{"id":58039,"date":"2026-05-09T19:00:24","date_gmt":"2026-05-10T00:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/?p=58039"},"modified":"2026-05-10T15:30:57","modified_gmt":"2026-05-10T20:30:57","slug":"connor-zilisch-tracks-down-best-friend-for-nascar-oreilly-win-at-the-glen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/09\/connor-zilisch-tracks-down-best-friend-for-nascar-oreilly-win-at-the-glen\/","title":{"rendered":"Connor Zilisch tracks down best friend for NASCAR O\u2019Reilly win at The Glen"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"

WATKINS GLEN, NEW YORK – MAY 09: Connor Zilisch, driver of the #1 Jockey 150 Years Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Mission 200 at The Glen at Watkins Glen International on May 09, 2026 in Watkins Glen, New York. (Photo by Chris Graythen\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

WATKINS GLEN,N.Y.\u2014With a last-corner pass in a wounded car, Connor Zilisch preserved his perfect record at Watkins Glen International\u2014at the expense of his best friend.<\/p>\n

\"\"

WATKINS GLEN, NEW YORK – MAY 09: Connor Zilisch, driver of the #1 Jockey 150 Years Chevrolet, takes the checkered flag ahead of Jesse Love, driver of the #2 Whelen Chevrolet, to win the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Mission 200 at The Glen at Watkins Glen International on May 09, 2026 in Watkins Glen, New York. (Photo by Sean Gardner\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

Running down Jesse Love after pitting with 25 laps left, Zilisch shot past Love\u2019s No. 2 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet in Turn 7 and won a drag race to the finish line to win Saturday\u2019s Mission 200 at the Glen by 0.262 seconds.<\/p>\n

The victory was Zilisch\u2019s third straight at the 2.45-mile road course in as many starts, his second in his fifth NASCAR O\u2019Reilly Auto Parts Series start of the season and the 13th of his career.<\/p>\n

Zilisch, Terry Labonte and Marcos Ambrose are the only drivers with three consecutive O\u2019Reilly Series victories at Watkins Glen.<\/p>\n

For the 70th straight race, JR Motorsports put at least one car in the top 10, nine short of RFK Racing\u2019s record (2008-2010). JRM also collected its 11th straight road course victory.<\/p>\n

\"\"

WATKINS GLEN, NEW YORK – MAY 09: Connor Zilisch, driver of the #1 Jockey 150 Years Chevrolet, takes the checkered flag ahead of Jesse Love, driver of the #2 Whelen Chevrolet, to win the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Mission 200 at The Glen at Watkins Glen International on May 09, 2026 in Watkins Glen, New York. (Photo by Sean Gardner\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

The victory was the product of Zilisch\u2019s relentless pursuit of Love, who pitted on Lap 48 of 72 and saved fuel the rest of the way, with Zilisch\u2014from 18 seconds back\u2014chopping full seconds per lap off Love\u2019s lead over the final 25 circuits.<\/p>\n

With six laps left, however, Zilisch hit the grass as he sped through the Bus stop chicane and damaged the undercarriage of his car. Adjusting to the altered feel of his No. 1 JR Motorsports Chevrolet, Zilisch continued his pursuit and closed on his friend.<\/p>\n

On the final lap, Zilisch made up significant ground through the Bus Stop and took advantage when Love ran wide through the final corner.<\/p>\n

\"\"

WATKINS GLEN, NEW YORK – MAY 09: Connor Zilisch, driver of the #1 Jockey 150 Years Chevrolet, celebrates with a burnout after winning the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Mission 200 at The Glen at Watkins Glen International on May 09, 2026 in Watkins Glen, New York. (Photo by Sean Gardner\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cThat was driving as hard as I could for all 30 of those laps (from a restart on lap 51), just trying to make up that gap,\u201d Zilisch said. \u201cI wasn\u2019t going to move Jesse in the last corner there, but he got in deep, and I was able to get by\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s so cool to come back and get my third win at Watkins Glen in a row with JRM. Cool to get it with Rodney (Childers). He\u2019s my third different crew chief here.\u201d<\/p>\n

This was the second significant battle between Zilisch and Love in the last six months. At Phoenix Raceway in November, Love outdueled the heavily favored Zilisch to win the series championship.<\/p>\n

On Saturday, it was Love who was disconsolate.<\/p>\n

\"\"

WATKINS GLEN, NEW YORK – MAY 09: Connor Zilisch, driver of the #1 Jockey 150 Years Chevrolet, celebrates with a burnout after winning the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Mission 200 at The Glen at Watkins Glen International on May 09, 2026 in Watkins Glen, New York. (Photo by Sean Gardner\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cAt the end of the day, the glaring piece of it is I had a bad corner,\u201d Love said. \u201cIt was definitely a challenging but good experience for me. I\u2019ve never saved fuel on a road course. What a good mental challenge for me.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll I want to do is beat Connor here (on a road course), right? We\u2019re best friends, and we\u2019ve caused each other a lot of pain. I didn\u2019t execute when I needed to. I think the reason I\u2019m so quiet is I\u2019m just embarrassed, right? As a driver, you just can\u2019t make those mistakes.\u201d<\/p>\n

As a measure of the friendship between the two drivers, the first person to Love\u2019s car after the race who Zilisch\u2019s mother, who gave Love a consoling hug.<\/p>\n

\"\"

WATKINS GLEN, NEW YORK – MAY 09: Connor Zilisch, driver of the #1 Jockey 150 Years Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Mission 200 at The Glen at Watkins Glen International on May 09, 2026 in Watkins Glen, New York. (Photo by Chris Graythen\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

Taylor Gray and Ross Chastain finished third and fourth, respectively, both on fuel-saving strategy. Brandon Jones was fifth, followed by rookie Brent Crews, Parker Retzlaff, Shane van Gisbergen, Austin Green and Justin Allgaier, whose series lead over second place Sheldon Creed (29th Saturday) grew to 155 points.<\/p>\n

van Gisbergen was in the mix for the win before contact between his car and Zilisch\u2019s on pit road tore the left front fender on Zilisch\u2019s No. 9 JRM Chevrolet. van Gisbergen had to pit again for repairs, his winning chances gone.<\/p>\n

Crews led a race-high 32 laps, followed by Zilisch with 20 and Love with 18.<\/p>\n

\"\"

WATKINS GLEN, NEW YORK – MAY 09: Justin Allgaier, driver of the #7 BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet, and Connor Zilisch, driver of the #88 Red Bull Chevrolet, lead the field to the green flag to start the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Mission 200 at The Glen at Watkins Glen International on May 09, 2026 in Watkins Glen, New York. (Photo by Sean Gardner\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

After the victory, Zilisch climbed from his care with utmost care, determined not to repeat the fall from the window ledge that cost him a broken collarbone last year.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt really means a lot to get another one here and get out of the car safely and get onto the ground without killing myself,\u201d Zilisch quipped.<\/p>\n

Zilisch and van Gisbergen will race as Trackhouse Racing teammates in Sunday\u2019s Go Bowling at The Glen, with the New Zealander on the pole for the NASCAR Cup Series event (3 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).<\/p>\n

Interview: NOAPS Race Winning Driver Connor Zilisch (No. 1 JR Motorsports Chevrolet) <\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Race – Mission 200 at The Glen<\/strong><\/p>\n

Watkins Glen International<\/strong><\/p>\n

Watkins Glen, New York<\/strong><\/p>\n

Saturday, May 9, 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    1. (17)  Connor Zilisch(i), Chevrolet, 82.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    2. (8)  Jesse Love, Chevrolet, 82.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    3. (25)  Taylor Gray, Toyota, 82.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    4. (29)  Ross Chastain(i), Chevrolet, 82.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    5. (7)  Brandon Jones, Toyota, 82.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    6. (4)  Brent Crews #, Toyota, 82.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    7. (6)  Parker Retzlaff, Chevrolet, 82.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    8. (12)  Shane Van Gisbergen(i), Chevrolet, 82.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    9. (35)  Austin Green, Chevrolet, 82.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    10. (2)  Justin Allgaier, Chevrolet, 82.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    11. (9)  Austin Hill, Chevrolet, 82.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    12. (1)  Rajah Caruth, Chevrolet, 82.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    13. (5)  Sam Mayer, Chevrolet, 82.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    14. (34)  Carson Kvapil, Chevrolet, 82.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    15. (27)  Corey Day, Chevrolet, 82.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    16. (10)  Sammy Smith, Chevrolet, 82.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    17. (22)  Harrison Burton, Toyota, 82.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    18. (18)  Brennan Poole, Chevrolet, 82.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    19. (30)  Alex Labbe, Chevrolet, 82.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    20. (36)  Will Rodgers, Chevrolet, 82.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    21. (38)  Preston Pardus, Chevrolet, 82.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    22. (26)  Josh Bilicki, Chevrolet, 82.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    23. (13)  Ryan Sieg, Chevrolet, 82.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    24. (15)  Anthony Alfredo, Chevrolet, 82.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    25. (23)  Jeb Burton, Chevrolet, 82.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    26. (24)  Blaine Perkins, Chevrolet, Out of Fuel, 81.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    27. (20)  Lavar Scott #, Chevrolet, Out of Fuel, 81.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    28. (21)  Alex Guenette, Chevrolet, 81.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    29. (3)  Sheldon Creed, Chevrolet, 81.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    30. (32)  Glen Reen, Toyota, 81.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    31. (33)  Kyle Sieg, Chevrolet, 81.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    32. (31)  Derek White, Chevrolet, 78.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    33. (11)  Jeremy Clements, Chevrolet, 74.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    34. (28)  Ryan Ellis, Chevrolet, Suspension, 72.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    35. (16)  Dean Thompson, Toyota, Transmission, 54.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    36. (14)  William Sawalich, Toyota, Engine, 15.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    37. (37)  Matt Wilson, Chevrolet, Accident, 5.<\/p>\n

\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002\u2002    38. (19)  Patrick Staropoli #, Chevrolet, Engine, 4.<\/p>\n

Average Speed of Race Winner:  92.64 mph.<\/p>\n

Time of Race:  2 Hrs, 10 Mins, 7 Secs. Margin of Victory:  .262 Seconds.<\/p>\n

Caution Flags:  5 for 13 laps.<\/p>\n

Lead Changes:  13 among 6 drivers.<\/p>\n

Lap Leaders:   S. Mayer 1-3;B. Crews # 4-22;C. Zilisch(i) 23-28;S. Gisbergen(i) 29;C. Zilisch(i) 30-35;S. Gisbergen(i) 36;C. Zilisch(i) 37-42;B. Crews # 43-55;C. Zilisch(i) 56;S. Gisbergen(i) 57-61;R. Caruth 62-63;J. Love 64-81;C. Zilisch(i) 82.<\/p>\n

Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led):  Brent Crews # 2 times for 32 laps; Connor Zilisch(i) 5 times for 20 laps; Jesse Love 1 time for 18 laps; Shane Van Gisbergen(i) 3 times for 7 laps; Sam Mayer 1 time for 3 laps; Rajah Caruth 1 time for 2 laps.<\/p>\n

Stage #1 Top Ten: 19,41,7,2,20,21,88,99,32,39<\/p>\n

Stage #2 Top Ten: 1,19,9,7,2,54,21,41,8,20<\/p>\n

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

  By Reid Spencer, NASCAR Wire Service WATKINS GLEN,N.Y.\u2014With a last-corner pass in a wounded car, Connor Zilisch preserved his perfect record at Watkins Glen International\u2014at the expense of his best friend. Running down Jesse Love after pitting with 25 laps left, Zilisch shot past Love\u2019s No. 2 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet in Turn 7 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":676,"featured_media":58000,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"_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},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[11],"tags":[905,16,1147,472],"class_list":["post-58039","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nascar","tag-connor-zilisch","tag-nascar","tag-nascar-oreilly-auto-parts-series","tag-watkins-glen-international"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2275363910-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1707&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7hzTZ-f67","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58039","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=58039"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58039\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":58042,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58039\/revisions\/58042"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/58000"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=58039"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=58039"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=58039"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}