Connor Zilisch and crew chief Dale Earnhardt Jr. win Pocono NASCAR Xfinity race

18-year-old Connor Zilisch earned his first oval win Saturday at Pocono Raceway, and he did it with assist from ‘rookie’ crew chief and JR Motorsports co-owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. atop the field. Zilisch made the move for the win on Jesse Love with only a few laps to go earlier than hanging on to seize the checkered flag.

“I have been dying for this one for some time now,” stated Zilisch. “I do know it hasn’t felt like that lengthy however man, I have been so shut on the ovals recently. I completed second at Charlotte, second at Nashville and yeah, Dale Jr.’s not so unhealthy on the field. Fairly cool to have him up there. Thanks a lot to your entire JR Motorsports staff. 

About working with Dale Jr., Zilisch added: “It is fairly humorous, he [Earnhardt] was kicking me within the ass on a few of these restarts, giving me some recommendation. The recommendation from him is recommendation properly taken from me so it is actually cool to have him and get him 1-1 with a win as a crew chief. That is fairly superior as properly. However yeah, Marty did every little thing proper to set this automotive up as properly and I want he might have been on the field as we speak.”

As for the successful crew chief, Earnhardt stated of the expertise:  “(Common crew chief Mardy Lindley) did a terrific job placing us ready to succeed and we had loads of issues go our approach, loads of good luck and nice technique. Had just a little assist from [Steve] Letarte up right here … he was a giant assist. However all people on this staff, simply superb all weekend lengthy. And one nice race automotive driver in Connor Zilisch. He’ll be a giant deal on this sport for a very long time. Numerous enjoyable for me as we speak.”

Earnhardt continued: “I miss the fun of competitors. I like broadcasting, do not get me unsuitable, however nothing compares to driving or simply being a part of the staff. Being an proprietor would not actually ship like this. It was loads of enjoyable.”

Christian Eckes ended up with a career-best end of third, pole-sitter Chase Elliott in fourth, and Ryan Sieg fifth. Carson Kvapil, Sam Mayer, Sammy Smith, Taylor Grey, and Justin Allgaier stuffed out the rest of the highest ten.

The run to the end

The NASCAR Xfinity race at Pocono featured a document ten cautions with varied incidents all through the 100-lap occasion. The ultimate stage of the race began the best way issues ended up ending with Zilisch main Love, however rather a lot occurred in these remaining 45 laps.

As drivers labored to hit their gasoline quantity, Zilisch stayed out till Elliott was about to run him down, diving to the pits. Earnhardt, who was already working because the crew chief, got here down off the pit field to assist as a tire catcher. 

However earlier than Elliott might reply, there was a warning for a single-car spin. That pushed Zilisch again to the lead and put Elliott on the second row for a restart with 25 laps to go. Elliott managed to get again to the race lead in time for the following restart, which got here with 15 laps to go. However one more incident compelled the leaders to do it yet again.

Whereas Elliott was sturdy on each restart, this one wouldn’t go his approach. With 13 laps to go, he lined up alongside Allgaier. The reigning NASCAR Xfinity Sequence champion obtained sideways as the sector entered Flip 1. He hit Elliott’s door and whereas each drivers managed to keep away from an incident, additionally they misplaced a number of spots because the vehicles slid up the monitor.

This cleared the best way for Love, who now led the race with simply six laps to go. Zilisch gave him a pleasant push to get away from Eckes on what could be the ultimate restart earlier than taking the lead for himself quickly after.

Whereas that is Zilisch’s first win on an oval, it’s his third profession win as a NASCAR Xfinity Sequence driver. And in line with reporter Seth Eggert, Dale Jr. is simply the ninth individual in historical past have received in NASCAR as a driver, proprietor, and crew chief.