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Connor Zilisch Wins Rain-Shortened NASCAR Xfinity Series Race At Dover Motor Speedway

by Hunter Thomas July 19, 2025 1 comment

DOVER, Del. – Connor Zilisch captured his fourth-career NASCAR Xfinity Series victory in the rain-shortened BetRivers 200 at Dover Motor Speedway on Saturday.

Zilisch had the dominate car as he led a race high of 77 laps the JR Motorsports No. 88 Carolina Carports Chevrolet. He led the final 36 laps and when the rain came, the 18-year-old rookie driver was leading the way. The race was called on Lap 134.

“I’ve always hated the term Road Course Ringer,” Zilisch said. “I don’t want to be a ringer. I want to be a guy who can show up anywhere and win and you know, I’m doing my best to try and prove that, but still, I have a long way to go with my learning process. Even just from February to today, I’m a completely different driver. You know, personally, I don’t feel like it; clearly the results are showing it, and I just feel way more comfortable.”

Aric Almirola finished second in the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 19 Young Life Toyota. While he didn’t lead a lap, Almirola finished second in both Stage 1 and Stage 2. He had a strong car in only his eighth race of the season.

“It is fun to get back in the race car and compete,” Almirola said. “I felt really good about my car; I thought our Young Life Toyota GR Supra just needed clean air. Such a good car and felt like we were able to match Connor (Zilisch) on lap times for a while, and the longer it went, we were certainly better than he was and better in traffic than he was. Very disappointed that we didn’t get to finish that one.”

Finishing third was Joe Gibbs Racing’s Brandon Jones in the No. 20 Menards/Schultz Toyota. Jones finished third in all stages as he ran up front all race long. The effort marks Jones’ first top-five finish since Bristol back in April.

“We were close in our no. 20 Menards, Schultz Toyota GR Supra,” Jones said. “Clean air was big. I wanted to get in the lead and had a couple of shots at it. It was a difficult track to pass. It did move around some, and we had to use the third lane today, but hard to get a run on people. I’m really proud of my guys. We didn’t have any slip ups all day today. We were really solid on pit road and made up a lot of ground.”

Justin Allgaier and Jesse Love completed the top-five. Rounding out the top-10 was Ryan Sieg, polesitter Taylor Gray, Sheldon Creed, William Sawalich and Christian Eckes.

Gray won Stage 1, and Zilisch won Stage 2.

The only cautions of the day were for the completion of stages and of course, rain.

The NASCAR Xfinity Series will race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Pennzoil 250 on Saturday, July 26. Live coverage will broadcast on the CW at 4:30 p.m. ET.

Photo Credit: Mitchell Richtmyre/TheFourthTurn.com