NASCAR
Teenage Road Racing Prodigy Connor Zilisch Wins First NASCAR Xfinity Series Start
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. – If you have not heard the name Connor Zilisch, get ready to start hearing about him a lot. The 18-year-old turned many heads in his first Xfinity Series outing at Watkins Glen. The Charlotte, NC native put the JR Motorsports No. 88 Chevrolet on pole, and converted this into a very dominant win. Going full-time with this team next year, the next NASCAR superstar may already be among us.
Fresh off an ARCA win at Watkins Glen the day before, Zilisch was unbeaten in all of Stage 1. Even with being set mid-pack to start the second Stage, the 88 still wheeled its way up to fourth by the second break.
Just about a perfect series debut up until this point was almost thrown away entirely. Zilisch was one of three leaders to cut through the inner loop under yellow early in the final stage. This sent Zilisch, Ty Gibbs, and Sam Mayer all to the tail for the next restart. All three of these young prospects soon found the front again, however.
Fuel was a primary concern in the 88 camp for the final run to the checkers. Zilisch was told he had to save two laps’ worth of fuel; his gas tank was ultimately a gallon shy of making the checkers. Even despite a few cautions and a red flag, Zilisch remained out front and never stumbled. The Rolex 24 and Sebring 12 Hours winner now adds a NASCAR victory to his trophy case.
“I don’t even have words, I worked so hard for this one,” Zilisch said. “I’ve been working for this one for months, and it’s so special to me. I don’t know how I saved enough, I sputtered up the hill with two to go, and didn’t think I would make it back to the line. I was saving the last two laps. I’m going to enjoy this one for awhile, this is special. I can’t say enough about JR Motorsports, Team Trackhouse, everyone who supports me, Silver Hare Racing, Carolina Car Ports, for coming on board for my debut. All the fans for showing out today, thank you guys so much. 1-1 is not bad!”
“Coming into today I just wanted to run all the laps. I ran them all, and I came home with a win too. I can’t complain about that. Josh Wise has done so much for me, not only the racecar driver I am but also the person I am today. I can’t say enough about everyone at Chevrolet who’s helped over the years. My second race as a Red Bull athlete, I’m 2-2 with that helmet on, I guess it’s good luck. I just can’t thank everyone who’s helped me get to this point. It’s special to come out here and win my first race. Hopefully the first of many.”
The race did end under caution due to a large last-lap crash into the bus stop. Behind Zilisch were: Sheldon Creed, AJ Allmendinger, Chandler Smith, and Shane van Gisbergen. Ross Chastain, Parker Kligerman, Jesse Love, Joey Logano, and Josh Bilicki rounded out the top-10.
Zilisch becomes the seventh driver to win their Xfinity Series debut race, but the first to achieve this feat from the pole.
Even with a new Xfinity Series winner, the Playoff grid sees minimal change. Only one regular season race is left, with two Playoff spots still up for grabs. Take a look at the current standings below.
The final two 2024 Playoff berths all come down to Bristol. Xfinity cars will hit The Last Great Colosseum Friday night in the Food City 300. The green flag flies in the Tennessee foothills at 7:30 p.m. ET on The CW, PRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. Bristol kicks off The CW’s Xfinity Series coverage. The new network will surely be welcomed to NASCAR with some fireworks under the lights.
Written by Peter Stratta
Be sure to follow us on Twitter/X
Be sure to follow the writer on Twitter/X
Photo Credits to Sean Gardner/Getty Images
