{"id":36668,"date":"2025-08-11T13:42:22","date_gmt":"2025-08-11T17:42:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/?p=36668"},"modified":"2025-08-11T13:42:22","modified_gmt":"2025-08-11T17:42:22","slug":"ugly-road-racing-overshadows-connor-zilischs-xfinity-series-win-at-watkins-glen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2025\/08\/11\/ugly-road-racing-overshadows-connor-zilischs-xfinity-series-win-at-watkins-glen\/","title":{"rendered":"Ugly Road Racing Overshadows Connor Zilisch’s Xfinity Series Win at Watkins Glen"},"content":{"rendered":"

The NASCAR Xfinity Series has been treated to plenty of highlight-worthy racing on the road courses in 2025. Saturday’s Mission 200 certainly looked like it was going to do so as well. The Connor Zilisch- Shane Van Gisbergen match-up was set for part three. Both had the cars and the opportunity to fight for the lead throughout the day. But some unfortunate hard racing put an end to that intriguing duel on lap 64 of the 82-lap race. That only paved the way for ugly road racing antics, which ultimately outshone Connor Zilisch scoring his seventh career win, in just his 26th career Xfinity start.<\/p>\n

Ugly Road Racing Overshadows Connor Zilisch’s Xfinity Series Win at Watkins Glen<\/h2>\n

The Connor Zilisch experience has been quite phenomenal to say the least. He now has 11-straight top-five finishes, with five wins during that stretch alone. But before he could celebrate winning, he had to fight off challenges from all kinds of competition. From van Gisbergen, to Michael McDowell, and even a freshly returned Austin Hill from a suspension. More on Hill in a moment. He didn’t help himself at the Glen, that’s for sure.<\/p>\n

\"\"
WATKINS GLEN, NEW YORK – AUGUST 09: Connor Zilisch, driver of the #88 Registix Chevrolet, celebrates with a burnout after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series Mission 200 at The Glen at Watkins Glen International on August 09, 2025 in Watkins Glen, New York. (Photo by Sean Gardner\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

JR Motorsports Came to Play<\/h3>\n

It was very clear that Watkins Glen continues to be a JR Motorsports playground. They held the lead for the first 23 laps of the race. Zilisch traded the lead with van Gisbergen before they both pitted before the finish of the opening stage. That gave their other teammate, Justin Allgaier, the lead, and he was able to hold the lead to win the opening stage. A much-needed stage win for the No. 7 team, as they have had some not-so-great runs as of late.<\/p>\n

Stage two was more of the same, as Zilisch and van Gisbergen continued to fight for the top spot. This time, Zilisch prevailed, winning the second stage, and by that point, he started to separate himself from Shane. The JR Motorsports<\/a> battle between Connor and Shane came to a real messy head on lap 64, as they were fighting to try and hold off a hard-charging Austin Hill with less than 20 laps to go in the race.<\/p>\n

A misjudgment by both drivers saw Zilisch and van Gisbergen make contact coming off of turn six into turn seven, and Shane was sent hard into the outside barrier. He hit with enough force that his car left the ground. Sending this very competitive race down quite an ugly path, the rest of the way.<\/p>\n

\n

Caution is out after Connor Zilisch makes contact with Shane van Gisbergen as they race for the lead. pic.twitter.com\/4iJQILjZL0<\/a><\/p>\n

— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) August 9, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n