Connor Zilisch stamped his name into the history books on Saturday afternoon, charging back to the front in the closing laps to win the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The 19-year-old outdueled Taylor Gray and Sam Mayer in a dramatic finish, capturing his third straight win and delivering Junior Motorsports’ 100th career victory.
Zilisch’s run to the checkered flag was anything but smooth. He lost the lead multiple times, navigated through two late-race cautions, and took advantage of a final push from Mayer to reclaim the top spot. The finish capped off a milestone moment for JRM, who joined Richard Childress Racing and a select group of organizations to hit the 100-win mark in the Xfinity Series.
Key Highlights
Connor Zilisch scores third consecutive win, first at Indianapolis
Junior Motorsports earns 100th career NASCAR Xfinity Series victory
Sam Mayer wins Stage 1; Justin Allgaier claims Stage 2
Late contact between Larson and Allgaier sparks chaos up front
Weather threat loomed late, race ends under dry conditions after red flag
Sam Mayer Sets the Tone Early
From the drop of the green flag, Sam Mayer showed speed and control, executing the perfect launch with help from teammate Sheldon Creed. The pair quickly cleared Nick Sanchez and built a solid gap using drafting tactics often seen on superspeedways.
Mayer went unchallenged through the first stage, leading wire-to-wire for his third stage win of the season. Behind him, drivers like Erik Almirola, Justin Allgaier, and Taylor Gray all jockeyed for stage points while chaos erupted in the back. An early caution on lap three collected Harrison Burton, setting the tone for a race full of attrition.
Contact and Drafting Drama Define Mid-Race Action
Stage two brought a mix of aggressive blocking, daring three-wide moves, and key moments of contact. Zilisch began to emerge as a true threat, navigating around Mayer and Allgaier with smooth, calculated passes. However, Allgaier countered with a veteran move at the line to steal the Stage 2 win by inches, using side draft off lapped traffic to gain a nose advantage.
Meanwhile, Nick Sanchez slammed the wall in Stage 2 after tight racing in the pack, forcing another caution. Multiple drivers, including Kyle Larson and Brandon Jones, surged into the top five as the race became increasingly strategic—especially with impending weather adding urgency.
Kyle Larson Turns Allgaier in Wild Restart Incident
With 20 laps to go and rain in the area, the urgency ramped up. On a critical restart, Kyle Larson and Justin Allgaier went side-by-side for the lead. Larson pushed up into Allgaier’s left rear off Turn 2, spinning the No. 7 into the wall and taking both contenders out of the fight.
That incident opened the door for Zilisch, who navigated through the chaos and reclaimed the lead as the field reshuffled. The move drew mixed reactions. Allgaier’s team suspected retaliation, while Larson described the contact as a loss of grip under throttle.
Shortly afterward, a crash involving Austin Hill and Erik Almirola added fuel to the fire. Hill defended his actions over the radio, while Almirola declared it a “cheap shot” and “100% a dirty move.” NASCAR threw the red flag with four laps to go, citing rain and fluid on the track.
Rookie Duel Headlines Final Restart
Following a brief red flag and with four laps remaining, NASCAR restarted the race just before a heavier cell of rain approached. Zilisch and fellow rookie Taylor Gray lined up on the front row. Gray launched first with a massive push from Sheldon Creed, momentarily taking the lead as Zilisch got shuffled.
But the 88 didn’t stay behind for long. Down the backstretch, Sam Mayer hooked up with Zilisch, forming a two-car tandem draft that surged past Gray. Zilisch cleared the field off Turn 4 and never looked back, holding on through the final lap as Mayer and Gray battled for second.
The winning move mirrored several of Zilisch’s late-race attacks throughout the year—a confident outside run with a loyal pusher and perfect timing. Mayer’s decision to stick with his JRM teammate proved key to locking down the organization’s landmark win.
Junior Motorsports Hits 100 Wins
The win not only capped a remarkable day for Zilisch but also marked a major moment for Junior Motorsports. Founded by Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kelley Earnhardt Miller, the team becomes just the fourth in Xfinity Series history to reach 100 wins. They’re also the second team to achieve the feat this season, following Richard Childress Racing’s milestone at Martinsville.
“I hope I get to go down there and celebrate with them today,” Earnhardt Jr. said during the broadcast. “It’d be a lot of fun.” Zilisch, who joined the team as a rising prospect, continues to validate the hype with three wins in as many weeks—first at Pocono, then Dover, and now Indianapolis.
Zilisch also put to rest any doubts about his ability to win on ovals. Critics had downplayed his Pocono win due to the track’s unique shape and dismissed Dover’s rain-shortened result. But with a victory at the Brickyard, there’s no more debate: Connor Zilisch has officially arrived.
News in Brief: 2025 Pennzoil 250 Highlights
Connor Zilisch delivered a clutch, calculated performance at Indianapolis to earn his third straight Xfinity Series win and help Junior Motorsports reach a milestone 100th victory. With slick moves, well-timed restarts, and a strong car under pressure, Zilisch cemented his reputation as a rising star. And for JRM, there was no better place to celebrate their centennial win than at the Brickyard—kissing the bricks with one of the sport’s most promising young drivers.
