Will Brown’s NASCAR Xfinity Debut Cut Short at Portland
PORTLAND, Ore. — Supercars champion Will Brown’s highly anticipated NASCAR Xfinity Series debut ended in disappointment on Saturday, as mechanical issues forced him to retire early from the Pacific Office Automation 147 at Portland International Raceway.
Brown, the reigning star of Australia’s Repco Supercars Championship, entered the race as one of the weekend’s most intriguing storylines. Fans and media alike were eager to see how the Gold Coast native would adapt from the high-powered touring cars of Australia to NASCAR’s stock cars on a technical 1.97-mile road course.
After a steady start, Brown showed flashes of potential, settling into the mid-pack and gaining valuable experience in traffic. Unfortunately, his afternoon came undone when a mechanical problem sidelined his car before the checkered flag.
“It’s not the result we wanted, but just being here was a huge experience,” Brown said after the race. “The racing is so different — these cars move around a lot, and the competition is really tough. I would’ve loved to finish and get more laps in, but I’ve already learned so much and can’t wait to come back.”
Brown is one of several international drivers who have tested the waters in NASCAR in recent years, part of the sport’s increasing global appeal. His aggressive yet calculated driving style in Supercars has earned him comparisons to some of NASCAR’s road-course specialists, making his debut a notable moment despite the premature end.
Fans gave Brown a warm reception, and many are hopeful Saturday won’t be his only Xfinity appearance. While his Portland run was cut short, the experience laid the groundwork for potential future starts in America’s top stock-car ladder.
The race itself was dominated by Connor Zilisch, who captured his eighth win of the 2025 season. But for Brown, the story was less about results and more about a first step — one that could open the door to more NASCAR opportunities in the future.
Do you want me to frame this article more as a feature profile (focusing on Brown’s crossover from Supercars to NASCAR) rather than just a race recap?
