Five times. That’s how many times Connor Zilisch has won in the NASCAR development series this season, after yet another dominating performance at Watkins Glen. It didn’t matter who else was competing against him, whether it was five-time Xfinity Series race winner Brandon Jones vying for a win, or Joe Gibbs Racing’s William Sawalich hoping to give the 18-year-old a run for his money. Zilisch, who will be racing for JR Motorsports in 2025 was head and shoulders above the competition, showing the racing community that the teenage phenom is a force to be reckoned with.

Richard Childress Racing’s Jesse Love guided Zilisch to Victory Lane, serving as a spotter for his No. 28 Chevy on the 2.45-mile track. Was a win inevitable when two generational talents teamed up at ‘The Glen’? Given how dominant Zilisch’s performance was, it certainly seems like it.

Connor Zilisch redeems himself at Watkins Glen

Heartbreak. That’s what Connor Zilisch went through at Watkins Glen International in 2023, after narrowly missing out on victory despite leading 34 out of 41 laps on the track. Funnily enough, Jesse Love caught up with the North Carolina native at that time, stealing a victory right under Zilisch’s nose on his ARCA Menards Series debut.

However, the disappointing end to the race didn’t discourage Pinnacle Racing Group’s driver from trying to make amends this time around, and with last year’s race winner on spotting duties, the result could have only gone one way. In an interview after the race, the future JR Motorsports driver expressed his delight at securing his fifth win in six appearances at the 2024 ARCA Menards Series so far.

He said, “This Pinnacle Racing Group team, they’ve worked hard and this is one we wanted this year. We’ve worked hard to bring a fast car to these road courses and it means a lot to get redemption after our second-place finish last year.” Speaking about his No. 28 car, which showed lightning-fast pace all race, the 18-year-old driver went on to say, “It makes my job easier, every time I show up to the track they bring me a fast car and I can count on them.”

To say that Zilisch was dominant at General Tire 100 at the Glen would be an understatement. After just 10 laps into the race, the Trackhouse Racing development driver was a staggering 11.1 seconds ahead of second-place William Sawalich, and the gap extended by four seconds by the time the midrace break had arrived.

If that wasn’t all, even eight-time ARCA Menards Series race winner Brandon Jones couldn’t keep up the pace with the race winner, as over 15 seconds separated the two drivers by the time the race ended. The victory couldn’t have come at a perfect time for Connor Zilisch, who is due to make his Xfinity Series debut at Watkins Glen.

The North Carolina native will be driving JR Motorsports’ No. 88 Chevy and will hope to replicate the form he has shown in the NASCAR development series to impress Dale Earnhardt Jr and his new teammates. He will also be competing in three other races later this year, at Kansas and Homestead-Miami Speedway, as well as the season finale at Phoenix Raceway.

Zilisch eager to make his mark at JR Motorsports!

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Despite making his Xfinity Series debut this season, Connor Zilisch will have to wait until 2025 to race for JR Motorsports on a full-time basis. The No. 88 car has made 10 starts in the opening 24 races so far, featuring the likes of Bubba Pollard, Carson Kvapil, and Connor Mosack. However, the last time a driver entered Victory Lane at Watkins Glen International while piloting the car was none other than Kyle Larson in 2022, and Zilisch will be eager to follow in the footsteps of his racing idols.

Expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to race in the Xfinity Series, the North Carolina native said in a press conference, “I am so grateful and can’t wait to show them that their trust in me is warranted. It is mind-blowing to think that I will be driving for JR Motorsports and Dale Earnhardt, Jr., who is one of my heroes. I’m ready to put in the work.”

In response, Dale Jr said, “We’re excited for him to get behind the wheel full-time next season. He is on a path to sure success with support from Chevrolet, Silver Hare Racing, Trackhouse, and now JR Motorsports.” While the word ‘generational talent’ gets thrown around in the racing community too often, one can’t help but feel that Connor Zilisch is the real deal.

His debut at Watkins Glen marks a new beginning for the next best thing in stock car racing, and the 18-year-old will hope that he can fulfill his potential at JR Motorsports before eventually progressing into the Cup Series, which is where he undoubtedly belongs. Will he make his mark on his Xfinity Series debut? Time will tell, but great things are already being expected from the racing prodigy. It’s up to him whether he rises to the occasion, or wilts under pressure.