NASCAR
Connor Zilisch Picks Up Third-Straight Watkins Glen O’Reilly Win After Last-Corner Pass
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. – The driver and track combo of Connor Zilisch and Watkins Glen International have fit together like hand in glove. The 19-year-old earned his third consecutive O’Reilly Series win on the New York road course after a thrilling last lap that came down to a final corner move over his best friend. The road racing ace will now try and convert this winning confidence into a breakout first Cup Series effort at his favorite course on Sunday.
Both stages would be ran largely incident-free, with these wins going to Brent Crews and Connor Zilisch. Both teenage racing prodigies were easily the standouts of the field from the outset. Crews took over on lap four after starting fourth. Zilisch, meanwhile, clawed his way forward from a 17th-place grid position.
The first chess move for this race’s finish came with 25 laps left, when Jesse Love made his final pit stop. This gave the Richard Childress Racing No. 2 prime track position, but his best friend Zilisch quickly closed in after pitting a few laps later. Even clipping the bus stop grass with six laps to go could not keep Zilisch at bay.
.@ConnorZilisch was closing fast on leader @jesselovejr1 before this crucial miscue.
Can he still get it done? pic.twitter.com/c8f8MxJjsP
— The CW Sports (@TheCW_Sports) May 9, 2026
By the last lap, Zilisch was on Love’s bumper enough to pressure the leader into overcooking turn seven. This rare mistake by the reigning O’Reilly Series champion allowed Zilisch to scoot by. The 1 would win the drag race to the finish line.
A DRAMATIC ENDING AT WATKINS GLEN@ConnorZilisch overtakes Jesse Love on the last turn for his third straight win at the track! pic.twitter.com/7XvQmq2EKq
— The CW Sports (@TheCW_Sports) May 9, 2026
In a moment of great sportsmanship and respect, Zilisch’s mother was the first to comfort Love post-race. Also poking fun at his victory lane injury here last year, Trackhouse Racing team owner Justin Marks threw a couch cushion down in front of Zilisch for his celebration.
.@ConnorZilisch and his team came prepared this time 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/v79yG6GVml
— The CW Sports (@TheCW_Sports) May 9, 2026
“That was driving as hard as I could for all 30 of those laps, just trying to make up that gap,” Zilisch said. “I wasn’t going to move Jesse in the last corner there. But he got in deep, and I was able to get by.”
“It’s so cool to come back and get my third win at Watkins Glen in a row with JRM. Cool to get it with Rodney (Childers). He’s my third different crew chief here. Really means a lot to get another one here and get out of the car safely and make it onto the ground without trying to kill myself. Cool to have so many JRM cars running up front at points of that race.”
Zilisch’s Watkins Glen O’Reilly Series three-peat matches streaks also put up by Terry Labonte and Marcos Ambrose. This also marked an 11th-straight road course win for JR Motorsports and a 13th checkered flag for Zilisch.
Finishing just behind the top duo were: Taylor Gray, Ross Chastain, and Brandon Jones. The rest of Watkins Glen’s top 10 were: Brent Crews, Parker Retzlaff, Shane van Gisbergen, Austin Green, and Justin Allgaier. Thanks to his 10th-place result, Allgaier advances his championship lead now to 155 points over Sheldon Creed.
O’Reilly Series competitors will be back in action next week from Dover Motor Speedway. The Monster Mile will roar to life with the BetRivers 200 on Saturday at 4 p.m. ET on The CW, PRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Written by Peter Stratta
Be sure to follow us on Twitter/X
Be sure to follow the writer on Twitter/X
Photo credit to Sean Gardner/Getty Images
