Connor Zilisch has made a remarkable impact in the NASCAR Xfinity Series this season. As a rookie, he has already secured five victories in just 21 races, showcasing a level of skill and consistency that rivals seasoned competitors. Currently positioned second in the points standings, Zilisch trails the defending champion Justin Allgaier by only 21 points, highlighting his strong contention for the championship.
His stellar performance includes finishing in the top five in each of the last nine races, with four wins and three runner-up finishes during this stretch. This impressive streak underscores Zilisch’s potential as an emerging talent in the sport despite being in his debut season.
Historic Victory at Indianapolis Breaks a Longstanding Record
Zilisch’s recent triumph at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was particularly significant, as it marked not only a victory for the young driver but also the 100th win for JR Motorsports in the Xfinity Series. The moment was celebrated enthusiastically when team co-owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. joined Zilisch on the track to share in the milestone.
After the race, Zilisch expressed his excitement:
Dude, this is awesome. Those bricks look really kissable, and I’m ready to kiss them. This is awesome. 100 wins for JRM.
—Connor Zilisch
With this win, Zilisch became the youngest driver ever to achieve six wins in a single Xfinity Series season. At 19 years and four days old on the day of his victory, he surpassed the previous record holder, Joey Logano, who held the record when he was 19 years, four months, and 16 days old. Logano, now 35, had maintained that record for over 15 years.
A Closer Look at the Youngest Drivers to Reach Six Wins
The list of the youngest six-time winners in the Xfinity Series highlights how rare Zilisch’s accomplishment is:
Connor Zilisch: 19 years, 0 months, 4 days
Joey Logano: 19 years, 4 months, 16 days
Ty Gibbs: 19 years, 5 months, 15 days
Kyle Busch: 20 years, 0 months, 26 days
Erik Jones: 20 years, 3 months, 18 days
Sam Mayer: 20 years, 11 months, 20 days
Rob Moroso: 21 years, 0 months, 11 days
Cole Custer: 21 years, 5 months, 6 days
This comparison not only underscores Zilisch’s early dominance but also places him among some of the most successful young drivers in NASCAR history.
Zilisch Poised to Challenge More Records as Season Continues
Beyond breaking Joey Logano’s record, Zilisch is closing in on another notable milestone—the record for most consecutive Xfinity Series wins. His latest victory marked his third in a row, just one shy of tying the record held by Sam Ard and Noah Gragson with four straight wins. Should Zilisch win the next race, he would set a new standard for consecutive victories in the series.
With over ten races remaining in the season, Zilisch appears on track to surpass additional records. The rookie has the potential to match or exceed Christopher Bell’s record for most wins by a rookie in a single season, which stands at seven wins in 2018. Given his current pace, accumulating three or more additional victories seems within reach.
The racing community will watch closely as Zilisch’s breakthrough season progresses, curious to see how far his talent and determination will carry him.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Did Joey Logano have cerebral palsy?
A. Joey was born in a difficult delivery, which caused bleeding in his brain, leading to Cerebral Palsy. Now, he needs extensive physical therapy.
Q. What medical condition does Joey Logano have?
A. After his hair didn’t regrow, Logano visited the doctor and received a diagnosis. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition that often affects individuals under 30.
Q. Does Joey Logano have cerebral palsy?
A. Because there were problems during his birth, Joey suffered a brain bleed. This led to his diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy. Now, Joey requires a lot of physical therapy.
Q. What was Joey Logano’s illness?
A. Current NASCAR Cup Series champion Joey Logano revealed that norovirus took him to the medical center at Darlington Raceway after last week’s race. The Team Penske driver mentioned he felt unwell throughout the week before the 400-mile race, which happened in unusually warm 89-degree temperatures.