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Connor Zilisch triumphs in Pocono: First victory under Earnhardt Jr.!
Connor Zilisch secures his first oval victory at Pocono Raceway, supported by Dale Earnhardt Jr. on June 22, 2025.
Connor Zilisch triumphs in Pocono: First victory under Earnhardt Jr.!
June 22, 2025 will be remembered as an exciting day in NASCAR history. At the Explore the Pocono Mountains 250 at Pocono Raceway, 18-year-old Connor Zilisch left everyone behind and celebrated his first oval victory - a moment he had been working towards for a long time. Zilisch, who recently returned from his first season in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in Austin, Texas, demonstrated his skills and secured the checkered flag with a spectacular overtaking maneuver ahead of Jesse Love just before the finish. US Racing reports, that the victory was aided by strategic racing tactics and the sharp advice of his new crew chief, Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Tensions were high during the race. Zilisch, who was joined by Dale Earnhardt Jr., one of NASCAR's most recognizable faces and now rookie crew chief at JR Motorsports, put in an impressive performance throughout the 100 laps. He led the field for 34 laps, demonstrating his skills on the circular track known for its mix of speed and technique. Most notably, Earnhardt Jr. is the ninth person in NASCAR history to celebrate a victory as a driver, owner and crew chief, underscoring the significance of the day. Motorsport.com explains how important this victory is for Zilisch in his young career.
Race results and further placings
However, the race was not without its challenges. Chase Elliott, who started the race in pole position, led up to 38 laps before being overtaken by Justin Allgaier in the crucial phase of the race. Ultimately, Elliott finished in a solid fourth place. Christian Eckes secured his best career result with third place, while Ryan Sieg took fifth place. Here are the top ten of the race:
| Place | driver |
|---|---|
| 1 | Connor Zilisch |
| 2 | Jesse Love |
| 3 | Christian Eckes |
| 4 | Chase Elliott |
| 5 | Ryan Victory |
| 6 | Carson Kvapil |
| 7 | Sam Mayer |
| 8 | Sammy Smith |
| 9 | Taylor Grey |
| 10 | Justin Allgaier |
Looking to the future
With this win, Zilisch is now on the rise with two wins this season. His next target is the upcoming event at EchoPark Speedway, where he will certainly want to deal another blow to the competition. The teams and drivers are also preparing for the challenges that the varied terrain of the Nascar courses brings with it. Frcs.pro gives an overview of the different types of routes that Zilisch and his colleagues can expect.
The bottom line is that this win not only shows Connor Zilisch's potential, but also the strong teamwork and strategy that is crucial in motorsport. A big compliment to Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his team for the skill they have shown in achieving this success!