Seriously: NASCAR Driver Shocks on Xfinity Debut Following Major Red Bull Announcement
Connor Zilisch couldn’t have scripted a better start to his NASCAR Xfinity Series career. Making a remarkable debut, Zilisch captured the pole position in his inaugural race for JR Motorsports, driving the No. 88 Chevy. This feat is particularly impressive considering he had no actual seat time in an Xfinity car prior to race day, relying exclusively on simulator practice, as per NASCAR regulations.
Following a commanding performance in the ARCA Menards Series, where he won by a substantial 12 seconds and outpaced established competitors such as Ty Gibbs, AJ Allmendinger, and Justin Allgaier, Zilisch’s momentum continued to soar.
However, his success was contrasted by Shane van Gisbergen’s difficulties, who failed to advance to the final round of qualifying due to car issues.
Zilisch attributes much of his achievement to the support and performance of his JR Motorsports team, including crew chief Andrew Overstreet.
“I can’t express enough how grateful I am to everyone on this team,” Zilisch told NBC Sports.
The rookie’s impressive debut was not merely a stroke of luck but the result of meticulous preparation and a solid foundation laid by his team.
“Yeah, you’re not allowed to test in NASCAR, so all you have is the simulator. This is day one and my first ten laps in an Xfinity car. It feels great to get up to speed quickly. I’ve done a lot to prepare for this race, and it feels rewarding that all that hard work has paid off,” Zilisch said.
“Hopefully, later today in the race, I won’t miss Turn 1, and we can have a clean race and be there at the end. It’s a long race, so I need to pace myself and learn as we go. There are many talented drivers around me, so there’s a lot to absorb in the race later today, but starting off the day on a positive note is a great start,” he added.
Zilisch’s stellar debut in the Xfinity Series adds to his growing list of achievements, including his recent ARCA Menards Series win and a successful Truck Series debut where he also secured pole position. Now, stepping into the Xfinity Series, he’s demonstrating his skill as a promising driver.
Securing pole position on his debut day marks a significant milestone early in his career, and his recent Red Bull sponsorship deal only enhances his promising future in NASCAR.
