{"id":53515,"date":"2025-07-19T18:40:18","date_gmt":"2025-07-19T23:40:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/?p=53515"},"modified":"2025-07-21T11:01:29","modified_gmt":"2025-07-21T16:01:29","slug":"connor-zilisch-wins-rain-shortened-race-at-moster-mile","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2025\/07\/19\/connor-zilisch-wins-rain-shortened-race-at-moster-mile\/","title":{"rendered":"Connor Zilisch wins rain-shortened race at Moster Mile"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Connor Zilisch, driver of the #88 Carolina Carports Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series BetRivers 200 at Dover Motor Speedway on July 19, 2025 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Sean Gardner\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

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By Holly Cain, NASCAR Wire Service<\/em><\/p>\n

Lest anyone doubt the all-around natural racing talent of 18-year-old Connor Zilisch, the rookie claimed a series best fourth NASCAR Xfinity Series victory on the season in Saturday\u2019s rain-shortened BetRivers 200 at the one-mile Dover (Del.) Motor Speedway.<\/p>\n

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Connor Zilisch, driver of the #88 Carolina Carports Chevrolet, drives during the NASCAR Xfinity Series BetRivers 200 at Dover Motor Speedway on July 19, 2025 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Sean Gardner\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

Zilisch led 77 of the race\u2019s 134 laps in his No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet before NASCAR was forced to call the scheduled 200-lap race early because of rain. A pair of Joe Gibbs Racing Toyotas, driven by former NASCAR Cup Series veteran Aric Almirola and Xfinity regular Brandon Jones rounded out the top three.<\/p>\n

Although he qualified third \u2013 three rookies topped the starting grid \u2013 Zilisch ran first or second for most of the race, ultimately taking the lead for good on the restart following the Stage 2 break.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been showing it lately,\u2019\u2019 a smiling Zilisch said when he was informed on pit road the race was official and he was the winner. \u201cFirst of all I hate that we couldn\u2019t finish the race the right way. Aric [Almirola] was really fast and was going to give me a run for my money. Props to him for making me work for it.<\/p>\n

\u201cStill really proud of this Junior Motorsports team. \u2026 We capitalized on all fronts, had good pit stops both stages and put ourselves in a position to be in the right spot when the rain fell. Very thankful.\u201d<\/p>\n

Zilisch\u2019s win total is best in the series. And the North Carolina teenager has been so good this summer that that he\u2019s now on an eight-race top-five streak that includes three wins and three runner-up finishes for an average finish of 2.25. He\u2019s led laps in 15 of the 20 races.<\/p>\n

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Connor Zilisch, driver of the #88 Carolina Carports Chevrolet, drives during the NASCAR Xfinity Series BetRivers 200 at Dover Motor Speedway on July 19, 2025 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Sean Gardner\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

Even before making his fulltime NASCAR debut this season, Zilisch was a multi-race winner in the sports car ranks with huge victories in the biggest races on the schedule – last year\u2019s Daytona 24 hour and Sebring 12 hour endurance classics.<\/p>\n

Not too surprisingly, he immediately proved himself a road-course ace when given the NASCAR Xfinity Series opportunity, even winning from pole position in his first series start at historic Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International last summer.<\/p>\n

He answered that resoundingly this year as a full-time competitor, hoisting trophies at Circuit of the Americas and Sonoma, Calif. road courses, but also proving his oval-metal winning at the 2.5-mile Pocono (Pa.) Raceway last month and now adding the one-miler to an increasingly broad resume.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Connor Zilisch, driver of the #88 Carolina Carports Chevrolet, and Hall of Famer and JR Motorsports team owner, Dale Earnhardt Jr. celebrate in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series BetRivers 200 at Dover Motor Speedway on July 19, 2025 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Sean Gardner\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

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Zilisch\u2019s effort at Dover\u2019s Monster Mile moves him into second place in the championship standings \u2013 56 points behind points leader \u2013 and his JR Motorsports teammate, and the reigning series champ \u2013 Justin Allgaier, who finished fourth Saturday.<\/p>\n

Zilisch\u2019s best friend, Richard Childress Racing\u2019s Jesse Love was fifth at Dover, followed by Ryan Sieg, polesitter Taylor Gray, Sheldon Creed and rookies William Sawalich and Christian Eckes rounding out the top 10.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been awesome and I feel like even when we miss a little bit we\u2019re still a top-five car and being able to go the race track and know that in the back of your head has definitely been comforting and confidence inspiring every weekend,\u2019\u2019 Zilisch said. \u201cGotta keep knocking the door down with wins.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jeb Burton, who finished 20th, now holds a seven-point advantage on his cousin Harrison Burton for the 12th and final Playoff-eligible position in points.<\/p>\n

The NASCAR Xfinity Series returns to action next Saturday at the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway. NASCAR Cup Series regular Riley Herbst is the defending race winner.<\/p>\n

Interview:<\/h3>\n

NXS Race Winner – Connor Zilisch (No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet) – <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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NASCAR Xfinity Series Race – BetRivers 200<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dover Motor Speedway<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dover, Delaware<\/strong><\/p>\n

Saturday, July 19, 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n

                1. (3)  Connor Zilisch #, Chevrolet, 134.<\/p>\n

                2. (6)  Aric Almirola, Toyota, 134.<\/p>\n

                3. (4)  Brandon Jones, Toyota, 134.<\/p>\n

                4. (7)  Justin Allgaier, Chevrolet, 134.<\/p>\n

                5. (12)  Jesse Love, Chevrolet, 134.<\/p>\n

                6. (19)  Ryan Sieg, Ford, 134.<\/p>\n

                7. (1)  Taylor Gray #, Toyota, 134.<\/p>\n

                8. (11)  Sheldon Creed, Ford, 134.<\/p>\n

                9. (8)  William Sawalich #, Toyota, 134.<\/p>\n

                10. (31)  Christian Eckes #, Chevrolet, 134.<\/p>\n

                11. (9)  Harrison Burton, Ford, 134.<\/p>\n

                12. (13)  Sam Mayer, Ford, 134.<\/p>\n

                13. (15)  Austin Hill, Chevrolet, 134.<\/p>\n

                14. (18)  Matt DiBenedetto, Chevrolet, 134.<\/p>\n

                15. (14)  Carson Kvapil #, Chevrolet, 134.<\/p>\n

                16. (20)  Dean Thompson #, Toyota, 134.<\/p>\n

                17. (21)  Jake Finch, Chevrolet, 134.<\/p>\n

                18. (32)  Ryan Truex, Toyota, 134.<\/p>\n

                19. (27)  Parker Retzlaff, Chevrolet, 134.<\/p>\n

                20. (10)  Jeb Burton, Chevrolet, 134.<\/p>\n

                21. (30)  Daniel Dye #, Chevrolet, 134.<\/p>\n

                22. (16)  Rajah Caruth(i), Chevrolet, 134.<\/p>\n

                23. (26)  Anthony Alfredo, Chevrolet, 134.<\/p>\n

                24. (17)  Sammy Smith, Chevrolet, 134.<\/p>\n

                25. (23)  Brennan Poole, Chevrolet, 134.<\/p>\n

                26. (28)  Jeremy Clements, Chevrolet, 134.<\/p>\n

                27. (29)  Josh Williams, Chevrolet, 134.<\/p>\n

                28. (22)  Lavar Scott, Chevrolet, 134.<\/p>\n

                29. (25)  Leland Honeyman, Chevrolet, 133.<\/p>\n

                30. (34)  Ryan Ellis, Chevrolet, 131.<\/p>\n

                31. (36)  Kaz Grala(i), Chevrolet, 131.<\/p>\n

                32. (24)  Blaine Perkins, Chevrolet, 131.<\/p>\n

                33. (38)  Nick Leitz, Chevrolet, 131.<\/p>\n

                34. (33)  Josh Bilicki, Chevrolet, 131.<\/p>\n

                35. (37)  Garrett Smithley, Chevrolet, 131.<\/p>\n

                36. (35)  Kyle Sieg, Ford, 131.<\/p>\n

                37. (2)  Nick Sanchez #, Chevrolet, Steering, 107.<\/p>\n

                38. (5)  Ross Chastain(i), Chevrolet, Rear Gear, 106.<\/p>\n

Average Speed of Race Winner:  105.999 mph.<\/p>\n

Time of Race:  1 Hrs, 15 Mins, 51 Secs. Margin of Victory:  Under Caution Seconds.<\/p>\n

Caution Flags:  3 for 18 laps.<\/p>\n

Lead Changes:  4 among 4 drivers.<\/p>\n

Lap Leaders:   T. Gray # 1-49;B. Jones 50-54;C. Zilisch # 55-95;K. Sieg 96-98;C. Zilisch # 99-134.<\/p>\n

Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led):  Connor Zilisch # 2 times for 77 laps; Taylor Gray # 1 time for 49 laps; Brandon Jones 1 time for 5 laps; Kyle Sieg 1 time for 3 laps.<\/p>\n

Stage #1 Top Ten: 54,19,20,88,9,48,7,18,2,00<\/p>\n

Stage #2 Top Ten: 88,19,20,7,39,9,2,00,18,21<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  By Holly Cain, NASCAR Wire Service Lest anyone doubt the all-around natural racing talent of 18-year-old Connor Zilisch, the rookie claimed a series best fourth NASCAR Xfinity Series victory on the season in Saturday\u2019s rain-shortened BetRivers 200 at the one-mile Dover (Del.) Motor Speedway. Zilisch led 77 of the race\u2019s 134 laps in his […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":676,"featured_media":53479,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[11],"tags":[905,222,16,181],"class_list":["post-53515","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nascar","tag-connor-zilisch","tag-dover-international-speedway","tag-nascar","tag-nascar-xfinity-series"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/GettyImages-2226048100-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1707&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7hzTZ-dV9","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53515","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/676"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=53515"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53515\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":53519,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53515\/revisions\/53519"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/53479"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=53515"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=53515"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=53515"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}