Kyle Busch remains one of NASCAR’s most successful drivers, boasting 63 Cup Serieswins and two Cup Series championships despite not securing a victory in 2023. Before focusing solely on the Cup Series, Busch held a dominant presence in the Xfinity Series, where he set records that many believed would stand the test of time. However, Connor Zilisch’s remarkable performance this season with JR Motorsports now puts Busch’s record within reach, sparking a new chapter in the series’ history.
Zilisch’s impressive streak includes nine credited wins this season, highlighted by four consecutive triumphs and eight victories out of his last ten races. It’s important to note that at Daytona, although Zilisch started the race, he ceded driving duties to Parker Kligerman due to his surgically repaired collarbone, yet the record officially credits Zilisch with the win. Busch’s record of thirteen Xfinity victories in a single season from 2010 stands as the target, and with eight races remaining, Zilisch’s challenge to surpass it is increasingly likely.
Breaking Down Zilisch’s Momentum on the Track
While the young driver’s rapid rise has garnered attention, Zilisch himself remains focused on racing rather than chasing records. Reflecting on his approach, he stated,
“Yeah, I’m not chasing records, but I show up to the track every week and want to win,”
highlighting his passion for competition over statistics. He further emphasized,
Image of: Kyle Busch
“So yeah, I hope I get to 13 but it’s not like my season’s going to be a disaster if I don’t get there. I don’t really look at those things.”
Despite his modest focus on records, the accolades have come swiftly. Zilisch has already tied a notable streak in the Xfinity Series by winning four consecutive races in the iconic JR Motorsports No. 88 car, matching records set by Sam Ard in 1983 and Noah Gragson in 2022. This surpasses Busch’s previous peak of three consecutive Xfinity wins, first achieved in 2013 and later repeated in 2016.
Reflecting on his impressive run, Zilisch expressed pride in his team’s accomplishments:
“Four in a row, seven of the last eight, that’s awesome,”
he said, acknowledging the strength behind his effort that also earned him the regular-season championship.
“We’re going to celebrate this, and the Regular Season Championship.”
Despite the strong momentum, Zilisch is realistic about the challenge ahead, stating,
“Man, this is going to be tough to keep up honestly. It’s rare that you can go on a run like this.”
He attributes much of his success to teamwork and execution, sharing,
“Every week I show up thinking, ‘Man, this is going to be the weekend that we just run eighth,’ and just aren’t great, but every weekend we show up and we’re a winning race car, and my pit crew executes, my team executes, everybody does their job, and we end up doing burnouts on the frontstretch.”
Closing on his seasons’ highlights, Zilisch humbly said,
“Yeah, it’s awesome to be able to do this and win this many races.”
Looking Ahead to the Playoffs and Beyond
Connor Zilisch approaches the upcoming playoff opener at Bristol Motor Speedway carrying 59 playoff points, giving him a strong position heading into the postseason. His performance not only challenges Kyle Busch’s longstanding Xfinity record but also signals the emergence of a new talent capable of sustaining high-level competition.
Zilisch’s ability to maintain consistency, combined with strategic team execution, will be critical as he continues to compete for wins. As the season progresses, observers will watch closely to see if he can rewrite the record books, marking a significant moment in NASCAR’s Xfinity Series history and adding a fresh storyline to the sport’s evolving legacy.
