The racing world sat up and took notice Saturday when 19-year-old Connor Zilisch dominated another NASCAR Xfinity Series race, this time at Dover Motor Speedway. What started as another impressive win for the season’s hottest rookie turned into something bigger when one of NASCAR’s biggest stars felt compelled to break down exactly why this kid is special. Connor Zilisch Earns Denny Hamlin’s Compliment After Xfinity Win at Dover Zilisch commanded the rain-shortened BetRivers 200 from his No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet, leading 77 laps before Mother Nature called the race official with 69 laps remaining. While Aric Almirola and Brandon Jones pressured him throughout the day, neither could mount a serious challenge when it mattered most. The Dover victory marked Zilisch’s fourth win of the 2025 season, extending his remarkable streak of eight consecutive top 5 finishes. That run includes three victories and three runner-up performances, a consistency level with the entire NASCAR community buzzing about his potential. What makes this latest triumph particularly noteworthy is how Zilisch has adapted to oval racing. His karting background made him a natural on road courses, where he captured two of his first three wins this season. However, Dover’s concrete surface and unique
