Connor Zilisch prevails for an exhilarating NASCAR Xfinity Sequence win at Sonoma Raceway on Saturday afternoon within the Pit Boss/Meals Maxx 250.
SONOMA, Calif.—In closing laps of the Pit Boss/FoodMaxx 250 at Sonoma Raceway, the pupil schooled the grasp.
Connor Zilisch Prevails at Sonoma
Taking shot after shot from JR Motorsports teammate Shane Van Gisbergen over the ultimate two laps, Connor Zilisch held off the extra skilled driver to say his third NASCAR Xfinity Sequence victory of the season and the fourth of his profession.
In what was a two-driver present from begin to end, Zilisch and Van Gisbergen, the pole winner, mixed to steer 70 of the 79 laps. Van Gisbergen surrendered the highest spot solely when the staff short-pitted the primary and second levels to recuperate observe place on the stage breaks.
For Zilisch, the victory was revenge for final Saturday’s Xfinity race on the Chicago Road Course, the place the 36-year-old Van Gisbergen ran his 18-year-old teammate huge within the second flip to take the lead and win a two-lap shootout for the victory.
However this Saturday, Zilisch survived contact from Van Gisbergen’s entrance bumper within the seventh activate the ultimate lap and gained the race to the end line, because the New Zealander tried in useless to cross over to the within in hairpin eleventh activate the ultimate lap.
Zilisch powered off the nook and gained the race to the end line by 0.438 seconds.
“First, hats off to Shane,” Zilisch mentioned after climbing from his automobile. “That was superior. “All race lengthy, I felt like we had been racing one another with respect. I wheel-hopped somewhat bit in flip seven one time and received into him. In any other case, it was superior to get to race towards him lastly and battle with him the entire race lengthy.”
The Leaders Saving Gas to Contend within the Finish
Each Zilisch and Van Gisbergen managed to tug away from the remainder of the sphere whereas saving gas throughout the closing stage.
“It’s at all times the toughest attempting to save lots of gas whereas somebody’s respiratory down your neck, Zilisch mentioned. “There was an opportunity that he may have gotten by me when he hit me, however he let me have it and raced me clear. I respect the hell out of him for that, and I’m trying ahead to racing towards him extra.
“We’re going to race one another at Watkins Glen, and that’s considered one of my favourite tracks, so I hope I can beat him once more there.”
Van Gisbergen knew he had a gap when his No. 9 Chevrolet made contact with Zilisch’s No. 88 within the seventh flip, however he backed off to let the race play out.
“I gave him a stumble upon 7, and he wheel-hopped, and I in all probability may have taken it, however I simply waited,” mentioned van Gisbergen, the defending race winner. “I didn’t wish to do it like that, after which we raced down the hill. What an superior race.
“I had a blast all day—actually, actually enjoyable.”
Zilisch led 46 laps to 24 for Van Gisbergen. The latter was attempting for his third straight NASCAR victory in as many begins after sweeping final weekend in Chicago.
Stable work on pit highway gave Zilisch management of the race for the ultimate restart on lap 51. He led the remainder of the best way, thwarting SVG’s persistent makes an attempt to strain him right into a mistake.
William Sawalich gained Friday’s ARCA race in an exhilarating end. He was the very best of the remaining on Saturday, coming residence third. The margin was 13.668 seconds behind Zilisch. Nick Sanchez ran fourth, adopted by Riley Herbst, collection chief Justin Allgaier, Taylor Grey, Carson Kvapil, Sammy Smith, and Sheldon Creed.
“I didn’t wish to must must do something soiled to win this race, and I’m glad I didn’t and glad to do it truthful and sq.,” Zilisch mentioned. “I discovered quite a bit racing round him, and he’s received so a few years of expertise on me that I can be taught from.”
With Allgaier, Kvapil, and Smith becoming a member of Zilisch and Van Gisbergen, JR Motorsports positioned 5 drivers within the high 9. The victory was the group’s tenth in 19 races this season.
Zilisch now ties Allgaier and Twelfth-place finisher Austin Hill for the collection lead within the playoff image, with three wins. With no wins, Sam Mayer is subsequent (-59), adopted by Jesse Love with one win.
Jeb Burton is Twelfth above the cutline, whereas his cousin Harrison Burton is thirteenth under the cutline.
Up Subsequent
The following race for the NASCAR Xfinity Sequence is at Dover Motor Speedway on Saturday, July nineteenth. The BetRiver 200 begins at 4:30 pm ET on CW, PRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. The 2024 winner is Ryan Truex.
