Connor Zilisch, a standout NASCAR Xfinity Series rookie for JR Motorsports, encountered a major Connor Zilisch Martinsville setback after a crash during practice at Martinsville Speedway, forcing him to start Saturday night’s Round of 8 elimination race from the rear of the field. Despite this adversity, Zilisch retains his place in the Championship 4 based on points, offering some relief as the high-stakes weekend begins.
Zilisch’s Practice Crash Forces Team to Miss Qualifying
During practice for the IAA and Ritchie Bros. 250 at Martinsville, Zilisch spun in Turn 1 and his No. 88 Toyota slammed into the outside wall, causing significant left-front damage. The incident was serious enough that the team needed to bring the car behind the wall for immediate repairs, eliminating any chance to participate in qualifying. As a result, Zilisch will start the crucial race at the back of the pack.
“Zilisch car has gone behind the wall for repairs — so that means he can’t post a qualifying lap. He will start at the rear,”
Pockrass wrote on X
— Bob Pockrass, Fox Sports Reporter
Photos from Steven Taranto, a NASCAR reporter, documented Zilisch’s spin and the subsequent inspection of the damaged No. 88 by his JR Motorsports crew. The setback at Martinsville comes at a critical time as drivers fight for a spot in the season’s Championship round.
Season successes offset fresh adversity
Zilisch has amassed 10 wins and 19 top-10 finishes in his first full-time Xfinity campaign, making an immediate impact and sitting atop the points standings. His teammate and defending champion, Justin Allgaier, occupies second place ahead of Saturday’s elimination event. Both drivers from JR Motorsports have already secured their spots in the Championship 4, underscoring the team’s strength this season.
Other contenders include Jesse Love and Carson Kvapil, who have clinched the final two available Championship round berths. Meanwhile, drivers such as Brandon Jones, Sam Mayer, and Sheldon Creed enter the Martinsville weekend facing pressure below the playoff cutline—currently held by Sammy Smith, who sits 11 points adrift of contention.
Martinsville proves a recurring challenge for Zilisch
This is not the first time Zilisch has struggled at Martinsville. Earlier in the season, he started on pole for the US Marine Corps 250 with an impressive qualifying effort. He led the field for the first two stages but spun during aggressive restart maneuvers and contacted the outside wall, ultimately finishing 28th after 256 laps. Despite his dominant early run, the incident ended his hopes for victory, with Austin Hill emerging as the winner following a chaotic last lap.
Recent setbacks extend beyond Martinsville
Martinsville is not the only track where Zilisch has faced adversity. At Talladega Superspeedway four weeks after his spring Martinsville incident, he experienced another setback with a finish outside the top 25. Before and after Talladega, he delivered a string of top-5 finishes, which lasted until his streak ended at the 2.66-mile oval, when a late-race blown tire dashed his hopes once more.
Zilisch also faced personal adversity in August, suffering a broken collarbone while celebrating a Watkins Glen victory in an off-track incident. Despite these challenges, his consistent performance has helped keep him at the top of the standings as the playoffs progress.
Championship hopes remain strong despite challenges
As Zilisch prepares to start from the back at Martinsville, the focus shifts to whether he can recover and capitalize on his already secured Championship 4 position. The short track‘s demanding nature and history of upsets means that even the fastest drivers can be caught out, putting additional emphasis on strategy and resilience. Fans and insiders alike will be watching to see if Zilisch’s remarkable rookie season continues to defy expectations or if Martinsville’s unforgiving circuit hands out another twist in the playoff drama.
With the final race before the Championship round looming, Zilisch’s journey through setbacks and successes exemplifies the unpredictability and intensity of NASCAR’s Xfinity Series. As other key names—such as Jesse Love, Carson Kvapil, Justin Allgaier, and Sammy Smith—vie for position, all eyes remain on Martinsville for the next chapter in the quest for the title.
There is, indeed, considerable damage to the left front of Connor Zilisch's car
Zilisch is out and looking it over with his crew https://t.co/xIaW2fhdlL pic.twitter.com/ELUS0Ll33b
— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) October 25, 2025
