At Nashville, Dale Earnhardt Jr NASCAR Xfinity Nashville race results spotlighted JR Motorsports celebrating a 1-2 finish, led by Justin Allgaier and rookie Connor Zilisch. The June 1 race at the Tennessee Lottery 250 saw the young Zilisch finish as runner-up once again, even after an impressive stint at the front.
The 18-year-old driver, racing for JR Motorsports, built momentum after a dramatic Cup Series weekend, but Nashville produced mixed emotions for Zilisch. While he delivered another outstanding Xfinity Series result in only his 17th start, victory slipped away as his teammate Allgaier secured the win by capitalizing on late-race experience and strategy.
Zilisch’s Second Straight Runner-Up Finish in Nashville
Connor Zilisch began the race from tenth on the starting grid and steadily moved forward, eventually leading for 18 laps. However, as the event developed, Allgaier’s experience on the Nashville track became apparent, especially as conditions shifted in the final stage.
The last few weeks have been intense for Zilisch. In the previous race, his run with Cup Series hero Jimmie Johnson ended in a crash. This week in Nashville added to his roller-coaster stretch—racing at the front, yet still battling frustration at falling just short in a head-to-head finish with his JR Motorsports teammate.
After the race, Zilisch openly shared his frustration with another second-place result:
“Man I hate finishing 2nd. We’re doing all the right things I just need to do a little bit better in stage 3 of these races. Thank you and congrats to @JRMotorsports on the 1-2👊🏼”
— Connor Zilisch, JR Motorsports Driver
Clean Air and Track Position Shape the Outcome
The decisive factor throughout the race was track position and the influence of clean air, a point reinforced by both Zilisch and the winner, Allgaier. During his post-race reaction, Zilisch explained where the difference lay in those tense final laps:
“That two or three percent of grip is what makes the difference,”
Zilisch observed when describing his late-race struggle while chasing the leader. He further commented,
“That’s why I fell off those last few laps. I couldn’t quite hold on.”
— Connor Zilisch, JR Motorsports Driver
Sam Mayer, another JR Motorsports contender who finished third, also pointed to the challenge of maintaining track position under such competitive and tightly packed conditions. The consensus in the paddock was clear: With little margin for error, the advantage often belonged to the car in front, especially on a day when clean air was considered “king.”
Looking Ahead After Another Close Call
Despite coming so close to his elusive second career victory, Zilisch emphasized he must learn from these experiences and focus on improving in crucial race moments. His current streak puts JR Motorsports in a dominant spotlight, reaffirming the strength of Dale Earnhardt Jr’s organization in the Xfinity Series.
With a scheduled week off, the NASCAR Xfinity Series field—including Zilisch, Allgaier, and other top rookies—will next compete in Mexico City on Saturday, June 14. The break offers a brief opportunity to regroup, but all eyes will be on whether the rising talent can convert another strong run into a first-place finish in the historic race south of the border.
