In the middle of chaos, on one of NASCAR’s most unforgiving tracks, Connor Zilisch stood tall. The 19-year-old racer scored a defining win in the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It was his fifth win of the season and third in a row, but more importantly, it delivered the 100th career victory for JR Motorsports. Zilisch’s triumph wasn’t about dominance—it was about patience, intelligence, and cold-blooded execution at a venue where legends rise and fall in seconds.
Key Highlights
Zilisch earned JR Motorsports its 100th career victory with his fifth win of 2025
Strategic restarts and teammate drafting led to a dramatic late-race pass for the win
He adapted swiftly to the IMS oval despite it being his first Xfinity race there
Race featured multiple cautions and a pivotal incident between Larson and Allgaier
Sam Mayer’s push on the penultimate lap helped seal Zilisch’s winning move
Preparation and Practice Set the Tone
Zilisch’s path to victory began before the green flag dropped. Though previously experienced on the IMS road course, 2025 marked his first Xfinity start on the famed 2.5-mile oval. In rain-shortened practice, he topped the speed charts at 166.6 mph—an early statement that he had both speed and car control. His feedback revealed a deep understanding of the Speedway’s demands, especially the importance of rear stability and clean exits off Turn 2 and Turn 4.
JR Motorsports provided him with a meticulously prepared No.88 Chevrolet, benefitting from Hendrick Motorsports’ engine backing. The car excelled in both raw speed and long-run consistency, allowing Zilisch to contend even after early setbacks. His team’s focus on corner exit speed and mid-corner balance gave him an edge during tight battles and late-race restarts.
Staying Cool Through Chaos
The race wasn’t smooth for Zilisch. A sluggish early pit stop dropped him back, forcing him to work methodically through traffic. Unlike other drivers who burned tires early or got caught in three-wide mayhem, Zilisch remained measured. That restraint kept him in contention when the race unraveled in the final 25 laps.
3 in a row!!! 5th of the year. So damn cool to get @JRMotorsports 100 wins❤️👊🏼 pic.twitter.com/LsYSdTI6m3
— Connor Zilisch (@ConnorZilisch) July 27, 2025
When the race turned on its head—thanks to a collision between Justin Allgaier and Kyle Larson—it was Zilisch who reacted swiftly. Larson pushed up into Allgaier off Turn 4, sending the No.7 into the outside wall. With two major contenders suddenly out of the picture, Zilisch gained critical track position heading into the final sprint.
Late cautions set up tense restarts, and with Taylor Gray surging ahead on Lap 97, it seemed Zilisch would settle for second. But on the next lap, with help from teammate Sam Mayer, Zilisch caught the draft and launched a daring pass in Turn 2. He cleared Gray before Turn 3 and never looked back.
Teamwork and Timing Define the Finish
While Zilisch’s racecraft earned headlines, the unselfish role of Sam Mayer deserves equal praise. Mayer had a shot to race for the win but chose instead to bump-draft Zilisch, helping the No.88 clear Gray cleanly. In a sport where teammates sometimes become rivals, Mayer’s support highlighted JR Motorsports’ strong internal chemistry and trust.
That trust and communication allowed Zilisch to focus on executing the pass rather than defending. His move entering Turn 2 on the penultimate lap was both aggressive and clean—a rare combination, especially at a track with so little margin for error.
Momentum, Maturity, and the Century Mark
Zilisch’s momentum carried into Indianapolis after wins in the two prior races. Far from letting the streak rattle him, he used it to anchor his confidence. That calm showed in his pit communication, tire management, and calculated aggression—especially under caution-heavy circumstances. Rain delays and slick conditions made the track treacherous, but Zilisch adjusted his lines lap-by-lap, reporting changes to his team and keeping his car clean.
The weight of delivering JR Motorsports its 100th win was never far from mind. Dale Earnhardt Jr. had long championed Zilisch’s development, and this victory felt like the culmination of that belief. Instead of shrinking from the pressure, Zilisch thrived in it.
The blend of youthful talent, mechanical excellence, tactical mastery, and emotional control made this victory at Indianapolis more than just another win—it was a historic moment, both for Zilisch’s young career and for JR Motorsports as a whole.
News in Brief: Why Connor Zilisch Won the 2025 Xfinity Race at Indianapolis
Connor Zilisch won the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in dramatic fashion, claiming his fifth victory of the season and JR Motorsports’ 100th overall win. Despite a slow early pit stop and a late loss of the lead, Zilisch rebounded with the help of teammate Sam Mayer to retake the front spot on the penultimate lap. He expertly managed restarts, adapted to changing track conditions, and outlasted chaos that included a critical crash between Larson and Allgaier.
ALSO READ: Connor Zilisch Clinches JR Motorsports 100th Win After Wild Rainy Finish at Indianapolis
