.012 seconds. 

The next six drivers, Chandler Smith (95.075 mph), Jesse Love (95.051), Justin Allgaier (94.993), Austin Hill (94.965), Sammy Smith (94.855) and Sheldon Creed (94.851), qualified to fill out the next three rows. 

Hill and AJ Allmendinger have qualified for next weekend’s Championship 4 at Phoenix Raceway. With two spots open, Allgaier ranks third among playoff drivers, 35 points above the elimination line. Fourth-ranked Cole Custer, the defending circuit champion, paces fifth-ranked Chandler Smith by 28 points. 

Love, who enters Saturday’s Round of 8 finale 35 points below the cutoff line, earned the top practice lap time, clocking in at 20.454 seconds. Matt DiBenedetto (20.465 seconds) placed second. 

Alpha Prime Racing Retains Brennan Poole

With one 2025 seat open, Alpha Prime Racing secured the full-time services of Brennan Poole’s services for a second consecutive season, the team announced Thursday.

“He’s not going anywhere,” the organization posted on X (Twitter).

In 31 starts piloting the No. 44 Chevrolet, Poole recorded one top-five finish and two top-10s at Talladega Superspeedway. He ranks 16th in the driver standings, entering Martinsville with 534 points. With two events left, Poole is trending to give the team its best finish.

The Mooresville, N.C.-based organization reportedly did not invite driver Ryan Ellis back to drive the No. 43 Chevrolet next season.

“Being part of Alpha Prime has meant so much to me,” he said, as reported by Newsweek Sports. “They helped me achieve a lifelong dream of racing full-time in NASCAR.”  

Starting Lineup for NASCAR Xfinity Series’ National Debt Relief 250    

Here is a look at the lineup for Sunday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series’ National Debt Relief 250 at Martinsville Speedway: 

Starting Position, Driver, Car No., Team

  • 1, Parker Retzlaff, 31, Jordan Anderson Racing  
  • 2, Anthony Alfredo, 5, Our Motorsports 
  • 3, Chandler Smith, 81, Joe Gibbs Racing  
  • 4, Jesse Love, 2, Richard Childress Racing  
  • 5, Justin Allgaier, 7, JR Motorsports  
  • 6, Austin Hill, 21, Richard Childress Racing  
  • 7, Sammy Smith, 8, Jr Motorsports  
  • 8,  Sheldon Creed, 18, Joe Gibbs Racing 
  • 9, Aric Almirola, 20, Joe Gibbs Racing  
  • 10, Cole Custer, 00, Stewart-Haas Racing  
  • 11, AJ Allmendinger, 16, Kaulig Racing  
  • 12, Sam Mayer, 1, JR Motorsports  
  • 13, Riley Herbst, 98, Stewart-Haas Racing 
  • 14, Brandon Jones, 9, JR Motorsports  
  • 15, William Sawalich, 19, Joe Gibbs Racing  
  • 16, Matt DiBenedetto, 38, RSS Racing  
  • 17, Bubba Pollard, 26, Sam Hunt Racing  
  • 18, Parker Kligerman, 48, Big Machine Racing  
  • 19, Brennan Poole, 44, Alpha Prime Racing  
  • 20, Shane van Gisbergen, 97, Kaulig Racing  
  • 21, Jeb Burton, 27, Jordan Anderson Racing  
  • 22, Myatt Snider, 91, DGM Racing  
  • 23, Josh Williams, 11, Kaulig Racing  
  • 24, Blaine Perkins, 29, RSS Racing  
  • 25, Leland Honeyman, 42, Young’s Motorsports  
  • 26, Ryan Ellis, 43, Alpha Prime Racing  
  • 27, Kyle Sieg, 39, RSS Racing  
  • 28, Dawson Cram, 92, DGM Racing  
  • 29, Jeremy Clements, 51, Jeremy Clements Racing  
  • 30, Garrett Smithley, 45, Alpha Prime Racing  
  • 31, Dylan Lupton, 15, AM Racing  
  • 32, Preston Pardus, 50, Pardus Racing Inc.  
  • 33, Carson Ware, 35, Joey Gase Motorsports  
  • 34, Logan Bearden, 74, Mike Harmon Racing 
  • 35, Patrick Emerling, 07, SS GreenLight Racing  
  • 36, Mason Maggio, 53, Joey Gase Motorsports  
  • 37, Greg van Alst, 14, SS GreenLight Racing 
  • 38, Ryan Sieg, 28, RSS Racing