Connor Zilisch Xfinity Series wins reached a milestone as he secured his tenth victory of the 2025 season at the Charlotte Roval in Concord, North Carolina, becoming only the second driver in a NASCAR national series to hit double-digit wins in 2025. The high-stakes race unfolded on Saturday, where Zilisch started from the pole and dominated much of the event, showcasing his remarkable consistency and pace.
Zilisch’s Ten-Win Milestone at Charlotte Roval
Zilisch’s performance at the Charlotte Roval not only highlighted his season-long dominance but also added him to the exclusive list of drivers with at least ten wins in a single national NASCAR series this year, just a day after Corey Heim reached the same mark in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Zilisch, representing the new generation of drivers, demonstrated commanding control, leading three separate times for a total of 61 out of 68 laps without anyone passing him head-to-head after the initial green flag. Jesse Love was the only other competitor to lead more than one lap during the race, totaling four laps at the front.
Podium and Noteworthy Finishers
Austin Green powered the joint Jordan Anderson Racing/Peterson Racing Group entry to a hard-fought second-place finish, marking a significant achievement for the team. Green said,
“Our long run pace was really good and I don’t know if my early pace wasn’t as good or if it was tire falloff, but I’d let ’em go and get ’em back,”
Austin Green, Driver. He also added,
“Can’t thank these guys for a dream of a race and hopefully a good long career. I look at this as a win, Connor is class of the field,”
Austin Green, Driver.
Sammy Smith claimed third place, securing his advancement in the playoffs thanks to a calculated decision from his crew chief, Philip Bell, which led to Taylor Gray’s elimination. Kaz Grala delivered a standout drive for Sam Hunt Racing, finishing fourth despite serving a pit road penalty—his first top-five in the Xfinity Series since the 2023 Charlotte Roval event, and in only his eighth start since then.
Incidents and Stage Breakdown
The race was punctuated by six cautions, including a dramatic final lap yellow due to oil on the track, as reported by NASCAR. Early in the contest, Harrison Burton encountered trouble and stopped on lap 16, leading to the conclusion of stage one at lap 20. Zilisch took the stage one honors, followed by Jesse Love, Justin Allgaier, Sammy Smith, and Carson Kvapil in the top five.
At the onset of stage two, Josh Williams stopped on track, prompting another caution. Jesse Love captured the stage two win, with Smith, Austin Hill, Sheldon Creed, and Kvapil rounding out the front positions. The top ten for stage two also included Sam Mayer, Alex Labbe, Josh Bilicki, Sage Karam, and Zilisch.
The final segment was comparatively smooth until lap 65, when Sage Karam crashed, setting up an overtime finish. Notable non-playoff drivers finishing in the top ten included Jeb Burton (sixth), William Sawalich (seventh), and Christian Eckes (tenth).
The Road Ahead for Drivers and Teams
This victory by Zilisch further cements his reputation among NASCAR’s top drivers and has significant implications for upcoming playoff rounds. With the next race scheduled for Las Vegas Motor Speedway, competitors such as Sammy Smith and Austin Hill will aim to capitalize on their momentum as the Xfinity Series battle intensifies.
Fans can look forward to another thrilling contest as teams head to Las Vegas, where drivers like Zilisch, Smith, and Love will continue to chase championship glory. The race is set for 7:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast across multiple networks, ensuring high anticipation for the next chapter in the NASCAR Xfinity Series season.
