NASCAR
Connor Zilisch Conquers Charlotte Roval for 10th Checkered Flag of 2025
CONCORD, N.C. – NASCAR Xfinity Series history books continue to be rewritten by generational talent Connor Zilisch. In perhaps his most impressive outing yet, the JR Motorsports No. 88 had another nearly-flawless afternoon on the Charlotte Roval. 10 wins is the new Xfinity Series rookie record set by Zilisch in another flat-out domination run. Zilisch is now the top dog for the Round of 8, with no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
The afternoon started off historic, with JRM sweeping the top five spots in qualifying. This marked the first time any team had achieved this feat, with Zilisch leading the way. The No. 88 Chevrolet would go onto lead all but seven laps throughout the entire race, only relinquishing the lead to short pit stages. Even with this strategy play, Zilisch won Stage 1 and was 10th in Stage 2. The only bonus point not claimed by Zilisch went to his best friend Jesse Love.
Zilisch’s seemingly easy march to victory lane would only be momentarily halted by a late caution. In overtime, fellow JR Motorsports driver Sammy Smith lined up eighth on fresh tires, but could only rally to third. A last-lap caution for fluid gave Zilisch his record-setting win under the yellow flag, capping off another blistering run for the 88.
“Enough people stayed out with me to give me a gap,” Zilisch said. “Man, thank you all for coming out first of all. So much fun getting to race in my hometown. JR Motorsports cars were so fast this weekend. My WeatherTech Chevrolet was as fast as Xfinity Mobile all day long. First in practice, qualified on the pole, led a lot of laps, and came home with the win. Feels really good to get 10. Double digits is pretty awesome for my first year in this series. Now we just got to go win the championship.”
Splitting the two JRM cars at the finish was Austin Green, who earned a career-best outing with Jordan Anderson Racing. Sammy Smith, Kaz Grala, and Connor Mosack rounded out the top-five. The rest of the top-10 were: Jeb Burton, William Sawalich, Justin Allgaier, Nick Sanchez, and Christian Eckes. Hear from a few of these drivers below.
.@austingreen2_ speaks on a career-best runner-up result in the Xfinity Series with @JARnascar. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/CpXG5UB7B6
— Peter Stratta (@peterstratta) October 4, 2025
.@sammysmithSS talks about the emotions of restarting in overtime with fresh tires, only to wait and find out his @JRMotorsports 8 team made the Round of 8 by finishing 3rd. #NASCAR#NASCARPlayoffs #BlueCrossNC250 pic.twitter.com/L0mLoq6s5A
— Peter Stratta (@peterstratta) October 4, 2025
.@KazGrala is thrilled to earn a 4th-place run with @Team_SHR26 from the Roval, saying he’s undefeated in top-5s here with SHR. #BlueCrossNC250#NASCARPlayoffs#NASCAR pic.twitter.com/hYw5AQ5Nwj
— Peter Stratta (@peterstratta) October 4, 2025
Eliminated from Playoff contention after the Charlotte Roval were: Taylor Gray, Nick Sanchez, Austin Hill, and Harrison Burton. A few of these drivers’ thoughts are below.
“I’m probably going to go home and cry myself to sleep…,” @Taylor_Gray says after coming just a few positions short of transferring to the Round of 8. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/gnE1v9Asow
— Noah Lewis (@Noah_Lewis1) October 4, 2025
“If anything it was my fault for losing the No. 21 bonus points,” Austin Hill says.
The bonus points Hill would have had prior to his one-race suspension would have made the difference in advancing tonight. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/iERrCact0Z
— Noah Lewis (@Noah_Lewis1) October 4, 2025
The reset Playoff grid remains ultra tight past Zilisch and Allgaier. The bottom six drivers are only separated by 17 points, setting up a dogfight for the Round of 8.
Las Vegas, Talladega, Martinsville.
Here are the unofficial Round of 8 #XfinitySeries standings! pic.twitter.com/6HeFwjfm83
— Xfinity Racing (@XfinityRacing) October 4, 2025
The Xfinity Series’ Round of 8 kicks off at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, where Zilisch hopes to retain his domination over the competition. Whoever has the lucky hand in Las Vegas may cash in a Championship 4 ticket. The Focused Health 302 goes green Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET on The CW, PRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Written by Peter Stratta
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Photo Credit to Jordan Bank/Getty Images
