Connor Zilisch Xfinity Series record was rewritten on Saturday at Kansas Speedway, where he finished second in the Kansas Lottery 300 and punched his ticket to the Round of 8 in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs. Zilisch broke the long-standing streak of top-five finishes, setting a new all-time record with his sixteenth consecutive top-five performance—a mark that surpassed Sam Ard’s 1983 tally of fifteen.
Strong Performance Despite Mid-Race Challenges
Piloting the Carolina Carports Chevrolet, Zilisch started the race in seventh position and quickly demonstrated his pace despite facing difficulties with the car’s handling. He battled a tight condition during Stage One, managing to secure fourth at the segment’s end. After pit crew chief Mardy Lindley called for adjustments during the lap 49 stage caution, Zilisch restarted Stage Two from third. He continued to face challenges in balancing the car, but once again completed the stage in fourth place.
Pit Crew Excellence Secures Critical Track Position
During the next stage break, efficient work by the Carolina Carports pit crew enabled Zilisch to leave pit road in second, right behind the leader. On the restart, Zilisch capitalized on his track position, immediately overtaking the front runner and leading for thirty-nine consecutive laps.
Late Pit Stop and Final Battle for the Win
As the race entered its final stages, Zilisch made a crucial pit stop on lap 145 for fuel and fresh tires. He returned to the track in second place, narrowly trailing Brandon Jones, following the day’s last caution. With thirty-eight laps to the finish, he mounted several attempts to reclaim the lead but ultimately came up just short, finishing runner-up at the checkered flag.
Driver Reflects on Record and Playoff Progression
Following the race, Zilisch expressed his appreciation for his team’s performance and looked ahead to the next playoff round at the Roval road course:
“Hats off to the entire Carolina Carports Chevrolet team. My pit crew did an awesome job. We did a solid job executing all day long and were able to come away with a second-place finish. We’ll look back at it and see if we could have done anything better, but it’s cool to not only have the record for most-top fives but to now lock our way into the next round of the playoffs. It’s so nice to not have to worry about points next week. I’m excited to go to the Roval next week. We’ve been really good on road course so far this year, but anything can happen.”
— JR Motorsports —
Historic Feat and Outlook for the Playoff Run
Zilisch’s achievement at Kansas Speedway cements his status as a rising star in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, breaking a decades-old record held by Sam Ard. With this result, Zilisch, his pit crew, and the entire team at JR Motorsports and Carolina Carports Chevrolet have eliminated pressure for the next playoff race and stand poised to continue their momentum. As anticipation builds for the Roval, Zilisch’s pursuit of playoff success and continued top-five runs will be closely watched by fans and competitors alike.
