Connor Zilisch No. 88 pit crew made history during the final race of the NASCAR Xfinity Series regular season at World Wide Technology Raceway, shocking fans with a flawless 13.96-second four-tire change as Zilisch drove to his ninth win of the year and secured the championship by a wide margin over teammate Justin Allgaier. The swift pit stop, performed by an exceptionally skilled crew from Trackhouse Racing, helped cement Zilisch’s place as the most dominant driver in the series this season.
Throughout the race weekend, the focus was not just on Zilisch’s driving ability but also on the crew that continuously set him up for success. As the 19-year-old took the pole position and controlled the pace for much of the 160-lap event, he demonstrated both speed and composure, ultimately collecting another victory and underscoring the No. 88 team’s consistent performance.
How Zilisch Outpaced the Competition for the Regular Season Title
Zilisch’s remarkable consistency and track mastery throughout the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series season set the stage for his championship–winning campaign. Amassing nine wins and leading the points by 53 over closest challenger and favorite Justin Allgaier, Zilisch’s efforts ensured that he clinched the regular season crown convincingly after his triumph at World Wide Technology Raceway.
During the crucial final regular season race, Zilisch began from pole, asserted dominance early by winning the first stage, then maintained a strong pace to finish third in the second stage and lead 121 of the 160 laps. This commanding display built a comfortable path to his ninth win, but another key moment came in the pits, where his crew executed one of the fastest and cleanest stops in recent memory.
“No. 88 pit crew showed up for the money stop.
13.96 seconds for that 4 tire change gets @ConnorZilisch out first.
All @TeamTrackhouse Cup crew members:
Front Changer: Ryan Mulder
Rear Changer: Seth Gajdorus
Jack: Josh Appleby
Tire Carrier: Charles Plank
Fueler: Milan Rudanovic pic.twitter.com/OtX6FBigSn”
— Bozi Tatarevic (@BoziTatarevic) September 7, 2025
This lightning-quick stop epitomized the operational excellence of the No. 88 team, with each member delivering in high-pressure moments that made Zilisch’s journey to victory lane seem almost routine. The team’s performance was aided by the partnership between Trackhouse Racing and JR Motorsports, giving Zilisch access to elite-level Cup Series pit crew talent.
Meet the Team: Five Key Members of the No. 88 Pit Crew
The crew behind Zilisch’s extraordinary season featured five accomplished individuals, each bringing their own path and expertise to the team. Ryan Mulder, serving as front tire changer, grew up immersed in auto racing thanks to his parents’ roles as tech officials for the United States Racing Association, and developed hands-on skills in his father’s auto shop in Sioux Center. Additionally, he contributes to the crew for Shane van Gisbergen.
Rear changer Seth Gajdorus began his motorsports journey with dirt late models as a teenager. Relocating to North Carolina in 2015 to pursue training at NASCAR Technical Institute, Gajdorus launched his professional pit crew career with Roush Fenway Racing, gaining experience in both tire changes and bodywork, and has also worked on Daniel Suarez’s No. 99 crew in the Cup Series.
Jackman Josh Appleby, recognized for his strength and quick thinking, attended the University of Louisville as a kicker and started in marketing before transitioning to an IT firm. He entered pit crew life after meeting established crew members at a gym, rapidly rising to become one of the top jackmen in the sport.
Tire carrier Charles Plank, also an alumnus of NASCAR Technical Institute, has become a notable figure in the pits, even being involved in a dramatic incident with Zane Smith at Talladega in 2023. Away from the track, he is passionate about dirt biking and regularly serves as tire carrier for Daniel Suarez as well.
Milan Rudanovic, the team’s fueler, made his way from Rutgers University, where he was a defender on the soccer team, to various jobs including working in insurance inspections and waiting tables. With a degree in labor and employment regulations, he found his calling in NASCAR, joining as a pit crew specialist through relentless determination.
What This Pit Crew’s Record Means for NASCAR’s Future
The exceptional performance by the Connor Zilisch No. 88 pit crew not only reinforced the importance of teamwork at the highest level of stock car racing but also set a new standard for speed and precision in the Xfinity Series. With Trackhouse Racing officially announcing Zilisch’s signing for a rookie Cup Series campaign in 2026, speculation now grows about whether parts of this high-performing pit crew could follow Zilisch and continue their success against new competition in NASCAR’s premier division. This record-setting stop and the crew’s diverse backgrounds underline how vital well-coordinated teamwork is to achieving championship glory in motorsports, setting the bar high for future pit crews across the series.
