If any extra proof was wanted to show that Connor Zilisch is likely one of the finest prospects in NASCAR historical past, look no additional than Saturday’s Xfinity Sequence race at Watkins Glen.
The 18-year-old dominated Saturday’s occasion, and after topping the apply charts and profitable the pole earlier within the day, he closed the deal by profitable the Mission 200 on the Glen in NASCAR time beyond regulation.
The victory is available in Zilisch’s Xfinity Sequence debut and completes a weekend sweep for the Charlotte, N.C., native, who additionally gained Friday’s ARCA Menards Sequence race.
“I do not even have phrases,” Zilisch mentioned, in line with NBC Sports. “I labored so laborious for this one. I have been working for this one for months. It is so particular to me, man. I do not understand how I saved sufficient (gasoline). I did not suppose I used to be gonna make it again to the road. I am gonna take pleasure in this one for some time.”
After a penalty for chopping the course below warning, Zilisch and the No. 88 group performed the proper technique to maintain Zilisch accountable for the race. Even when compelled to save lots of gas and maintain off a snarling pack, Zilisch remained calm below strain, steering his Camaro into victory lane.
Zilisch endured a number of time beyond regulation restarts and a prolonged pink flag that noticed the race take over three hours to finish.
Not like his Truck Sequence debut at COTA — when Zilisch gained the pole, however missed the primary nook and needed to battle again to a fourth-place end — Zilisch was largely mistake-free, other than the curious course-cutting penalty that was additionally incurred by Ty Gibbs.
Sheldon Creed completed second with AJ Allmendinger, Parker Kligerman and Chandler Smith rounding out the highest 5. Shane van Gisbergen, Ross Chastain, Jesse Love, Joey Logano and Josh Bilicki accomplished the highest 10.
Different notable finishers in Saturday’s race included William Byron in eleventh, Justin Allgaier in fifteenth, Sam Mayer in twentieth, Cole Custer in twenty first and Gibbs in twenty fifth.
The subsequent Xfinity Sequence race might be on Friday, Sept. 20. The Xfinity Sequence subject will tackle Bristol Motor Speedway in its regular-season finale at 7 p.m. ET, with protection on the CW, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
