Connor Zilisch’s JR Motorsports departure marks a significant moment, as the 19-year-old racing standout prepares for his final full-time event with the team this weekend. Zilisch expressed deep appreciation for JR Motorsports, sharing heartfelt reflections before stepping into a new chapter with Trackhouse Racing in the Cup Series next season.
Zilisch Concludes an Impressive Rookie Season with JR Motorsports
On Saturday, Connor Zilisch embarks on his last full-time start for JR Motorsports (JRM), having qualified in the fourth position—a strong showing among the final four contenders. Zilisch’s rookie campaign has been nothing short of remarkable, boasting ten victories, nineteen top-5 finishes, and eight pole positions. Despite his brief tenure with the team, the young driver has made a resounding impact.
Reflecting on his journey, Zilisch remarked in a pre-race press conference,
“I feel like I’m a pretty small part of the team. I’m here for one year, you know, I did some races last year, I’m doing some races next year, so I’m going to try and stay a part of it as much as I can. I love everybody at JRM and I’ve certainly become you know, a better person because of the people there. So to be a small part of their history and you know, for them to be a big part of my journey is pretty cool.”
– Connor Zilisch, Driver
His connection to JR Motorsports continues, as Zilisch is slated to make part-time starts with the team in the following year. The promising No.88 entry will also be driven by Rajah Caruth and Carson Kvapil, further strengthening JRM’s roster amid Zilisch’s anticipated Cup Series transition.
The Championship Challenge and Debate Over Playoff Format
Amid Zilisch’s dominant season, NASCAR icon Kevin Harvick has spoken out, criticizing the current playoff system. He contends that the single-race, winner-takes-all structure diminishes the season-long achievements of consistent drivers like Connor Zilisch. Recalling a similar scenario in the 2024 season finale, Harvick highlighted how Corey Heim lost the title to Ty Majeski by just one position.
“It should not be a question who the champion is in Xfinity. So if Connor Zilisch and Corey Heim don’t win these championships, it’s exactly why we don’t need the system we have.”
– Kevin Harvick, Former NASCAR Champion
Industry discussions have surfaced about potentially modifying the championship decider to a multi-race format, with NASCAR reportedly evaluating a longer series—possibly featuring three or four final rounds instead of a single decisive event. Harvick added,
“People eat up having a bigger sample for the points because if one of those guys doesn’t win, it’s an embarrassment.”
– Kevin Harvick, Former NASCAR Champion
Zilisch Sets New Top-5 Record in Xfinity Competition
Beyond his victories and consistency, Connor Zilisch achieved a notable milestone this season by registering sixteen consecutive top-five finishes, breaking the previous record set by Sam Ard in 1983. His performance in the Xfinity Series peaked after the round of eight at Kansas Speedway, and he continued this feat for two additional races before exiting the top-20 at Talladega. This achievement highlighted his skill and resilience as a rookie competing at the highest levels of stock car racing.
As the championship race approaches, the motorsports community’s attention remains fixed on Connor Zilisch, JR Motorsports, and the evolving dialogue about NASCAR’s playoff system. Zilisch’s move to Trackhouse Racing next year adds to his profile, aligning him with prominent figures like Shane van Gisbergen and Ross Chastain. Whatever unfolds in the final race, Zilisch’s departure from JR Motorsports leaves a lasting impression on his team and the sport, signaling the emergence of a new contender in NASCAR’s future landscape.
🏆 “You’ve got one chance at it. You’ve gotta to go make the most of it.”@ConnorZilisch reflects on his superb rookie campaign with @JRMotorsports, breaking records along the way and what he’s viewing as his only shot to win the series title.
More → https://t.co/ED6AWYsft9 pic.twitter.com/M5aLjuOkT9
— SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) (@SiriusXMNASCAR) November 1, 2025
