Zilisch Wins at Gateway, Claims Regular-Season Championship
Connor Zilisch continued his impressive rookie season in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with a commanding performance at the Nu Way 200 Sauced by Blues Hog at World Wide Technology Raceway. This victory, his ninth of the season and first on an oval from the pole position, solidified his status as a championship contender. Zilisch dominated the race, leading 121 of 160 laps, and secured the regular-season championship, earning 15 Playoff points, finishing 53 points ahead of reigning champion Justin Allgaier.
Zilisch’s win marked the fourth consecutive victory for the 19-year-old, tying the series record previously held by Sam Ard and Noah Gragson. His triumph was also the 16th for JR Motorsports this season, setting a new team record. He heads into the Playoffs with 59 points.
“If we keep this up, we’ll have a strong run,” Zilisch remarked post-race. “It’s been a remarkable season, and every weekend we show up thinking it might not go our way, but we keep winning.”
The race was notable for its late-restarter dynamics. Zilisch faced pressure from contenders like William Sawalich, who finished second, 1.506 seconds behind. Sawalich, who needed a win to qualify for the Playoffs, highlighted Zilisch’s dominance, stating, “The No. 88 was on rails tonight.”
Harrison Burton, who secured the final Playoff position, advanced despite finishing 22nd after a spin. His cousin, Jeb Burton, saw his hopes dashed after crashing into the wall on lap 100 due to tire issues. “That was a hard hit,” Jeb acknowledged post-race.
Allgaier’s bid for the title ended tragically when he was caught in a multi-car wreck on lap 135, sidelining his No. 7 Chevrolet. Sam Mayer also faced elimination in the same incident, finishing third overall in regular-season points.
Race Results:
- Connor Zilisch (JR Motorsports)
- William Sawalich (Joe Gibbs Racing)
- Christian Eckes (Toyota)
- Brandon Jones (Toyota)
- Jesse Love (Toyota)
- Aric Almirola (Ford)
As the series moves to the Playoff opener at Bristol Motor Speedway, Zilisch’s momentum and the shifting dynamics following the Gateway race set the stage for an exciting postseason.
