Talladega Superspeedway was a hotbed of raw power in the Xfinity Series on Saturday. 18-year-old wonderkid Connor Zilisch sped his No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet on the last lap, aiming for his second win of the season. Zilisch was in an intense battle against the Richard Childress Racing duo of Jesse Love and veteran Austin Hill. Alabama’s infamous track of high-speed anarchy proved to be devastating for Zilisch, as a last-lap wreck left everyone with their heart in their mouth, and no one more than Jesse Love.

Zilisch was leading the race on the final lap, with Love drafting right behind him, followed by Austin Hill. A slight tap from Hill led to a chain reaction as Love moved inside and bumped Zilisch. This contact was too much for the speeding youngster, who spun out and crashed violently into the SAFER barriers. Love finished 3rd as Austin Hill was declared the winner in a three-wide photo finish with Jeb Burton at the time of the caution. But Jesse Love was not worried about the result at all.

Connor Zilisch breathes a sigh of relief

In a miracle of durability, Zilisch emerged from the wreckage, but the crash indelibly marked his body and soul, challenging the unbreakable bond of two best friends. Zilisch was taken to the infield care center, his body throbbing from the violent collision. Back pain was his complaint, fueling fan and analyst anxiety. “Ow ow ow, my back,” Zilisch was heard saying on the radio. The crash, dissected in replays, was a chaotic blur of speed and miscalculation.

In that tense moment, Zilisch’s words after the race became a lifeline. “One of the wrecks where you just kind of tingle your toes and move your legs and make sure you’re still good. It hurt and I’ll be sore, but I’m very grateful to walk away,” he said. Addressing his back pain, he reassured, “Yeah, X-rays were all good. You know, just a big hit like that, everything compresses and you feel it. So, yeah, I’m all good. X-rays are clear. So, yeah, thankful.” Besides, Zilisch, Love was the most thankful that Zilisch was okay. The two are best friends off the track, and seeing his friend take such a hard hit after a grueling race had Love in tears.

Zilisch added, “Yeah, he just, you know, he [Jesse Love] was crying in there. He just wanted to make sure I was okay. He doesn’t want to hurt his best friend, and I wouldn’t want to do that to him. So, yeah, I’m grateful to have someone like Jesse who, you know, we race hard on the racetrack, but we care about each other off the track.”

Jesse Love was shattered. Positioned directly behind Zilisch in the three-wide battle, he feared his aggressive push had sparked the chain reaction that sent Zilisch’s car into the wall. Love was overcome with guilt, admitting, “I’m pretty sure I wrecked my best friend. Gonna owe him an apology. I don’t know if I kind of pulled out late or if he made a late block… I just gotta see a replay and then I’ll kind of be able to know.”

Meanwhile, Connor Zilisch, reflecting on the moment, admitted he’d only watched the footage once. “I was just trying to keep him in my mirror… You can’t let guys have runs like that,” he said, replaying the split-second decision to hold his line. “Maybe I should have just given him the run.” Both drivers pinning the blame on themselves just emphasize the sheer level of sportsmanship and camaraderie between the two.

In a race where tempers can flare after one bad wreck, Zilisch showed great maturity for an 18-year-old rookie. And while the wreck handed the victory to Hill, who made history by breaking a tie with Dale Earnhardt and Tony Stewart for most drafting track wins in the Xfinity Series, the spotlight remained on Zilisch and Love.

Their friendship is a rare gem in NASCAR’s cutthroat world. Bonded since their early racing days, Zilisch and Love share a “bromance” built on mutual respect, shared road trips, and countless laughs. They are inseparable off the track, often joking about their racing battles while supporting each other’s dreams. So it’s no surprise when Zilisch said after his wreck, “Jesse’s probably my best friend in the world, and I’m grateful to have someone like him who can come and stand in front of me, and you know, give me a hug after that.”

Their dynamic echoes the camaraderie of the Cup Series’ Ryan Blaney and Bubba Wallace. On the track, they’re fierce rivals, pushing each other to the limit; off it, they’re family. Love’s tearful visit to the care center wasn’t just about guilt—it was a testament to a bond that transcends the sport’s dangers.

As Connor Zilisch prepares for Texas, he carries the physical soreness of the crash and the emotional weight of reassuring his friend. His calm strength didn’t just ease Love’s fears—it reminded fans why NASCAR, for all its high-octane drama, is rooted in human connection. The Talladega wreck tested their friendship, but it also proved their resilience. Zilisch and Love will race again, side by side, knowing that no crash can break what they’ve built.

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YouTube series will cover off-track moments between Zilisch and Love

If you loved that small bit of bromance between Zilisch and Love, then get ready to feel the thrill! Shane N Bake Sports just dropped a YouTube series, Racing to the Top, featuring young stars Connor Zilisch, Daniel Dye, and Jesse Love. It’s not just about speed—it’s about their hearts, struggles, and dreams. “Getting to know this group of gentlemen over the past few years has been a huge honor for me personally,” Shake N Bake Sports CEO added. “Just to see the consummate professionals they are at the race track and to see their fire and desire to win both on and off the track is rewarding.” 

The first episode, already live, dives into Connor’s world—his grit, his passion, and what fuels him. Daniel and Jesse’s stories are coming soon, promising raw, emotional moments that’ll hit you right in the feels. Shane N Bake Sports and Blues Hog are giving them a stage to shine. Meanwhile, their on-track legacy continues to improve leaps and bounds after they each marked a significant milestone in 2025.

Connor Zilisch and Jesse Love both made their Cup Series debuts this season, albeit to contrasting fortunes. The JRM driver took on the Circuit of The Americas after winning in the Xfinity Series, and despite showing great speed, a collision with Trackhouse Racing Cup Series teammate Daniel Suarez ended his race early. Love’s outing at Bristol Motor Speedway was more fruitful from one perspective as he got to finish the race! Even though it was a 30th-place finish, 500 laps at ‘The last Great Colosseum’ is no mean feat. As these two drivers impress on the track and enjoy good times off it, we can’t wait to see them make the move up to NASCAR’s top tier, where the stage is set for them to dominate in the future.