Connor Zilisch secures Xfinity pole with a record-setting lap at Circuit of the Americas in his No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet. The 18-year-old outpaced top names in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, proving he belongs among the best. His blistering speed in qualifying left even experienced drivers trailing behind. With the Focused Health 250 ahead, all eyes are on what comes next. Can he turn his pole position into victory, or will the competition strike back on race day?
A Record-Setting Performance in Qualifying
Connor Zilisch made a huge statement at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) on Friday afternoon. The 18-year-old driver dominated both the practice and qualifying sessions for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Focused Health 250. Driving the No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet, Zilisch clocked an impressive lap time of 1 minute, 37.262 seconds.
This secured him his second career NASCAR Xfinity Series pole position in just his seventh career start. The performance was a clear indication that Zilisch is not just another young talent—he’s a serious contender.
Zilisch, who is also set to make his NASCAR Cup Series debut in the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix on Sunday, knows that expectations are high. However, he is staying focused on the task ahead.
“Yeah, I mean, it’s a really good start to the weekend,” Zilisch said after securing the pole. His impressive speed on Friday will only add to his growing confidence as he prepares for his NASCAR Cup Series debut.
Beating NASCAR’s Best on the Road Course
Connor Zilisch’s pole-winning performance was even more impressive given the competition he faced. Ross Chastain, a past NASCAR Cup Series race winner at COTA in 2022, will start alongside Zilisch on the front row. Despite Chastain’s road course experience, he was nearly two-tenths of a second slower than Zilisch in qualifying.
William Byron, the defending champion of the NASCAR Cup Series EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix and a two-time Cup Series pole winner at COTA, will start in third place for the Xfinity race. Byron’s lap was nearly a full second slower than Zilisch’s time, proving just how fast the young driver was on Friday.
Zilisch’s performance has already silenced many doubters who questioned whether a teenager making his NASCAR Cup Series debut could be considered a favorite to win. By outrunning some of the top Cup Series drivers in Xfinity practice and qualifying, he has only increased his chances of making history on Sunday.
Staying Focused Amid the Hype
Despite the growing excitement surrounding his NASCAR Cup Series debut, Connor Zilisch remains determined to keep his focus on performing at his best. The Trackhouse Racing development driver is aware of the media buzz but refuses to let it affect his mindset.
“Just going to have to keep blocking it out, and doing my best to do my thing when it comes to getting in the race car and putting my helmet on, and just allowing myself to execute and do what I know I need to do.”
“I’m excited to see what the Cup car is like tomorrow.” – Connor Zilisch
With all eyes on him, Zilisch is prepared to take on the challenge and prove that his success is not just hype—it’s real talent.
The Rest of the Field and Unexpected DNQs
Joining Zilisch, Chastain, and Byron in the top five for the Xfinity race are defending series champion Justin Allgaier in fourth and Carson Kvapil in fifth. Corey Heim, Taylor Gray, Sam Mayer, Riley Herbst, and Christian Eckes rounded out the top-10 qualifiers, setting up an exciting race for Saturday.
However, with 41 cars entered for the race and only 38 spots available, three drivers failed to make the starting lineup.
The DNQs (Did Not Qualify) included Parker Retzlaff, who is running the full Xfinity Series schedule for Alpha Prime Racing, road course specialist Thomas Annunziata, who suffered a mechanical failure during qualifying, and Brad Perez, the driver of the No. 45 Alpha Prime Racing Chevrolet. These surprises highlight just how competitive the field was at COTA.
As the Focused Health 250 approaches, all eyes will be on Connor Zilisch. His performance on Friday has already set the stage for what could be a historic weekend for the young driver.
News in Brief: Connor Zilisch Secures Xfinity Pole
Connor Zilisch delivered a dominant performance at Circuit of the Americas, securing the Xfinity Series pole with a blazing lap in his No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet. He outran top drivers like Ross Chastain and William Byron, proving he’s a serious contender. As he prepares for both the Focused Health 250 and his NASCAR Cup Series debut, the pressure is on. With excitement building, Saturday’s race promises action.
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