The emotions ran high at Phoenix as Amy Earnhardt witnessed the dramatic end to the Xfinity Series, marked by Connor Zilisch’s Xfinity Title defeat after a season that had seemed destined for triumph. Amy, along with Dale Earnhardt Jr., watched as Jesse Love seized the title for Richard Childress Racing, leaving the JR Motorsports camp empty-handed after a hard-fought year.
Entering the final race, Amy and Dale Jr. had reasons to be optimistic, with JR Motorsports fielding three drivers in the Championship 4—Connor Zilisch, Justin Allgaier, and Carson Kvapil. The confidence in the garage was palpable, as their drivers had mapped out a hopeful weekend. Their anticipation, however, gave way to disappointment as Jesse Love surged past Zilisch with 24 laps to go and captured the championship.
For Amy, the sting was sharpest watching Connor Zilisch. The talented driver had racked up ten wins in thirty-two starts, overcoming both a collarbone fracture and a back injury during the season. Despite his resilience and impressive comeback, Amy was heartbroken witnessing his pain after the race. As the checkered flag waved, Zilisch sat next to his car with tears in his eyes, a picture of raw dejection. Dale Jr., co-owner of JR Motorsports, stepped in with a comforting hug, followed by other team members hoping to console him.
Amy stood back, torn by emotion. She admitted that she refrained from going to Zilisch because she knew the sight of his anguish would make her break down too. Sharing her reaction on the podcast Bless Your Hardt, Amy said,
My mind was wrapped around the fact that we were going to win. I didn’t plan for anything else. And so, when we didn’t, it was like quite a bit of a shock. But I got super sad just watching how sad the guys were. Like, all three of them were so sad. Justin is very emotional.
– Amy Earnhardt, Podcast Host
I know him better than the other two. So, I mean expected him to be, you know, tear-eyed and all that, and I walked up and gave him a hug,
– Amy Earnhardt, Podcast Host
Watching Connor cry like that truly broke my heart. And we were walking towards him, and I knew you were going to go talk to him and give him a hug. And I didn’t follow you because I almost figured I was just going to start ugly crying right there with him. I can’t help it. So, that just broke my heart. I hated that for him. He had such a good season.
– Amy Earnhardt, Podcast Host
Living Arrangements Reveal Complexity of Rivalries and Friendship
Adding to the emotional complexity was the unique relationship between Jesse Love and Connor Zilisch. Despite their on-track rivalry and the intense finale in Phoenix, they continued to share a home during championship weekend. Amy found it strange and noted the awkwardness of two title contenders choosing to stay together, given the certainty that one would be devastated while the other celebrated.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. shared Amy’s sentiments, recounting how he checked in with Zilisch on the morning after the race to see if he was still living with Love. The image of one side of their house rejoicing while the other was crestfallen highlighted the unusual camaraderie among racing peers. Zilisch mentioned that he took some time alone before preparing to head home, providing a brief moment to process the heartbreak before returning to familiar faces.
The respect between longtime friends and fellow drivers like Zilisch and Love—in spite of their fierce competition—stood out to Dale Jr. He acknowledged the unique brotherhood that forms in motorsport, where friends become rivals but also sources of support. However, he recognized that experiences like Saturday’s defeat are part of the learning curve and leave a lasting impact.
The fallout from Connor Zilisch’s Xfinity Title defeat extends beyond lap times and trophies, touching the personal bonds between drivers, teams, and their families. For Amy and Dale Earnhardt Jr., the heartbreak underscores the unpredictable and profoundly emotional nature of racing. For Zilisch, the loss may offer hard-learned lessons that shape the next chapter of his career, even as his resilience and sportsmanship remain clear to those closest to him.
