Connor Zilisch prevails for an emotional NASCAR Xfinity Sequence victory at Pocono Raceway on Saturday afternoon within the Discover the Pocono Mountains 250.
In a day of various methods and dramatic restarts among the many entrance runners, JR Motorsports rookie Connor Zilisch prevailed in a late race dash to the checkered flag in Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Sequence’ Discover the Pocono Mountains 250 at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway – the primary oval win of this younger expertise’s profession.
Connor Zilisch’s Emotional Victory
Late-race restarts decided the day, and finally, it got here all the way down to a duel between Zilisch and his finest buddy, final yr’s Rookie of the Yr, Jesse Love. Zilisch pulled his No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet alongside Love’s automotive as they crossed the beginning/end line with 4 laps to go, after which he took the lead for good with three laps remaining – 0.437 seconds forward of the sphere.
It was a resolute day for the 18-year-old Zilisch, who had some key assist in his headset from a first-time crew chief. His group proprietor, NASCAR Corridor of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr., stuffed in for the group’s full-time chief, Mardy Lindley, who was serving a one-race suspension.
Dale Earnhardt Jr on the Pit Field and Serving to the Crew on Pit Street
The 2-time Daytona 500 winner Earnhardt, an icon within the sport, not solely referred to as the race from atop Zilisch’s pit field but in addition climbed down and helped out on pit stops, too. He was ecstatic after the race in his debut, calling the pictures. He’s the fifth crew chief this season to earn his first Xfinity Sequence victory.
“Only a nice job placing us in place to succeed, we had a whole lot of issues go our method, a whole lot of good luck, good race technique, had slightly assist from [his former NASCAR Cup Series crew chief Steve] Letarte,” a grinning Earnhardt stated, applauding Lindley’s preparation for the weekend.
“Hat’s off to everyone on this group,” he continued. “It’s been wonderful all weekend lengthy. Nice race automotive driver. Connor Zilisch goes to be a giant deal on this sport for a very long time. Lots of enjoyable for me as we speak.”
Zilisch was equally exuberant, having to work arduous for this win, his second of the season. Ten warning flags on the afternoon created various methods and an actual check of restart expertise.
“I’ve been dying for this one for some time now, I’ve been so shut on the ovals recently,” Zilisch stated. “I completed second at Charlotte, second at Nashville.
“And Dale Junior, not too unhealthy on the field,” he stated smiling, saying he appreciated Earnhardt’s recommendation all through the race. “Fairly cool to have him up there. Thanks a lot to the complete JR Motorsports group. … this one is unquestionably particular. I’ve been chasing an oval win for some time now.”
Chase Elliott vs. Justin Allgaier
For a lot of the day, Zilisch’s biggest problem up entrance got here from former NASCAR Cup Sequence champion Chase Elliott, who’s competing in each the Xfinity and Cup Sequence races this weekend. Elliott led probably the most laps – 38 of the 100 in comparison with Zilisch’s 34 out entrance.
Elliott and the sequence’ present championship chief, JR Motorsports’ Justin Allgaier, had been up entrance on a restart with 13 laps remaining. Whereas contending for the lead, they almost got here collectively and needed to take evasive motion up the monitor to not collide.
Jesse Love: Within the Proper Place on the Proper Time – However Then…
Love took benefit of the scenario and got here by from the second row to stake a declare to the race lead within the No. 2 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet. A warning got here out nearly instantly after Love moved to the entrance, and that allowed Zilisch to start out straight behind him on that ultimate restart, leaving the trophy as much as the 2 mates to resolve.
“That’s probably the most targeted I’ve ever been inside a race automotive, I didn’t need Connor to beat me as a result of I’ll have to listen to about it for a very long time,” stated Love, with a smile. “Hats off to him. He ran a superb race. As soon as I used to be capable of get a draft I used to be capable of get again to him. However that bums me out, I’m not going to lie, however I’m nonetheless making an attempt to be grateful we’ve got quick race automobiles and are in place to win. Hats off to Connor.”
One other rookie rounded out the highest three with Kaulig Racing’s Christian Eckes claiming a career-best third-place end within the No. 16 Chevrolet. Elliott rallied to complete fourth, and Ryan Seig was fifth in his family-owned Ford.
Carson Kvapil, Sam Mayer, Sammy Smith, rookie Taylor Grey, and Justin Allgaier rounded out the highest ten.
The reigning sequence champion Allgaier, now holds an 82-point championship benefit on RCR’s Austin Hill, who was collected in an early-race accident and completed thirty fifth.
Up Subsequent
The NASCAR Xfinity Sequence strikes to Atlanta for Friday evening’s Centered Well being 250 at EchoPark Speedway. The beginning of the race is round 7:30 p.m. ET on the CW, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Austin Hill has gained the final three Atlanta races – the latest this February.
