{"id":57270,"date":"2026-04-11T22:30:48","date_gmt":"2026-04-12T03:30:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/?p=57270"},"modified":"2026-04-12T21:44:01","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T02:44:01","slug":"strategic-call-elevates-connor-zilisch-to-victory-at-thunder-valley","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/11\/strategic-call-elevates-connor-zilisch-to-victory-at-thunder-valley\/","title":{"rendered":"Strategic call elevates Connor Zilisch to victory at Thunder Valley"},"content":{"rendered":"
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BRISTOL, TENNESSEE – APRIL 11: Connor Zilisch, driver of the #1 Roto-Rooter Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Suburban Propane 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway on April 11, 2026 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Matt Kelley\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

By Reid Spencer, NASCAR Wire Service<\/em><\/p>\n

BRISTOL, Tenn.\u2014Connor Zilisch rediscovered his identity on Saturday night\u2014as a winner.<\/p>\n

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BRISTOL, TENNESSEE – APRIL 11: Connor Zilisch, driver of the #1 Roto-Rooter Chevrolet, takes the checkered flag to win the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Suburban Propane 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway on April 11, 2026 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

Thanks to a bold call from crew chief Rodney Childers, Zilisch stayed out on older tires with 28 laps left in the Suburban Propane 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway and took the checkered flag.<\/p>\n

With track position at the front of the field, Zilisch was able to hold off the dominant car of Kyle Larson, who had to settle for second place in after leading 230 of 300 laps and sweeping the first two stages in the ninth NASCAR O\u2019Reilly Auto Parts race of the season.<\/p>\n

For Zilisch, his first victory on a short track was a welcome respite from the struggles he has faced as rookie in the NASCAR Cup Series.<\/p>\n

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BRISTOL, TENNESSEE – APRIL 11: Connor Zilisch, driver of the #1 Roto-Rooter Chevrolet, celebrates with a burnout after winning the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Suburban Propane 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway on April 11, 2026 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cThat was awesome,\u201d said Zilisch, the fourth different winner for JR Motorsports this season. \u201cIt\u2019s been a tough past two weeks for me in the Cup Series, and it feels good to come back down here into the O\u2019Reilly Series and prove that I can still do it.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s tough. You finish in the back every week and you forget who you are. This feels good. We played strategy. Rodney made a great call to keep us out. The tires weren\u2019t wearing much all night, and we were able to get our (No. 1) Roto-Rooter Chevrolet in the track position that I needed to go out and win the race.\u201d<\/p>\n

Zilisch picked up his first win of the season, his first at Bristol and the 12th of his career. He was one of four JRM drivers in the top five, a group that included Larson, Justin  Allgaier (fourth) and Carson Kvapil (fifth). Joe Gibbs Racing driver Brent Crews crashed that party with a third-place finish on the same strategy that propelled Zilisch to the victory.<\/p>\n

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BRISTOL, TENNESSEE – APRIL 11: Connor Zilisch, driver of the #1 Roto-Rooter Chevrolet, celebrates after winning the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Suburban Propane 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway on April 11, 2026 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

For the eighth time in his career, Allgaier collected a $100,000 bonus in the O\u2019Reilly Auto Parts Dash 4 Cash program as the highest finisher among four eligible drivers (the top four in last Saturday\u2019s race at Rockingham Speedway).<\/p>\n

A three-time winner this year, Allgaier retained his series lead by 130 points over second-place Sheldon Creed, who ran sixth at Bristol.<\/p>\n

Larson was leading with Allgaier in pursuit early in the final stage, when the engine in Mason Maggio\u2019s Chevrolet exploded on the backstretch, filling the Last Great Coliseum with smoke.<\/p>\n

Maggio steered the car to pit road where it erupted in flames. Several of Allgaier\u2019s crew members helped pull Maggio from the car. The driver was uninjured.<\/p>\n

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BRISTOL, TENNESSEE – APRIL 11: William Sawalich, driver of the #18 SoundGear Toyota, leads the field to start the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Suburban Propane 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway on April 11, 2026 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Chris Graythen\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

But the fireworks were just starting. After the resumption from a three-minute five-second red flag period, Larson dominated\u2014until Gray Gaulding\u2019s spin in Turn 1 caused the seventh caution of the evening on Lap 270.<\/p>\n

Zilisch, Crews and Corey Day stayed out on older tires, with Larson fourth on new rubber. Larson, Zilisch and Crews battled for position until the eighth caution for Anthony Alfredo\u2019s spin on the frontstretch slowed the race for the final time.<\/p>\n

An intense battle for the lead followed the subsequent restart with 11 laps left. Larson passed Crews for second and harried Zilisch until his No. 88 Chevy slipped in Turn 4 with just over two laps left, giving Zilisch the margin he needed to win by 0.703 seconds.<\/p>\n

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BRISTOL, TENNESSEE – APRIL 11: William Sawalich, driver of the #18 SoundGear Toyota, leads the field to the green flag to start the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Suburban Propane 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway on April 11, 2026 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

The victory was Childers\u2019 first in the O\u2019Reilly Series, after a long and successful run as a Cup crew chief, predominantly with Kevin Harvick.<\/p>\n

Larson enjoyed the battle, if not the outcome.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a bummer, but I had a lot of fun tonight,\u201d said Larson, who will race in Sunday\u2019s Food City 500 NASCAR Cup Series event. \u201cOur car was really good. Just tough being the leader in that situation of knowing to pit or not\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I\u2019m happy with the run. It just doesn\u2019t always work out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pole winner William Sawalich was seventh, followed by Day, Parker Retzlaff and Taylor Gray. Day recorded his eighth straight top-10 finish.<\/p>\n

Interview: Race Winner Connor Zilisch (No. 1 JR Motorsports Chevrolet) and Race Winning Crew Chief Rodney Childers –<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

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NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Race – Suburban Propane 300<\/b><\/p>\n

Bristol Motor Speedway<\/b><\/p>\n

Bristol, Tennessee<\/b><\/p>\n

Saturday, April 11, 2026<\/b><\/p>\n

                  1. (15)  Connor Zilisch(i), Chevrolet, 300.<\/p>\n

                  2. (3)  Kyle Larson(i), Chevrolet, 300.<\/p>\n

                  3. (17)  Brent Crews #, Toyota, 300.<\/p>\n

                  4. (7)  Justin Allgaier, Chevrolet, 300.<\/p>\n

                  5. (8)  Carson Kvapil, Chevrolet, 300.<\/p>\n

                  6. (2)  Sheldon Creed, Chevrolet, 300.<\/p>\n

                  7. (1)  William Sawalich, Toyota, 300.<\/p>\n

                  8. (14)  Corey Day, Chevrolet, 300.<\/p>\n

                  9. (9)  Parker Retzlaff, Chevrolet, 300.<\/p>\n

                  10. (6)  Taylor Gray, Toyota, 300.<\/p>\n

                  11. (11)  Ryan Sieg, Chevrolet, 300.<\/p>\n

                  12. (12)  Jesse Love, Chevrolet, 300.<\/p>\n

                  13. (16)  Sammy Smith, Chevrolet, 300.<\/p>\n

                  14. (38)  Rajah Caruth, Chevrolet, 300.<\/p>\n

                  15. (19)  Jeremy Clements, Chevrolet, 300.<\/p>\n

                  16. (13)  Jeb Burton, Chevrolet, 300.<\/p>\n

                  17. (22)  Harrison Burton, Toyota, 300.<\/p>\n

                  18. (10)  Brennan Poole, Chevrolet, 300.<\/p>\n

                  19. (4)  Brandon Jones, Toyota, 300.<\/p>\n

                  20. (5)  Sam Mayer, Chevrolet, 300.<\/p>\n

                  21. (23)  Austin Hill, Chevrolet, 300.<\/p>\n

                  22. (30)  Blaine Perkins, Chevrolet, 299.<\/p>\n

                  23. (27)  Josh Bilicki, Chevrolet, 299.<\/p>\n

                  24. (21)  Dean Thompson, Toyota, 298.<\/p>\n

                  25. (20)  Kyle Sieg, Chevrolet, 298.<\/p>\n

                  26. (34)  JJ Yeley, Ford, 298.<\/p>\n

                  27. (32)  Patrick Staropoli #, Chevrolet, 298.<\/p>\n

                  28. (28)  Gray Gaulding, Chevrolet, 298.<\/p>\n

                  29. (29)  Josh Williams, Chevrolet, 297.<\/p>\n

                  30. (33)  Ryan Ellis, Chevrolet, 297.<\/p>\n

                  31. (36)  Joey Gase, Chevrolet, 297.<\/p>\n

                  32. (26)  Lavar Scott #, Chevrolet, 295.<\/p>\n

                  33. (24)  Logan Bearden, Chevrolet, 295.<\/p>\n

                  34. (37)  Blake Lothian, Toyota, 295.<\/p>\n

                  35. (25)  Austin Green, Chevrolet, 290.<\/p>\n

                  36. (18)  Anthony Alfredo, Chevrolet, 287.<\/p>\n

                  37. (31)  Mason Maggio, Chevrolet, Engine, 191.<\/p>\n

                  38. (35)  Garrett Smithley, Chevrolet, Suspension, 176.<\/p>\n

Average Speed of Race Winner:  77.884 mph.<\/p>\n

Time of Race:  2 Hrs, 3 Mins, 11 Secs. Margin of Victory:  0.703 Seconds.<\/p>\n

Caution Flags:  8 for 59 laps.<\/p>\n

Lead Changes:  13 among 7 drivers.<\/p>\n

Lap Leaders:   W. Sawalich 1-27;K. Larson(i) 28-64;B. Jones 65;R. Sieg 66-69;J. Clements 70;R. Sieg 71-79;K. Larson(i) 80-175;B. Jones 176;K. Larson(i) 177-272;C. Zilisch(i) 273-288;K. Larson(i) 289;C. Zilisch(i) 290;B. Crews # 291-293;C. Zilisch(i) 294-300.<\/p>\n

Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led):  Kyle Larson(i) 4 times for 230 laps; William Sawalich 1 time for 27 laps; Connor Zilisch(i) 3 times for 24 laps; Ryan Sieg 2 times for 13 laps; Brent Crews # 1 time for 3 laps; Brandon Jones 2 times for 2 laps; Jeremy Clements 1 time for 1 lap.<\/p>\n

Stage #1 Top Ten: 88,00,39,7,20,18,1,2,41,17<\/p>\n

Stage #2 Top Ten: 88,00,7,1,19,18,20,41,17,9<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  By Reid Spencer, NASCAR Wire Service BRISTOL, Tenn.\u2014Connor Zilisch rediscovered his identity on Saturday night\u2014as a winner. Thanks to a bold call from crew chief Rodney Childers, Zilisch stayed out on older tires with 28 laps left in the Suburban Propane 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway and took the checkered flag. With track position […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":676,"featured_media":57240,"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":[177,905,16,1147],"class_list":["post-57270","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nascar","tag-bristol-motor-speedway","tag-connor-zilisch","tag-nascar","tag-nascar-oreilly-auto-parts-series"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2270928367-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1706&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7hzTZ-eTI","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57270","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=57270"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57270\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":57274,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57270\/revisions\/57274"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/57240"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=57270"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=57270"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=57270"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}