“As we’ve all seen, he’s going to be the next superstar”. This is what AJ Allmendinger had to say about Connor Zilisch after the 18-year-old showcased his prowess last season. Zilisch had claimed victory in his debut race in the Xfinity Series at Watkins Glen in 2024. However, Daytona International Speedway had a different tale for the rookie.

The main culprit? Sheldon Creed. His maneuver ensured that Zilisch didn’t get to reap any benefits on the track despite a promising start. Naturally, Zilisch called him out in the post-race interview and didn’t mince his words.

Creed called out for his indecisive approach

The 2025 United Rentals 250 at Daytona International Speedway delivered high-speed action, nail-biting moments, and heartbreak for some of NASCAR’s rising stars. One of the most anticipated young talents, Connor Zilisch, was on track for a strong finish. However, just before he could solidify his stance, a massive disaster struck with just two laps to go. A tightly packed field fought for position, setting the stage for an intense sprint to the finish.

Veteran driver Justin Allgaier, piloting the No. 7 Chevy, was working alongside Zilisch, offering support from behind as the two JR Motorsports teammates aimed for a strong result. But things quickly spiraled out of control when Sheldon Creed, racing for the Haas Factory Team, suddenly slowed down. Speaking of the major clash, Zilisch said, “You know, I want someone else to tell me before I look like a clown and blame it on someone. Unfortunate, we had really fast WeatherTech Chevrolet, we were running good, but frustrated it ended like that.”

Caught off guard by Creed’s loss of momentum, Connor Zilisch had nowhere to go. He slammed into the rear of Creed’s car. This ended up sending his No. 88 machine careening into the outside wall. When asked if he felt Sheldon Creed made an error while attempting to block him, Zilisch was blunt. “Yeah, I mean if you are gonna block, pick a lane. And he was trying to block both lanes. You know I get it. 2 to go. But it’s just tough to manage that one. You know I am on his left rear trying to get a run. I am getting a push behind and he is half-blocking… Kinda wished he’d picked in front of me or picked the top,” Zilisch said.

The impact was severe, but the danger didn’t end there. As his damaged car rebounded off the wall, it was struck multiple times by incoming traffic. This left the young driver with no chance to recover. Luckily for everyone, Zilisch escaped without any major injuries. “Yeah, it was a hard it. I’m glad I didn’t feel it at all. Thank you to the entire Junior Motorsports team for building safe race cars. Glad I’m okay.” However, in a cruel twist of fate, Zilisch, who had been running inside the top five just moments earlier, ended with a heartbreaking P27. 

The wreck also spelled trouble for other Xfinity Series rookies. This included William Sawalich and Christian Eckes. Both of them were in a position for a strong result before the incident unfolded. The race was forced into overtime, but for JR Motorsports, the damage had already been done. Despite the disappointing ending, Connor Zilisch left a lasting impression.

Known for his road-course expertise, he proved at Daytona that he can hold his own on superspeedways as well. His daring moves and fearless racing style signaled that he is a future star in the making. Watching him battle alongside fellow rising talent, Jesse Love was a glimpse into the next generation of NASCAR contenders.

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Haas Factory team shines in debut run

The Xfinity Series saw the Haas Factory team mark its presence on the track for the very first time, in its renewed structure. Both drivers, Sheldon Creed and Sam Mayer put on a stellar performance and they secured a second and third-place finish. Sheldon Creed, in particular, had a standout race. He started from the sixth position and made his presence felt early on. Creed was also seen leading the field three times for a total of seven laps. His ability to maintain a strong pace throughout the race paid off, as he finished second in Stage 1 and third in Stage 2, racking up 17 crucial stage points.

While towards the end of the drive, Creed got entangled with Zilisch, he regained his momentum back on the tracks. His consistency and strategic driving allowed him to leave Daytona as the Xfinity Series points leader with 51 points. Speaking of the drive, Creed said, “Just happy with another good start to a season and ready to get through Atlanta and get to real racetracks.”

Sam Mayer also impressed, securing his sixth career runner-up finish in the Xfinity Series. Mayer started eighth and, while he didn’t collect any stage points, showed resilience and skill in navigating the intense battles in the pack. He added, “Huge props to this team. This Audibel Ford Mustang was really, really fast today. I am super proud to be up at the front with these guys, especially with a new team like this.” With a commanding debut performance, the Haas Factory Team has set the stage for an electrifying season.