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NASCAR Xfinity Series Fans Respond To Dale Earnhardt Jr. Directing Rookie Connor Zilisch To Pocono Raceway Win

Jeff Hawkins Written by Sports EditorJeff Hawkins
Updated –
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The NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Connor Zilisch had never seen Pocono Raceway before Saturday morning. With his crew chief suspended, the rookie leaned on co-owner Dale Earnhardt Jr., who previously never directed a race-day operation.

No worries.

Zilisch outdueled his best friend, Jesse Love, and a veteran-laden field to capture Saturday’s Explore the Pocono Mountains 250 at Pocono Raceway, his second win this season.

“Everybody on this team was amazing all week long,” Earnhardt told CW. “It was a lot of fun.”

For Zilisch, Saturday’s trip to Victory Lane marked his first win at an oval, albeit the three-turn “Tricky Triangle.”

“I’ve been dying for this,” Zilisch said. “I’ve been so close at ovals.”

Since returning from an injury sustained during a crash at Talladega, Zilisch has posted a P2 at Charlotte and Nashville and a P5 at Mexico City.

Zilisch, 18, credited the guidance of Earnhardt, who helped with a Stage 1 pit stop.

“Yea, Dale Jr., not too bad up there in the box,” Zilisch said. “It was pretty cool having him up there.”

X (Twitter) users responded that Junior was perfect as a crew chief …

Known as a road-course ace, Zilisch said: “This one’s special. I’ve been chasing an oval win for a while now” …

Junior couldn’t wait to get to Victory Lane. “I miss the thrill of competition,” Earnhardt said. “Being an owner doesn’t deliver like this” …

Dale Jr., a Hall of Famer, added another chapter to his NASCAR history …

At the start, Saturday’s command echoed throughout the 2.5-mile tri-oval track …

Going green at Pocono …

Brandon Jones’ team elected to have the driver of the No. 20 Chevrolet remain on the track for a long run. The risk paid off with a Stage 1 win …

Zilisch claimed Stage 2. With two wins, did he clinch the circuit’s rookie of the year honors …

Garrett Smithley spun out along Turn 2, signaling the first of several caution flags with more than 29 laps to go …

With Chase Elliott leading on the outside of a Lap 84 restart, Nick Sanchez crashed along Turn 1. Sheldon Creed also crashed and placed P36 …

Circuit points leader Justin Allgaier (P10) lost his groove on Lap 88, allowing Love to take command. He endured a restart, but lost the lead with three rotations remaining …

Zilisch makes the move of the race along Turn 1, sealing his third career win in 19 Xfinity outigns …

Victory Lane celebration …

Jeff Hawkins Written by Sports EditorJeff Hawkins
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He joined the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on NASCAR's increasing corporate influences, particularly in northern racetracks — commentary which you might find Jeff building on as part of the Motorsports writing team at Sportscasting now.  
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