Connor Zilisch pulled off something special at Pocono Raceway, and he didn’t do it alone. With Dale Earnhardt Jr. stepping into an unexpected role, the race became one to remember. What began as a wild battle full of cautions, close calls, and tough strategy choices turned into a career-changing moment. One restart changed the outcome. One call sealed the win.
Key Highlights from Pocono’s Explore the Pocono Mountains 250
Connor Zilisch wins first oval race, second Xfinity victory, with Dale Earnhardt Jr. as crew chief.
Jesse Love and Zilisch battle late after Chase Elliott and Allgaier nearly crash racing for the lead.
Christian Eckes claims career-best Xfinity finish in third, followed by Elliott and Ryan Sieg.
Ten cautions shape pit strategies, restart timing, and late-race positioning on 2.5-mile tri-oval.
Zilisch and Earnhardt Jr. credit teamwork, tire calls, and calm communication for breakthrough triumph.
A Rookie’s Rise with a Legend at His Side
In just his 16th NASCAR Xfinity Series start, Connor Zilisch, the 18-year-old rising star from JR Motorsports, etched his name into the Pocono Raceway history books. His thrilling late-race charge in the Explore the Pocono Mountains 250 wasn’t just a win — it was a milestone. Zilisch not only scored his first win on an oval but also handed Dale Earnhardt Jr. his first victory as a crew chief, a role the NASCAR Hall of Famer filled for the day.
Zilisch started the race strong but had to navigate a chaotic day marked by 10 cautions, multiple restart shuffles, and fierce battles with veterans and fellow rookies. With four laps remaining, he powered his No. 88 Chevrolet past close friend Jesse Love, holding off his rival to cross the line 0.437 seconds ahead for his second win of the 2025 season.
“This is one I’ve been chasing,” Zilisch said. “To do it with Dale Jr. on the pit box? Unreal.”
Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Surprise Crew Chief Victory
With full-time crew chief Mardy Lindley suspended for the weekend, Dale Earnhardt Jr. climbed atop the pit box for Zilisch — then literally helped the crew during pit stops. Despite never calling an Xfinity Series race as a crew chief before, Earnhardt masterfully managed pit strategy and handled the radio with composure. Backed by his former Cup crew chief Steve Letarte, Dale Jr. showed once again why his race IQ remains among the best.
“Hats off to everybody,” Earnhardt said post-race. “Connor Zilisch is going to be a big deal in this sport for a long time.”
Love vs. Zilisch: Friends Become Rivals at the Front
One of the most compelling stories of the race was the late-stage duel between Zilisch and Jesse Love, last year’s Xfinity Rookie of the Year. Love surged to the lead after Chase Elliott and Justin Allgaier nearly collided on a restart with 13 to go. That gave Love a shot at glory — until Zilisch lined up right behind him on the final restart.
The two friends raced clean but hard, with Zilisch ultimately using the draft and corner momentum to take the lead with three laps to go. Love was gracious, if disappointed: “I’ll hear about this one from Connor for weeks,” he joked.
Chase Elliott, Christian Eckes, and the Midfield Mayhem
Chase Elliott, in a rare Xfinity appearance, led the most laps on the day (38) and seemed poised to win before a restart miscue dropped him to fourth at the finish. Just ahead of him, Christian Eckes earned a career-best third-place result, continuing an impressive rookie campaign with Kaulig Racing. Ryan Sieg, always a threat at Pocono, completed the top five.
Championship leader Justin Allgaier, who narrowly avoided disaster with Elliott late in the race, faded to 10th but retained his 82-point lead over Austin Hill, who crashed early and finished 35th.
Full Results Recap: The Top Performers and Heartbreaks
Behind the front five, the rest of the field battled for valuable playoff points and experience. Carson Kvapil (6th), Sam Mayer (7th), and Sammy Smith (8th) showed consistency. Rookie Taylor Gray and veteran Allgaier rounded out the top 10.
| Fin | Car | Driver |
| 1 | 88 | Connor Zilisch |
| 2 | 2 | Jesse Love |
| 3 | 16 | Christian Eckes |
| 4 | 17 | Chase Elliott |
| 5 | 39 | Ryan Sieg |
| 6 | 1 | Carson Kvapil |
| 7 | 41 | Sam Mayer |
| 8 | 8 | Sammy Smith |
| 9 | 54 | Taylor Gray |
| 10 | 7 | Justin Allgaier |
| 11 | 27 | Jeb Burton |
| 12 | 51 | Jeremy Clements |
| 13 | 42 | Anthony Alfredo |
| 14 | 25 | Harrison Burton |
| 15 | 11 | Josh Williams |
| 16 | 44 | Brennan Poole |
| 17 | 26 | Dean Thompson |
| 18 | 20 | Brandon Jones |
| 19 | 99 | |
| 20 | 45 | Mason Massey |
| 21 | 18 | William Sawalich |
| 22 | 4 | Parker Retzlaff |
| 23 | 91 | Josh Bilicki |
| 24 | 70 | Leland Honeyman |
| 25 | 28 | Kyle Sieg |
| 26 | 14 | Garrett Smithley |
| 27 | 53 | Logan Bearden |
| 28 | 48 | Nick Sanchez |
| 29 | 31 | Blaine Perkins |
| 30 | 7 | Patrick Emerling |
| 31 | 10 | Daniel Dye |
| 32 | 71 | Ryan Ellis |
| 33 | 74 | Dawson Cram |
| 34 | 35 | Carson Ware |
| 35 | 21 | Austin Hill |
| 36 | 0 | Sheldon Creed |
| 37 | 5 | Kris Wright |
| 38 | 19 | Justin Bonsignore |
Notably, Austin Hill, who had dominated Atlanta earlier this year, crashed out after just 96 laps. Sheldon Creed and Kris Wright also suffered early exits due to mechanical issues and incidents.
Post-race inspection cleared Zilisch’s car. However, Nos. 16 and 17 (Eckes and Elliott) were selected for further inspection at the R&D Center in Concord.
News in Brief: 2025 Pocono Xfinity Race Results
Saturday’s Explore the Pocono Mountains 250 was more than just another chapter in the Xfinity season — it was a coming-of-age story. Connor Zilisch proved he belongs, handling pressure, executing restarts, and working seamlessly with NASCAR royalty atop the pit box. In a season packed with new talent and old rivalries, this race stood out as a snapshot of where the sport is heading.
And perhaps even more importantly, Dale Jr.’s delighted smile in Victory Lane said it all: The next generation is in good hands.
ALSO READ: Who Wins the NASCAR Xfinity Pocono Race? Top 5 Picks for the 2025 Explore the Pocono Mountains 250
