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 but won the NASCAR Xfinity Series race while sitting atop the pit box.

Zilisch, who suffered a broken collarbone in a fall from his car when standing on top of it celebrating in victory lane at Watkins Glen two weeks ago, got out of the car and relinquished the wheel to Parker Kligerman. 

Kligerman ended up crossing the finish line first at Daytona International Speedway.

Because the 19-year-old Zilisch started the race, he received credit for the win even though Kligerman was driving at the time of the checkered flag.

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

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

The sensation after that race was very completely different, as Almirola had already left the observe 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 preserve the trophy.

“That is all his,” Kligerman stated, Zilisch. “You possibly can preserve 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 to be able to stabilize and assist heal the collarbone. He was cleared to race however knew it could be dangerous with him not being absolutely healed and having the potential for a huge impact at Daytona.

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

Zilisch had no worries about making the dash.

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

“I used to be strolling up stairs right this moment, 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 yr for Trackhouse Racing. He has been on mortgage to JR Motorsports this yr to compete within the Xfinity Sequence as a part of his improvement. He began the race as a result of he’s in a good battle for the common season title and the driving 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 automotive as quickly as attainable,” JR Motorsports co-owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. stated. “He by no means questioned that or needed to supply up a differing opinion.

“He understands the trail ahead and the way we have to prioritize his well being over even this season. He is bought an unimaginable 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 means on the market. I used to be like, ‘Good lord, you may’t preserve observe of him. He’s simply large open,” Earnhardt stated.

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

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

“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 proper choice to let Parker get in and simply give myself one other week to get better.”

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

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

A full-time analyst on Xfinity telecasts for The CW, Kligerman gained 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 document guide could have him successful a race at that observe in 2025.

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

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

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