Connor Zilisch found himself deeply frustrated after the Chilango 150 at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City, where an intense final stage crash dashed his hopes of a top finish and set the stage for Daniel Suarez to seize a dramatic victory. The NASCAR Cup Series race saw multiple cautions and a turbulent ending, impacting not just Zilisch but also several other top contenders, as Suarez crossed the line ahead of Taylor Gray, Austin Hill, and Christian Eckes.
Zilisch’s hopes unravel after late-race incident
Connor Zilisch, a promising driver for JR Motorsports, was running inside the top ten when a collision during a final restart spun him to the back of the field. Despite the chaos that unfolded with only seven laps left and another caution that briefly offered a glimmer of hope, he was ultimately unable to recover the lost ground.
The event’s late developments proved costly for Zilisch. He managed to fight back and finished in fifth place, but the disappointment was palpable given his competitive showing earlier in the race. Daniel Suarez, representing the NASCAR Cup Series, captured the win as Taylor Gray, Austin Hill, and Christian Eckes rounded off the top four positions at the thrilling Mexico City event.
Following his finish, Zilisch reflected on the struggles and complications of the race:
“I probably could have just let the 2 (Jesse Love) outside of me have it. That late in the race I feel like you gotta race for it. But yeah, frustrating. The restarts were hectic all day long. You know, that long of a straightaway, you’re going so fast into Turn 1 and the brakes weren’t so big, so much was happening.”
—Connor Zilisch, JR Motorsports rookie
On top of the difficult restart, Zilisch’s car sustained noticeable damage after contact with Ty Gibbs, hindering his progress during the four-lap shootout that decided the final results.
“Killed our chance to get the win but proud that we came back to finish top five,”
—Connor Zilisch, JR Motorsports rookie
Current standings and upcoming challenges
With the Mexico City race concluded, Zilisch stands fifth in the driver rankings with 430 points after 15 races this season. The 18-year-old Charlotte native has logged four top-five and six top-ten finishes, maintaining his status as a notable young competitor this year.
Next on the schedule for Zilisch is the Explore the Pocono Mountains 250 at Pocono Raceway, set for Saturday, June 21. The century-lap event will air live on CW from 3:30 p.m. ET, while fans can also follow along on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio for up-to-the-minute coverage. This upcoming contest presents Zilisch with a new opportunity to improve his standing and chase a long-awaited victory after the disappointment in Mexico City.
Zilisch takes on pitbox spotting duties during Cup Series practice
As a further sign of his growing role in the NASCAR community, Connor Zilisch was spotted serving as a temporary spotter for Ross Chastain during practice for the upcoming Viva Mexico 250 Cup Series race. This marked Zilisch’s first significant experience working atop the pitbox, stepping in while Chastain’s usual spotter Brandon McReynolds dealt with travel delays affecting several Trackhouse Racing team members.
Journalist Steven Taranto broke the news on social media:
“Connor Zilisch is filling in as Ross Chastain’s spotter during this practice session. Chastain’s usual spotter Brandon McReynolds was among the Trackhouse Racing employees affected by the team’s travel issues. Broadcast said it was the Zilisch has ever spotted, but he did do some spotting in Chicago a year ago.”
—Steven Taranto, Journalist
Currently, Zilisch is under contract with Trackhouse Racing as a development driver and has already tasted victory this year at Circuit of the Americas (COTA). In addition to his NASCAR efforts, he competes across several motorsport series, including the CARS Tour, Trans-Am Series, IMSA SportsCar Championship, and Global MX-5 Cup, reflecting his versatility and ambition. Supported by Red Bull sponsorship, Zilisch remains one of the most watched up-and-coming figures in American racing circles.
As the season continues, all eyes will remain on Connor Zilisch, both for his on-track performance after the challenging Mexico City round and for his expanding presence off the track in strategic roles alongside key teams and drivers.
