At just 19 years old, Connor Zilisch has made a spectacular impact in the NASCAR Xfinity Series this season, rapidly establishing himself as a top contender. Now 21 races into the year, Zilisch has already secured five victories and sits second in the points standings, trailing only reigning champion Justin Allgaier by 21 points. His consistent performances have turned heads and proven that the rookie must be taken seriously in the hunt for this year’s title.
Throughout his debut season, Zilisch has showcased remarkable consistency, finishing in the top five in every one of the last nine races. Within that span, he claimed four wins and finished second on three occasions, demonstrating both skill and determination beyond his years.
Breaking Records at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Zilisch’s most notable achievement came during the recent race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where he not only took the checkered flag but also became the youngest driver in NASCAR history to win six Xfinity Series races in a single season. This victory was also a milestone for JR Motorsports, marking the team’s 100th win in the series. Dale Earnhardt Jr., co-owner of JR Motorsports, celebrated enthusiastically by greeting Zilisch with a congratulatory embrace on the track.
The teenager’s excitement was clear immediately after the race, as he exclaimed,
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, Driver
Having turned 19 on July 22, Zilisch’s age at the time of his Indy victory was 19 years and 4 days, narrowly surpassing Joey Logano’s longstanding record. Logano, the defending Cup Series champion and current driver for Team Penske, had previously been the youngest six-time winner at 19 years, 4 months, and 16 days. Logano, now 35 years old, held this mark for over 15 years.
Youngest Drivers to Achieve Six Xfinity Series Wins
The list of youngest six-time winners in the NASCAR Xfinity Series highlights Zilisch’s rapid ascent and company among elite past drivers:
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
Zilisch Targets Further Records and Strong Season Finish
Not content with just breaking one prominent record, Zilisch is currently on a winning streak, having secured three consecutive victories. He now trails only Sam Ard and Noah Gragson, who share the record for the most consecutive wins in the Xfinity Series with four. As the season still has over ten races remaining, the young driver has a strong chance to tie or even surpass this achievement.
Moreover, with his current pace, Zilisch could surpass Christopher Bell’s rookie record, who holds the most wins by a rookie in a single Xfinity season with seven victories in 2018. Should Zilisch earn at least three more victories, he would set a new benchmark for rookie success in NASCAR history.
Given Zilisch’s combination of youthful talent and relentless determination, his trajectory points towards an exciting future in the sport and a potentially historic rookie season that could echo for years to come.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Did Joey Logano have cerebral palsy?
A. Due to difficulties during birth, Joey experienced bleeding in the brain, which caused Cerebral Palsy. This condition requires him to attend extensive physical therapy sessions.
Q. What medical condition does Joey Logano have?
A. When his hair didn’t return, Logano visited the doctor and was told he had alopecia areata. This autoimmune condition mostly impacts people under 30.
Q. Does Joey Logano have cerebral palsy?
A. Joey had a brain bleed when he was born, which led to a diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy. As a result, he requires a lot of physical therapy.
