Connor Zilisch is quickly establishing himself as the next big talent in the NASCAR world, showcasing an impressive streak of performances in recent races. Following a standout debut in the Xfinity series at Watkins Glen, where he demonstrated his remarkable driving skills, Zilisch continued to shine at Bristol Motor Speedway on September 19. The 18-year-old prodigy not only made his mark but also secured pole positions in both of his races at this legendary track.
Zilisch has been on fire, recently dominating both the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and the ARCA series. He earned pole positions in the Xfinity and ARCA events at Watkins Glen and carried that momentum into Bristol, driving the Spire Motorsports #7 Chevy. During qualifying, he completed the lap in an astonishing 15.325 seconds, achieving a top speed of 125.207 mph, which placed him 0.126 seconds ahead of the second-place contender.
But Zilisch’s success didn’t stop there. He added another feather to his cap by securing his fourth pole position at the Bush’s Beans 200 in the ARCA Menards Series on the same day, clocking a best time of 15.503 seconds with a top speed of 123.77 mph. Notably, he outpaced fellow competitor William Sawalich by 0.043 seconds, marking the second time he had bested the Toyota driver.
Earlier in the season, Zilisch had also made headlines at Watkins Glen, where he achieved pole position with a blistering time of 01:13.8 seconds and a top speed of 119.548 mph, leaving Sawalich trailing by 0.68 seconds. The Trackhouse Racing team, recognizing Zilisch’s potential, proudly shared photos of his victories on their X account, highlighting the fact that this was his first appearance at Bristol, where he excelled in both series.
However, the day took a dramatic turn during the ARCA Menards Series Championship race at Bristol. After starting from pole position, Zilisch faced an unfortunate incident when Logan Misucara spun and re-entered the track, resulting in a collision that damaged the right rear of his car. This crash abruptly ended his race after just 64 laps out of the scheduled 205.
In a post-race interview, Zilisch expressed his disappointment about the unexpected end to his race and the impact it had on his championship aspirations. “It’s really frustrating to conclude a season like this and lose a championship in such a way. But despite everything, we’ve had a fantastic year with the Pinnacle Racing Group and everyone at Silver Hare Racing. There’s nothing to be ashamed of; it’s just a tough way to go out,” he shared.
Ultimately, Zilisch finished the race in 26th place, while William Sawalich took home the victory. This incident has significant implications for Zilisch’s championship standings, as he now trails behind Sawalich, who has taken the lead. Looking ahead, Zilisch knows he must deliver an exceptional performance at the upcoming Reese’s 150 on September 27 at Kansas Speedway to stay in the championship hunt.
