Connor Zilisch Dominates at Dover to Notch Fifth 2025 Season with JR Motorsports
Despite inclement weather shortening events at Dover Motor Speedway on Saturday, Connor Zilisch has made yet another stride in the NASCAR Xfinity Series after winning the BetsRiver 200. Zilisch’s Dover win is the fourth win of 2025 and the second consecutive this year, marking his fifth career victory.
The achievement makes him the youngest in series history to accomplish this feat. Zilisch, piloting the No. 88 Carolina Carports Chevrolet, held off Aric Almirola by a narrow margin of 1.843 seconds to clinch victory. The win was monumental not just for Zilisch but also for JR Motorsports, as it marked the team’s 99th victory since its inception in 2006.
Owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. has worked tirelessly to build the team’s success and even filled in as crew chief for Connor Zilisch in Pocono on June 21, when Marty Lindley was unavailable. It seems that this dedication is paying off not only for Earnhardt but also for his drivers, and that was evident in Zilisch’s performance at Dover. Here’s how the youngster emerged victorious at the 20th points-paying race of the Xfinity Series season.
Connor Zilisch’s Surprising Path to Victory
The weekend started pretty solid for Connor Zilisch, and there are no surprises there. After all, Zilisch was one of three rookies on the Xfinity Series roster to qualify in the top five for the BetsRiver 200 starting grid in third position after qualifying 23.753 seconds ahead of Brandon Jones (23.766). Joe Gibbs Racing’s Taylor Gray took the top spot to start from the pole by 23.587 seconds over Big Machine Racing’s Nick Sanchez at 23.673.
Though the BetsRiver 200 at Dover Motor Speedway came to an abrupt end due to relentless weather, Connor Zilisch couldn’t have fared better. The JR Motorsports driver took the stage two victory and ultimately the overall win after leading 77 of 134 laps in a race that would’ve otherwise run for 200 had it not been for rain. Joe Gibbs drivers Aric Almirola (P2), Brandon Jones (P3, teammate Justin Allgaier (P4), and Richard Childress’ Jesse Love (P5) followed, rounding out the top five for the BetsRiver 200 at Dover.
Drivers, including Ryan Sieg (P6), Taylor Gray (P7), Sheldon Creed (P8), William Sawalich (P9), and Christian Eckes, capped the top ten. Zilisch may only be 19 years old, but he has proven time and time again why he is going nowhere fast. After earning 57 points as a result of the BetsRiver 200 win, Connor Zilisch now stands at 725 overall season points with an average start of 7.4, average finish of 10.2, has earned four poles, 12 top-tens, 11 top-fives, and five wins out of 20 races run in 2025.
Why The Win is a Proud One
The win at Dover Motor Speedway in the BetsRiver 200 was a proud one for Connor Zilisch because he tacked on points to an already impressive season. So far, in the 2025 points standings, Zilisch is second to JR Motorsports teammate Justin Allgaier, who is the leader with 750 overall points. Inarguably, JR Motorsports has dominated the Xfinity field this season, with Allgaier’s three wins and Zilisch’s 5, bringing the total to 8.
These wins have set a pivotal milestone for the team as they are collectively a single win away from tying Richard Childress Racing for the most all-time wins in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Connor Zilisch’s win at Dover Motor Speedway is a proud one, not only because it marks the 100th win for JR Motorsports as a team, but it also displays his continued perseverance on road courses.
He’s precise and manages his pace impeccably, paying close attention to tight turns, and most importantly, he performs well under the challenging conditions that road courses are notorious for. Ironically, Zilisch won his inaugural race in the Mission 200 in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Watkins Glen International, arguably one of the toughest in the circuit.
As recently as July 12, in the PitBoss/FoodMaxx 250, Zilisch conquered Sonoma Raceway in California over Shane van Gisbergen, who started from the pole position. He’s also achieved similar feats at Circuit of the Americas and Pocono, which is just a glimmer into what Zilisch is truly capable of on road courses. The win at Dover is just a fraction of what he will be able to achieve with 12 races remaining in the season.
Final Thoughts
Connor Zilisch has become an undeniable force in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. He is a generational talent who will certainly climb the ladder in stock car racing for years to come. Securing his third course win of his career is a testament to the dedication, sacrifice, and time Zilisch has put in, and is just a piece of the success to come. Perhaps he will even be added to the NASCAR Hall of Fame like his 26-time Cup Series-winning boss, Dale Earnhardt Jr, but only time will tell.
