Zilisch Claims Wawa 250 Victory Amid Kligerman’s Impressive Performance
Daytona International Speedway—Connor Zilisch was officially credited with the win at the Wawa 250 Presented by Coca-Cola, marking his seventh victory of the season in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. However, it was part-time driver Parker Kligerman who executed a crucial performance in the No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet after stepping in for Zilisch, who was recovering from a collarbone injury sustained in a celebration two weeks prior.
Kligerman entered the race on lap 13, following a driver switch under caution. He delivered a commanding performance, holding off strong competition until the race concluded under caution after a multi-car wreck on the final lap. This victory served as redemption for Kligerman, who was disqualified from a previous race at Daytona due to a technical infraction.
“I didn’t expect to get a call from Dale (Earnhardt) Jr. while leaving for vacation,” Kligerman said. “I hate the circumstances for Connor. He’s an incredible talent, and I feel honored to be in this seat.”
Zilisch’s record will reflect his seventh win, tying him with Christopher Bell for the most wins by a Sunoco rookie in series history. Zilisch celebrated from the pit box and joined Kligerman on the frontstretch for a brief congratulatory moment after the race.
In the closing stages, Zilisch received support from teammate Justin Allgaier, who finished third, leading to a dominant 1-2-3 finish for JR Motorsports. Zilisch’s earlier position allowed him to secure valuable points for the team.
With this result, Allgaier regained the series lead, extending his advantage to four points over Zilisch heading into the next race at Portland International Raceway.
In contrast, Harrison and Jeb Burton faced significant challenges in their quest for a playoff spot. Harrison spun early in the race and lost laps, but managed to recover to finish 16th. Jeb, who initially scored points, fell victim to a crash later in the race, ending in 20th. This result gives Harrison a critical 36-point lead in the playoff standings with just two races remaining in the regular season.
The race featured a competitive field, with Jesse Love finishing fourth, followed closely by Sam Mayer and Brandon Jones. Ryan Sieg led the race for 19 laps but was caught in the substantial wreck on lap 97, resulting in a 31st-place finish and further complicating his playoff positioning.
Results Summary:
- Connor Zilisch (JR Motorsports)
- Parker Kligerman (JR Motorsports)
- Justin Allgaier (JR Motorsports)
- Jesse Love
- Sam Mayer
- Brandon Jones
- Dean Thompson
- Garrett Smithley
- Brennan Poole
- Carson Kvapil
As the season nears its conclusion, attention now turns to the next event at Portland, where strategic plays and team dynamics will prove crucial for championship aspirations.
