Connor Zilisch captured his first career victory on an oval track at the 2025 Explore the Pocono Mountains 250, with Dale Earnhardt Jr. as his crew chief for the race, highlighting the unique collaboration between the two in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. In a post-race interview, Zilisch discussed the significance of working with Dale Earnhardt Jr. as crew chief for Connor Zilisch, shedding light on their developing relationship and the events leading to Dale Jr.’s role on race day.
Zilisch’s Strong Performance at Pocono Raceway
Racing for the #88 Chevy, Zilisch started the 250-lap event at Pocono Raceway with promising momentum after qualifying in the top ten with a fastest lap of 54.63 seconds, trailing Chase Elliott’s pole-setting run by less than half a second at 0.42 seconds off. Showing consistent speed and control, Zilisch advanced through the field during the 100-lap contest, ultimately taking the checkered flag ahead of tough competitors.
He clinched his maiden win on an oval circuit, finishing just 0.437 seconds ahead of Jesse Love from Richard Childress Racing. The top five was completed by Christian Eckes, Chase Elliott of Hendrick Motorsports, and Ryan Sieg, with the highly competitive nature of the race demonstrating Zilisch’s rising presence in the Xfinity Series.
The Circumstances Behind Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Crew Chief Role
The collaboration between Zilisch and Dale Earnhardt Jr. originated from a sudden crew chief change instigated by a technical infraction at an earlier race. After a post-race inspection at Nashville Superspeedway uncovered a loose lug nut, NASCAR handed a one-race suspension to Zilisch’s regular crew chief, Mardy Lindley. As a result, Dale Earnhardt Jr., a NASCAR legend and team owner, stepped in as a rookie crew chief for the Pocono race at the request of Lindley.
There’s probably over 100 people at JR Motorsports that would have been more qualified, but Mardy asked me to do it. So I was like, ‘You must want me to do it.’ … We got a great team and a great organization that can handle these types of challenges. Should be no problem.” —Dale Earnhardt Jr., Team Owner
The decision was supported by the organization’s depth of experience and collective confidence in their ability to adapt and perform, ultimately leading to a noteworthy victory under new leadership in the pit box.
Zilisch Opens Up About His Relationship with Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Following his triumph, Zilisch reflected on his evolving relationship with his boss during an interview with In-Between Media, expressing admiration for Earnhardt Jr.’s approachable leadership style and his willingness to offer guidance to team members.
“Dale’s an awesome guy. You know, he’s a shy, sometimes awkward guy, but, you know, he’s really cool, and he’s got such a great heart, you know. You think a guy like him would be too cool for school sometimes or would maybe look at some people and think differently, but he is just the most normal down to earth guy you love to meet.” —Connor Zilisch, Driver
“I could go to him for anything, and when I text him, I’ve never had a text go through where he didn’t respond within 20 minutes. So, having a guy like that, just so willing to help all his drivers…Everybody at Junior Motorsports is awesome.” —Connor Zilisch, Driver
Zilisch highlighted the supportive culture fostered within Junior Motorsports, further emphasizing the value leaders like Earnhardt Jr. bring in times of challenge and opportunity.
The Victory’s Impact on Zilisch’s Standings
This win marked Zilisch’s third career victory in the Xfinity Series. The result propelled him into fifth place in the series points standings, where he now holds 488 points, alongside two race wins, seven top-ten finishes, five top-five results, and four pole awards from 15 starts in the season thus far. The triumph under the guidance of Dale Earnhardt Jr. adds a noteworthy chapter to both their resumes and heightens expectations for future races.
With this latest accomplishment, Connor Zilisch continues to establish himself as a rising competitor in stock car racing. The partnership with Earnhardt Jr. as crew chief for Connor Zilisch at Pocono demonstrated the flexibility and depth of Junior Motorsports, as well as the mutual respect among its members. Enthusiasm now builds around how this momentum might shape the upcoming rounds of the NASCAR Xfinity Series for Zilisch, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and their team.
