Connor Zilisch NASCAR Xfinity Series wins have captured headlines, as the 19-year-old rookie stands on the brink of a historic achievement. After five victories this season and a current streak of three consecutive wins, Zilisch is poised to chase a rare fourth straight triumph at Iowa Speedway this Saturday, an accomplishment reached by only two other drivers in the series’ 43-year history.
Zilisch’s Winning Momentum Builds in NASCAR Xfinity Series
Connor Zilisch has turned heads throughout the 2024 season as he pilots the No. 88 Kampgrounds of America Chevrolet in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. With victories at COTA, Pocono, Sonoma, Dover, and Indianapolis, Zilisch’s performance places him among the most successful rookies ever. His dominant win at last week’s Pennzoil 250, held at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway, marked his third consecutive victory, solidifying his status as one of the hottest drivers in the field.
This feat puts Zilisch in an elite group, as only twelve drivers in the entire history of the NASCAR Xfinity Series have managed to win three races in a row. However, the possibility of taking a fourth straight win at the Hy-Vee Perks 250 at Iowa would put him in even more exclusive company.
Only Two Precedents: Legendary Four-Race Winning Streaks
Achieving four consecutive wins in NASCAR’s second-tier division is extremely rare. The first to do it was Sam Ard, who notched up victories at South Boston, Martinsville, Rougemont, and Charlotte back in 1983—nearly guaranteeing his championship that season. The only other occasion came nearly four decades later, when Noah Gragson pulled off a four-peat with wins at Darlington, Kansas, Bristol, and Texas in 2022. Despite Gragson’s streak, the championship format left him second overall for the season.
Now, with just three years since Gragson’s run, Zilisch pursues his own place in the NASCAR Xfinity Series record books. Given his extraordinary recent performances, many observers see no reason why the No. 88 driver can’t achieve this milestone.
Iowa: Familiar Ground and a Source of Confidence
While Saturday will mark Zilisch’s first Xfinity Series start at Iowa Speedway, the North Carolina native carries positive memories of the track. Last summer, he competed in the ARCA Menards Series at the 0.875-mile oval, where he led more than 100 laps and claimed victory. This prior success suggests he could be a formidable contender for a fourth straight trip to Victory Lane this weekend.
Impressive Consistency After Returning from Injury
On top of his recent victories, Zilisch has been remarkably consistent since returning from a back injury suffered in a last-lap crash at Talladega. Over the past nine Xfinity Series races, he has scored top-five finishes in every event, with seven of those being wins or runner-up finishes. Streaks of this caliber are rarely seen, particularly from a rookie driver in such a competitive racing environment.
A Glimpse Ahead: Zilisch’s Future Career Path
As Zilisch’s star continues to rise, speculation grows that he may soon move up to the NASCAR Cup Series, especially in the wake of Trackhouse Racing and Daniel Suarez announcing their split at the end of the current season. Zilisch, already the youngest driver in series history to notch six victories, is widely seen as one of NASCAR’s most talented emerging prospects.
No matter how Saturday’s race unfolds at Iowa, this season has already established Zilisch as a standout rookie. Yet, another victory would carve his name into the record books once more, highlighting a career on the verge of another breakthrough and further cementing his legacy as his journey in professional motorsports continues.
