Connor Zilisch Wins At Daytona … Regardless of Not Ending The Race

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Connor Zilisch was behind the wheel for 13 laps Friday night time however received the NASCAR Xfinity Sequence race whereas sitting atop the pit field.

Zilisch, who suffered a damaged collarbone in a fall from his automobile when standing on prime of it celebrating in victory lane at Watkins Glen two weeks in the past, received out of the automobile and relinquished the wheel to Parker Kligerman. 

Kligerman ended up crossing the end line first at Daytona Worldwide Speedway.

Connor Zilisch congratulates Parker Kligerman after profitable the NASCAR Xfinity Sequence race at Daytona.

As a result of the 19-year-old Zilisch began the race, he obtained credit score for the win despite the fact that Kligerman was driving on the time of the checkered flag.

“I knew it was proper [to do], however no a part of me needed to do it,” Zilisch stated about getting out of the automobile.

It was the primary time within the sequence {that a} substitute driver received a race since June 2007. The final time it occurred was when late-arriving Denny Hamlin, coming from the Cup race at Sonoma, received in a automobile began by Aric Almirola and received the race at Milwaukee.

The sensation after that race was very totally different, as Almirola had already left the monitor earlier than the tip of the race and took no half in celebrating him being credited with the win.

This one had Kligerman and Zilisch joking, with Kligerman telling Zilisch he may hold the trophy.

“That is all his,” Kligerman stated, taking a look at Zilisch. “You may hold the trophy. I simply need the checkered flag.”

Zilisch had surgical procedure on Aug. 12 the place he had a plate and greater than 10 screws inserted with a view to stabilize and assist heal the collarbone. He was cleared to race however knew it will be dangerous with him not being totally healed and having the potential for a big effect at Daytona.

Connor Zilisch seems to be on from the pit field through the Xfinity Sequence race at Daytona.

After the win, as Kligerman celebrated on the frontstretch, Zilisch sprinted to have a good time with him.

Zilisch had no worries about making the dash.

“I can run,” Zilisch stated. “I may need hassle climbing out of a automobile or one thing, however I’ve two legs, and I am 19 years outdated.

“I used to be strolling up stairs as we speak, and somebody’s like, ‘Oh, you want a hand.’ And I am like, ‘I am 19. I will be all proper.’ … I get it. I’m in all probability like Bambi. I fall. It’s a part of it.”

Zilisch is predicted to compete full time within the Cup Sequence subsequent 12 months for Trackhouse Racing. He has been on mortgage to JR Motorsports this 12 months to compete within the Xfinity Sequence as a part of his improvement. He began the race as a result of he’s in a decent battle for the common season title and the motive force who begins the race is credited with the factors.

For Zilisch, he was credited along with his seventh win of the season.

“He by no means bucked at our insisting that he wanted to get out of automobile as quickly as doable,” JR Motorsports co-owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. stated. “He by no means questioned that or needed to supply up a differing opinion.

Connor Zilisch prepares to climb into his automobile previous to the race at Daytona.

“He understands the trail ahead and the way we have to prioritize his well being over even this season. He is received an unbelievable profession in entrance of him that we’d like to verify he is prepared for.”

And what about when he noticed Zilisch go run out to see Kligerman?

“I noticed Connor method on the market. I used to be like, ‘Good lord, you’ll be able to’t hold monitor of him. He’s simply vast open,” Earnhardt stated.

It’s the wide-openness that had Zilisch in some ache getting out of the automobile. Not bodily ache.

“You get to this place and also you drive by the tunnel and also you search for [at the track] and you are like, ‘Man, I actually need to get out of this factor as we speak?’” Zilisch stated. “Actually one of many hardest issues I’ve ever needed to do in my life — behind the wheel, not behind the wheel. 

Parker Kligerman, reduction driver for Conner Zilisch celebrates profitable the Xfinity Sequence at Daytona.

“Each minute nearer to the race, I used to be like, ‘Man, perhaps I am unable to simply exit and end this race.’ However I knew it was the appropriate determination to let Parker get in and simply give myself one other week to get well.”

It was additionally the second time Zilisch has watched his automobile win. When he missed the Texas race after struggling a again harm at Talladega, substitute driver Kyle Larson received.

For Kligerman, it added one other twist to his Daytona storyline this 12 months. 

A full-time analyst on Xfinity telecasts for The CW, Kligerman received the truck race in February at Daytona. That was till his truck failed postrace tech and he was disqualified.

So Kligerman celebrated crossing the end line first once more, and no Daytona report e-book may have him profitable a race at that monitor in 2025.

“I’ve received two,” Kligerman stated. “The primary one nonetheless counts in my thoughts. … I’ve received two checkered flags now. That’s good for me.”

Bob Pockrass covers NASCAR and INDYCAR for FOX Sports activities. He has spent a long time protecting motorsports, together with over 30 Daytona 500s, with stints at ESPN, Sporting Information, NASCAR Scene journal and The (Daytona Seaside) Information-Journal. Comply with him on Twitter @bobpockrass.

Get extra from the NASCAR Xfinity Sequence Comply with your favorites to get details about video games, information and extra