Zilisch gets 10th season win as all four JRM cars advance in Xfinity playoffs

Connor Zilisch Secures Tenth Win; Dramatic Playoff Shuffle in Xfinity Series

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NASCAR Xfinity Series rookie Connor Zilisch achieved a remarkable milestone, claiming his tenth victory of the season. The 19-year-old driver, piloting the No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet, dominated the race, leading 61 of 68 laps before a late caution secured his win.

Zilisch’s victory comes as he continues to shine in his debut season, marking his first triumph on the challenging 2.28-mile circuit and the 11th of his career. “It feels really good to get 10. Double digits is pretty awesome for my first year in the series,” Zilisch said, emphasizing his excitement about competing in his hometown. He vows to focus on clinching the championship next.

Behind Zilisch, the battle for the final playoff spots proved intense. JR Motorsports celebrated a significant achievement, with all four of its drivers—Zilisch, Carson Kvapil, Justin Allgaier, and Sam Smith—advancing to the Round of 8. Smith’s advancement was particularly dramatic; he secured the final spot by just one point after a tire issue led him to pit road on lap 63. A timely caution allowed him to rejoin the race with fresh tires. He climbed from seventh to third in the final laps, thanks to Taylor Gray’s misfortune, which dropped him to 13th.

“I’m proud of everyone at JRM and everyone on my team,” Smith commented on his crew’s strategy. “It was a Hail Mary move, and it worked.”

In contrast, Taylor Gray’s heartbreaking near-miss left him visibly disappointed. “Just obviously bummed out. We don’t get to go racing for a championship at the end of the year. Just weren’t good enough today,” he reflected.

Other notable performances included Austin Green, earning a career-best runner-up finish, and non-playoff drivers Kaz Grala, Connor Mosack, Jeb Burton, and William Sawalich, who finished in the top seven. Defending champion Justin Allgaier took eighth, while Nick Sanchez and Austin Hill, both playoff contenders, faced challenges that derailed their advancement.

Sanchez struggled with pit road penalties, and Hill suffered engine issues, ultimately finishing 28th and missing the Round of 8.

The outcome sets the stage for an exciting postseason, with Zilisch and his JR Motorsports teammates poised to compete for the championship.