Kyle Larson will replace Connor Zilisch in the upcoming NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Texas Motor Speedway this Saturday, after Zilisch was sidelined by an injury suffered during a dramatic wreck at Talladega last weekend. The decision comes swiftly, as JR Motorsports confirmed Zilisch would not compete, placing all eyes on Larson, who is set to make his third Xfinity Series appearance of the season.
This abrupt change was prompted when Connor Zilisch, an 18-year-old rookie turning heads in his first full Xfinity Series season, was involved in a single-car crash on the final lap at Talladega. He immediately expressed gratitude for his safety and the quick response of his team, sharing on social media, “Thank you to [Kyle Larson] for stepping up for me this weekend and everyone who has helped me through this process. Doing everything I can to be back as soon as possible.” Despite his optimism, concerns about his back injury made it impossible for Zilisch to race at Texas.
Zilisch has impressed in 2025, quickly building momentum by winning the COTA race, earning three top-10 finishes, and securing sixth in the current Xfinity Series points standings. However, his accident brought an unexpected pause to his season. His maturity showed in post-wreck comments as he assured fans, “Yeah, I’m okay. That’s one of the wrecks where you move your legs and make sure everything feels okay afterwards. So, very grateful to drive safe JR Motorsports race cars.”
Now, the spotlight shines on Kyle Larson as he prepares to pilot the No. 17 Chevrolet, filling in for the sidelined Zilisch. Larson is no stranger to the Xfinity Series, having already achieved a win at Bristol and a strong fourth-place finish at Homestead this year. His versatility and experience inject a sense of optimism into the JR Motorsports garage and throughout the fanbase. Earlier this month, following his Bristol win, Larson told NASCAR.com, “It’s awesome. I wish I could have won last night – just came up a little bit short. It’s cool to get a win this weekend for Jon [Edwards] and everybody who’s been a part of his life.”
With Connor Zilisch temporarily out, Kyle Larson’s presence in Texas is set to energize the race weekend, bringing extra excitement and anticipation for both teams and fans. The change could significantly influence the championship landscape, offering Larson another chance to showcase his remarkable talent while Zilisch focuses on recovery and a swift return to competition. As the racing community rallies around both drivers, all eyes will be on Texas to witness how this high-stakes substitution shapes unfolding season narratives and individual careers alike.
