At the NASCAR Xfinity Series race in Dover on July 19, Aric Almirola Xfinity Series runner-up, shared his experience competing against Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s highly successful JR Motorsports team, which continued its impressive season with a fourth win for Conner Zilisch. The rain-shortened race showcased the dominance of JR Motorsports, making the challenge for rivals like Joe Gibbs Racing and Almirola even more difficult as the season progresses.
Conner Zilisch Adds Fourth Win of the Season
Conner Zilisch, racing for Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s JR Motorsports, secured his fourth NASCAR Xfinity Series victory at Dover International Speedway, leading 77 out of the 134 laps run before the event was cut short due to heavy rain. Originally slated for 200 laps, the race saw Zilisch solidifying his place among the season’s top drivers, now holding the second spot in the series standings with 674 points. Zilisch has delivered remarkable consistency, with four wins, nine top-five finishes, and four pole positions this year, confirming his reputation as a standout talent at only 18.
JR Motorsports has taken a commanding lead this season, placing two of its drivers at the very top of the overall rankings. While Zilisch has notched three wins and a runner-up and fourth-place finish in the last five races, his performance has built a considerable advantage for the team in a highly competitive field.
Aric Almirola Reflects on Competing Against JR Motorsports
Aric Almirola, representing Joe Gibbs Racing, finished second at Dover and acknowledged the formidable challenge posed by JR Motorsports throughout the current Xfinity Series season. The 41-year-old credited the team‘s technical excellence and consistency, highlighting just how tough it is to find a way past Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s cars.
“The JR Motorsports cars are the class of the field. They are incredibly fast, and if you’re going to beat them, you’ve got to be perfect, and we just weren’t perfect today… It is just too hard, they are too fast, they have built too big of a gap, and the competition is so close, it is hard to overcome that,”
—Aric Almirola, via Peter Stratta
Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Team Celebrate Dominant Season
Dale Earnhardt Jr., owner of JR Motorsports, saw his team claim its eleventh win in the first 20 events of the year with Zilisch’s latest triumph at the Betrivers 200 in Dover. The team’s winning mentality was evident in their approach as well as their after-race celebrations.
“Dale Earnhardt Jr. already has the Busch Light out after yet another win for JR Motorsports,”
—Steven Taranto, CBS Sports
All four JR Motorsports drivers are currently inside the top ten in the drivers’ standings. Justin Allgaier has contributed three wins, Sammy Smith has notched one, and Carson Kvapil—competing in his rookie year—aims to secure his first victory soon. The team’s momentum continues as they look ahead to the next race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where the Pennzoil 250 will take place on July 26.
Outlook for the Remainder of the Xfinity Series Season
As the NASCAR Xfinity Series moves forward, JR Motorsports has set a formidable pace that competitors are striving to match. With Conner Zilisch’s rapid rise and the solid performances by teammates like Justin Allgaier and Sammy Smith, the team is establishing itself as the benchmark. Joe Gibbs Racing, with Aric Almirola leading their efforts, faces a significant task to keep up with the points leaders in the season’s back half. The next event at Indianapolis may provide another opportunity for teams to close the gap as the push toward the playoffs intensifies.
