NASCAR Xfinity Series rookie Connor Zilisch showcased impressive skill during Saturday’s Ag-Pro 300 at Talladega Superspeedway, battling Richard Childress Racing teammates Jesse Love and Austin Hill as the race reached its climax. The 18-year-old driver, competing in just his fourth superspeedway race in NASCAR’s top-three series, had taken the lead from teammate Justin Allgaier in a thrilling six-lap surge, only to face an unexpected twist half a lap from potential victory.
As the race neared its conclusion, Jesse Love attempted a bold move to pass Zilisch on the backstretch. This maneuver resulted in contact that sent the No. 88 WeatherTech Chevrolet spinning towards the inside SAFER Barrier. The high-speed slide concluded with a devastating crash, ripping the entire front end of the car away from the impact.
The dramatic incident drew a caution that ultimately ended the race, leaving Zilisch in a precarious situation. In moments immediately following the crash, he could be heard on the radio expressing concern about back pain, saying, “Ow, ow, ow, my back… ohhh,” according to reports from Brett Winningham, who monitored the communications. Fortunately, Zilisch received prompt attention from the AMR Safety Team and was able to exit the damaged vehicle and walk to the ambulance.
After being evaluated, the young driver managed to leave the infield care center unscathed. “Yeah, I’m okay. That was one of the wrecks where you move your legs and make sure everything is okay afterwards,” Zilisch remarked. “I’m very grateful to drive safe JR Motorsports racecars; our WeatherTech Chevrolet was fast, and we were in the right spot, but yeah, I’m grateful to be up and walking.”
Love, who inadvertently triggered the crash with contact, later visited Zilisch in the care center, further emphasizing their strong friendship. “Jesse is probably my best friend in the world,” Zilisch stated, appreciating the support. “Grateful to have someone like him who can come and stand in front of me and give me a hug after that.”
Despite the frightening end to the race, Zilisch was officially scored with a DNF and a 27th place finish at Talladega, while Love continued to perform well, finishing in third place. The resilience displayed by Connor Zilisch during this intense moment not only highlights his determination as a rookie in NASCAR but also suggests a promising future, particularly in the face of adversity.
