Connor Zilisch, after a standout 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series campaign, drew headlines not just for his driving, but for his surprising off-track earnings. The young driver’s unique cash windfall, also known as the “Connor Zilisch NASCAR earnings,” came from a sponsorship incentive that added tens of thousands to his season total.
Zilisch’s Remarkable Season Overshadowed by Unusual Payday
Despite Jesse Love clinching the Xfinity Series championship at Phoenix, much attention remained fixed on Connor Zilisch, who repeatedly rewrote the record books this year. Although he was favored for the title, a series of misfortunes left him just short, making his campaign both remarkable and bittersweet.
Looking ahead, Zilisch is preparing to step up to the NASCAR Cup Series, where he’ll fill the seat vacated by Daniel Suarez at Trackhouse Racing. Even though the championship slipped from his grasp, the JR Motorsports talent managed to secure a significant bonus from his 2025 performance, mostly due to a unique promotional element built into the Xfinity Series event weekends.
How a Repeated Phrase Turned into a Windfall
During the year, Zilisch achieved 10 race victories and finished in the top five 20 times, one of the most dominant runs recorded for a single Xfinity season. However, the title ultimately went to his best friend Jesse Love, leaving Zilisch to reflect on a string of wins overshadowed by a narrow title defeat.
Beyond trophies, an insider detail emerged about the Xfinity Series sponsorship structure that boosted drivers’ earnings: every time a driver said “as fast as Xfinity Mobile” over the course of a race weekend, they received a $600 bonus. Parker Kligerman, a NASCAR insider, explained that the incentive ramped up to $1,000 when spoken in victory lane after a win.
Given Zilisch’s 10 race victories, where he was eligible for the higher payment per utterance, his total from these moments alone reached $10,000. But the impact of the program extended further. Steven Taranto detailed that Zilisch used the phrase a total of 63 times during the season, averaging more than once per weekend, and often outside of victory lane. Multiplying each non-victory lane mention by the base rate adds even more to his overall fee under the program.
These careful calculations resulted in Zilisch receiving approximately $41,800 from the sponsor incentive, transforming a small in-race remark into a major component of his annual NASCAR earnings.
A Memorable Campaign with a Bittersweet Ending
While the financial windfall does provide a positive note for Zilisch, it does not mitigate the sting of finishing as the most victorious driver in series history for a single campaign but missing out on the ultimate prize. He maintained strong momentum throughout the regular season, only to encounter decisive setbacks during the final trio of races.
This singular campaign—marked by dominance, heartbreak, and an unconventional payday—may be remembered as one of the most dramatic in recent Xfinity Series history. The disappointment Zilisch experienced could influence broader conversations and possibly spur changes to the current NASCAR playoff format, hinting at transformations in the sport’s championship approach in the seasons ahead.
On his IG, @pkligerman revealed saying something is “as fast as XFinity internet” pays $600 per mention.
Seems like it’s been a fun program for the drivers.
Good run, @XfinityRacing
— Alan Cavanna (@AlanCavanna) November 2, 2025
Connor Zilisch said in that last "As Fast As Xfinity Mobile" spot he's said it 63 times this season.
Quick bit of math says he's made about $37,800 saying "As Fast As Xfinity Mobile" this season. https://t.co/rEGCbIzgad
— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) November 2, 2025
