The NASCAR Xfinity Series brought its brand of high-intensity racing to the Pacific Northwest, where Portland International Raceway once again delivered a race filled with speed, strategy, and plenty of drama. Connor Zilisch, the 19-year-old sensation driving the No. 88, started from pole, swept both stages, and ultimately survived late-race chaos to capture his eighth win of the 2025 season.
Zilisch showcased not only raw pace but also composure in pressure situations, turning what looked like a race slipping away in the final laps into another defining moment in his record-setting season.
Key Highlights
Connor Zilisch dominated early, winning both stages and leading 67 of the first 67 laps.
Austin Hill surged late, taking the lead on a restart with seven laps to go before chaos reshuffled the order.
Nick Sanchez charged from the rear after unapproved adjustments to secure a strong top-five finish.
Multiple cautions and off-track incidents involving Dean Thompson, Matt DiBenedetto, Anthony Alfredo, and others shook up the race.
Zilisch held off William Sawalich and Sanchez in overtime to clinch his eighth win of the year.
Connor Zilisch Sets the Tone From the Start
From the drop of the green flag, Connor Zilisch established control. The pole sitter executed a flawless launch out of the restart zone and wasted no time pulling away from Justin Allgaier and Austin Hill. What stood out was not just Zilisch’s short-run speed but his ability to maintain a relentless pace lap after lap.
Commentators compared his dominance to earlier battles with Shane van Gisbergen at Sonoma, noting that Zilisch’s consistency over long runs often left the rest of the field scrambling. By just the third lap, his lead had stretched significantly, and it became clear that if the race went green for long stretches, the No. 88 would be tough to catch.
While the frontrunners settled in, Nick Sanchez began a remarkable climb from the rear of the field. Forced to start at the back after unapproved adjustments, Sanchez methodically sliced through the pack, quickly reaching the top 20. His raw speed, even after setbacks in practice with a broken axle, signaled he would be a factor later in the race.
Stage 1: Early Battles and Mechanical Misfortune
Austin Hill became the first major challenger to Zilisch, muscling past Allgaier for second after a long pursuit. Hill’s car looked strong on longer runs, giving him confidence that Zilisch’s dominance might not be absolute.
Further back, Dean Thompson and Matt DiBenedetto both ran into trouble. Thompson overshot turn 11 and slid into the dirt, a common theme for drivers who ventured off the clean racing line. Moments later, DiBenedetto suffered a mechanical issue that ended his stage prematurely. Despite the scattered issues, Zilisch crossed the line with ease, winning Stage 1 by a commanding margin.
That opening segment reinforced the gulf between Zilisch’s No. 88 and the rest of the field. Every lap seemed like a statement that he was not only chasing stage points but also building toward the bigger prize: the regular-season championship.
Controlled Pit Stops and Stage 2 Sweep
With Cup Series pit crews stationed elsewhere, the Xfinity teams followed a controlled pit stop format at Portland. Each team had three minutes to complete service under caution, with rules preventing simultaneous fuel and tire changes. The procedure neutralized pit road advantages, favoring teams that typically struggled against powerhouse crews.
On the restart, Zilisch again managed the field with precision. Hill and Allgaier tried to close the gap, but the No. 88 remained untouchable. Rookie Carson Kvapil showed flashes of speed, and Anthony Alfredo delivered his share of aggressive moves, including a heated exchange with Jesse Love. Still, nothing could slow Zilisch’s march to another stage win, sweeping both stages with authority.
Final Stage: Cautions Reshape the Race
Just when it appeared Zilisch was on cruise control, the final stage turned chaotic. A caution with just over 10 laps remaining set up a restart that dramatically changed the race.
Austin Hill, positioned on the outside of Zilisch, timed his launch perfectly and received a strong push from Kvapil. The move vaulted Hill into the lead as Zilisch overshot turn 1, briefly surrendering his dominance. In the melee, Allgaier spun and Zilisch picked up right-rear damage, raising questions about whether his near-perfect afternoon had unraveled at the worst moment.
The chaos didn’t stop there. Sheldon Creed spun after a tire failure, Alfredo stalled on track, and a multi-car incident saw Sam Mayer, Christian Eckes, and others sliding through the grass. Even Jack Perkins, who had climbed into the top three, found himself stranded at turn 12. Each incident shuffled the order, ensuring the race would come down to restarts and nerves.
Overtime Heroics and an Eighth Victory
With the race extended into overtime, Zilisch was no longer the control car on the restart. Hill looked poised to finish the job, but when cars piled into turn 1, Zilisch threaded through the chaos and reclaimed the lead.
William Sawalich and Nick Sanchez tried to mount challenges, but the No. 88 held firm. Crossing the line, Zilisch completed a sweep of both stages and secured his eighth victory of the season. The rookie-heavy top four—Zilisch, Sawalich, Sanchez, and others—signaled a changing of the guard in the Xfinity Series.
The win also marked Zilisch’s 13th consecutive top-five finish, tying Carl Edwards for the second-longest streak in series history. His points haul further solidified his bid for the regular-season championship, a remarkable feat for a first-year driver.
News in Brief: 2025 Pacific Office Automation 147 Highlights
Connor Zilisch’s victory at Portland was more than just another addition to his win column—it was a demonstration of maturity under fire. Leading 67 laps before adversity struck, he regrouped when it mattered most, proving that his dominance isn’t only about speed but also about decision-making.
For Austin Hill, the late-race surge showed potential, though he fell just short of his first road course win. For Nick Sanchez, the comeback drive reinforced his reputation as a rising contender. And for Zilisch, the record books continue to open as he marches toward a Cup Series future that suddenly looks not only possible but inevitable.
In the Pacific Northwest, fans witnessed both chaos and brilliance. At the center of it all was Connor Zilisch, the 19-year-old phenom who seems destined to rewrite NASCAR’s future one race at a time.
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