Indianapolis, Indiana – Connor Zilisch’s rise through the racing ranks reached a defining moment on July 26, when the 19-year-old delivered a breakthrough performance at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, capturing the Pennzoil 250 in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. On a track known for rewarding experience and patience, Zilisch showed both, sealing his first victory at the Racing Capital of the World and adding another milestone to an already rapidly growing career.
While the win marked his first trip to Victory Lane at Indianapolis, Zilisch was no stranger to success on the famed 2.5-mile oval. Years before his Xfinity triumph, he stood on the IMS podium as a teenager competing in vastly different machinery. In 2021, he finished third in the massive 90-car Spec Miata field during the SCCA Runoffs. He returned again in 2024, earning a third-place result in LMP2 with Era Motorsport at the IMSA TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks. Each appearance hinted at unfinished business.
That business was settled in dramatic fashion during Saturday’s 100-lap Xfinity race. Driving the No. 88 WeatherTech Chevrolet co-owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr., Zilisch mounted a relentless late-race charge that defined both his race craft and his confidence. With two laps remaining, he surged past fellow rookie Taylor Gray and then survived a tense final sprint to the checkered flag, edging pole sitter Sam Mayer by just .339 of a second.
The victory carried extra weight. It was Zilisch’s third consecutive win and his fifth of the season at that point, remarkable numbers for a rookie who had turned 19 just four days before race weekend. The moment also marked the 100th Xfinity Series win in JR Motorsports history, giving the celebration historical significance for one of the sport’s most successful teams.
“This is awesome,” Zilisch said. “Those bricks look really kissable, and I’m ready to kiss them. Winning at Indy is awesome, and getting 100 wins for JRM is pretty cool, too. I consider this a pretty awesome day.”
Behind Zilisch, Gray finished third in the No. 54 Operation 300 Toyota. NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson crossed the line fourth in the No. 17 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, while Ryan Sieg rounded out the top five in the No. 39 Sci Aps Ford.
The closing laps unfolded with all the unpredictability Indianapolis is known for. Rain interrupted the race twice, including a caution from Laps 92 through 96 following a crash involving Austin Hill and Aric Almirola. When the field lined up for a restart on Lap 97, Zilisch briefly lost control of the race. Gray powered past him entering Turn 1 with a strong push, forcing Zilisch into a defensive posture.
Zilisch responded immediately. He dove low in Turn 2 and pulled alongside Gray on the backstretch, but Gray held firm. The battle intensified as the laps ticked away, setting up a decisive final sequence. On Lap 99, Zilisch repeated the move exiting Turn 2, but this time Sam Mayer latched onto the rear bumper of the No. 88. The aerodynamic push was just enough. Zilisch cleared Gray entering Turn 3, and Mayer followed through, reshuffling the order at the front.
From there, Zilisch showed composure beyond his years. He managed the final lap-and-a-half cleanly, protecting his line and maintaining momentum as Mayer searched unsuccessfully for a way past. In total, Zilisch led 19 laps, an impressive feat considering an early slow pit stop that dropped him deep in the field and forced him to fight forward.
For much of the afternoon, it appeared the race would belong to Justin Allgaier or Kyle Larson. Allgaier led a race-high 37 laps and was chasing his second Pennzoil 250 victory, while Larson’s pace made him a constant threat. That storyline unraveled on the Lap 87 restart when Larson pushed high into Turn 2 and made contact with Allgaier. The No. 7 Hellmann’s Spicy Mayo Chevrolet slammed into the SAFER Barrier, ending Allgaier’s day and disrupting Larson’s rhythm.
The incident opened the door for Zilisch and Gray to seize control, and the rookie duo did not hesitate. With the pressure on and the margin razor-thin, Zilisch delivered when it mattered most.
The Pennzoil 250 victory was more than a race win. It was a statement that Connor Zilisch’s potential is no longer theoretical. At just 19, he has proven he can win on one of motorsports’ most demanding stages, under changing conditions, against experienced competition. For JR Motorsports, it was a landmark achievement. For Zilisch, it may be just the beginning of a long and successful journey through NASCAR’s ranks.
