Rookie sensation Connor Zilisch has been rewriting the script of the NASCAR Xfinity Series all season long. On Saturday at Portland International Raceway, he added yet another chapter, winning his eighth race of 2025 just two weeks after undergoing collarbone surgery.
The 19-year-old, who has quickly become one of the sport’s brightest young stars, admitted the victory didn’t come easy.
The race turned chaotic in the closing laps, capped by a dramatic final restart where Zilisch cut the track to maintain position. He later described the move as a “last resort,” but one that ultimately sealed the win.
“I guess cut the track. I don’t know,” Zilisch said with a grin in Victory Lane. “I’m so proud of this WeatherTech Chevrolet team. I think this is our fourth win with WeatherTech on the car, and it’s got a W on the hood, so no better thing to do than win with it. To come back two weeks after collarbone surgery, it hurt, but it hurts so good.”
Zilisch’s Season of Grit and Breakthrough Moments
The triumph is part of a remarkable rookie campaign for Zilisch, who burst onto the scene earlier this year with a debut win at Watkins Glen. Since then, he’s racked up victories across a variety of tracks, displaying both versatility and maturity well beyond his years.
That maturity was on display during the restart chaos at Portland. Zilisch admitted that once he lost control in the corner, his instincts took over.
“As soon as I hit the brakes, I wheel hopped and knew I wasn’t going to make the corner,” he explained. “I just committed to it. Last resort, you gotta do what you gotta do.”
This season hasn’t been without setbacks. His collarbone injury heading into Daytona forced him to temporarily step aside, handing the car over to Parker Kligerman. In a feel-good twist, Kligerman captured his first Xfinity Series win in 122 starts while filling in.
“This was different in every way,” Kligerman said afterward. “I didn’t expect to get a call from Dale Jr. I was leaving for vacation when they asked me to drive. To finally get that win was just unbelievable.”
A Cup Series Future Secured with Trackhouse
But make no mistake, this year has been Zilisch’s stage. His dominance hasn’t just caught the attention of fans, but also of NASCAR executives and team owners.
On August 23, at Daytona International Speedway, Trackhouse Racing confirmed that Zilisch will replace Daniel Suárez in the Cup Series beginning in 2026.
Team co-owner Justin Marks praised the teenager’s ability to perform under pressure.
“It’s the level of maturity, the approach, the ability to deliver in big moments,” Marks said. “When people ask me, ‘How do I get noticed in racing?’ my answer is simple: you have to win. Connor’s done that every time he’s gotten in a car.”
For Zilisch, the promotion represents progress, but not the destination.
“I still haven’t made it to where I want to be,” he said. “This is the start. The Cup Series is no joke. That jump from Saturday to Sunday is probably bigger than any other in American sports. But I’m excited for the challenge and to give my best every week.”
With eight wins already in the bag and a Cup Series future secured, Zilisch’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric. And if Saturday proved anything, it’s that pain, or even surgery, can’t slow him down.
Connor Zilisch Scores Eighth Xfinity Win Despite Recent Surgery