Zilisch Wins Watkins Glen Pole

Getty Images

WATKINS GLEN, NY – Connor Zilisch was fastest in qualifying for Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race.  Zilisch, piloting the No. 88 Chevrolet for JR Motorsports that he is slated to drive full time for the 2025 season, qualified with a speed of 124.176 mph on Saturday morning. Zilisch dominated the ARCA race Friday afternoon at Watkins Glen, topping the field in practice and qualifying, then dominating the race in a near-perfect day at the track.

Ty Gibbs in Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 19 Toyota will join Zilisch on the front row, clocking in with a 123.927-mph lap. Gibbs will make his sixth Xfinity start of the season.

AJ Allmendinger was quick enough to slot his Kaulig Racing Chevrolet third, and points leader Justin Allgaier qualified fourth for JRM. Sam Mayer was the third and final JRM driver in the top five.

Chandler Smith, William Byron, Aric Almirola, Sheldon Creed and Austin Hill rounded out the top 10. Riley Herbst was fastest amongst Ford drivers, qualifying 12th.Kaulig’s Josh Williams incurred bumper damage during practice and did not attempt a qualifying lap.

Practice: Mission 200 at the Glen, Watkins Glen International
Pos, Driver, Car, Time, Speed, Lap #, # Laps, -Fastest, -Next
1) Connor Zilisch, No. 88 Carolina Carports Chevrolet, 1:12.069, 122.383 mph, 3, 12, ---.---, ---.---
2) Ty Gibbs(i), No. 19 Starkey Toyota, 1:12.383, 121.852, 3, 13, -0.314 sec, -0.314 sec
3) AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Celsius Chevrolet, 1:12.471, 121.704, 4, 10, -0.402, -0.088
4) Parker Kligerman, No. 48 Borchetta Bourbon Chevrolet, 1:12.479, 121.690, 3, 10, -0.410, -0.008
5) Justin Allgaier, No. 7 BRANDT Chevrolet, 1:12.578, 121.524, 4, 15, -0.509, -0.099
6) Cole Custer, No. 00 HighPoint.com Ford, 1:12.702, 121.317, 6, 11, -0.633, -0.124
7) William Byron(i), No. 17 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, 1:12.763, 121.215, 4, 13, -0.694, -0.061
8) Shane Van Gisbergen #, No. 97 WeatherTech Chevrolet, 1:12.776, 121.194, 2, 10, -0.707, -0.013
9) Sam Mayer, No. 1 10X Health Chevrolet, 1:12.823, 121.116, 4, 9, -0.754, -0.047
10) Austin Hill, No. 21 Global Industrial Chevrolet, 1:12.883, 121.016, 4, 13, -0.814, -0.060
11) Sheldon Creed, No. 18 Friends of Jaclyn Foundation Toyota, 1:12.892, 121.001, 5, 13, -0.823, -0.009
12) Ross Chastain(i), No. 92 Protect Your Melon Chevrolet, 1:12.993, 120.834, 2, 8, -0.924, -0.101
13) Riley Herbst, No. 98 Monster Energy Ford, 1:13.032, 120.769, 6, 10, -0.963, -0.039
14) Jesse Love #, No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet, 1:13.036, 120.762, 3, 12, -0.967, -0.004
15) Chandler Smith, No. 81 Smith General Contracting Toyota, 1:13.165, 120.549, 4, 14, -1.096, -0.129
16) Ryan Sieg, No. 39 Sci Aps Ford, 1:13.277, 120.365, 5, 12, -1.208, -0.112
17) Sammy Smith, No. 8 Pilot Flying J Chevrolet, 1:13.353, 120.240, 3, 11, -1.284, -0.076
18) Matt DiBenedetto, No. 38 ReMA Ford, 1:13.380, 120.196, 5, 11, -1.311, -0.027
19) Aric Almirola, No. 20 Go Bowling Toyota, 1:13.414, 120.141, 9, 15, -1.345, -0.034
20) Brandon Jones, No. 9 Menards/Pelonis Chevrolet, 1:13.424, 120.124, 4, 14, -1.355, -0.010
21) Jeremy Clements, No. 51 ASE/Nordic Logistics Chevrolet, 1:13.456, 120.072, 4, 10, -1.387, -0.032
22) Austin Green, No. 32 3Dimensional.com Chevrolet, 1:13.530, 119.951, 7, 12, -1.461, -0.074
23) Josh Bilicki, No. 91 Chemung Supply Corporation Chevrolet, 1:13.583, 119.865, 3, 10, -1.514, -0.053
24) Mike Skeen, No. 87 Navy Seal Foundation Chevrolet, 1:13.650, 119.756, 6, 15, -1.581, -0.067
25) Alon Day, No. 45 JSSI Chevrolet, 1:13.660, 119.739, 6, 11, -1.591, -0.010
26) Brennan Poole, No. 44 Frontline Fire Protection Chevrolet, 1:13.705, 119.666, 5, 10, -1.636, -0.045
27) RC Enerson, No. 14 Lucas Oil School of Racing Chevrolet, 1:13.912, 119.331, 5, 11, -1.843, -0.207
28) Ed Jones, No. 26 Toyota Genuine Parts Toyota, 1:13.995, 119.197, 4, 6, -1.926, -0.083
29) Anthony Alfredo, No. 5 Ferguson Chevrolet, 1:14.124, 118.990, 4, 11, -2.055, -0.129
30) Jade Buford, No. 07 Frog Alley Brewing Chevrolet, 1:14.130, 118.980, 5, 12, -2.061, -0.006
31) Kyle Weatherman, No. 36 DriveSmartWarranty.com Chevrolet, 1:14.183, 118.895, 7, 8, -2.114, -0.053
32) Parker Retzlaff, No. 31 FUNKAWAY Chevrolet, 1:14.290, 118.724, 10, 10, -2.221, -0.107
33) Leland Honeyman #, No. 42 Excite Motorsports Chevrolet, 1:14.340, 118.644, 6, 12, -2.271, -0.050
34) Thomas Annunziata, No. 35 NFPA Toyota, 1:14.344, 118.638, 9, 11, -2.275, -0.004
35) Blaine Perkins, No. 29 AutoParkit.com Ford, 1:14.453, 118.464, 3, 9, -2.384, -0.109
36) Josh Williams, No. 11 Alloy Employer Services Chevrolet, 1:14.497, 118.394, 3, 10, -2.428, -0.044
37) Ryan Ellis, No. 43 Rich Mar/Laughlin Family Foundation Chevrolet, 1:14.742, 118.006, 8, 12, -2.673, -0.245
38) Kyle Keller, No. 13 MBM Motorsports Ford, 1:14.867, 117.809, 9, 9, -2.798, -0.125
39) Kyle Sieg, No. 28 Lotze Ford, 75.032, 117.550, 9, 13, -2.963, -0.165
40) Joey Logano(i), No. 15 Panini Ford, 75.156, 117.356, 1, 4, -3.087, -0.124
41) Jeb Burton, No. 27 Heartbeat Hot Sauce/Norma Chevrolet, ----, ---, , , ----, ----

Best 10 Consecutive Lap Average
Pos, Driver, Car, From Lap, To Lap, Avg Speed
1) Connor Zilisch, No. 88 Carolina Carports Chevrolet, 2, 11, 120.510 mph
2) Justin Allgaier, No. 7 BRANDT Chevrolet, 2, 11, 120.400
3) Ty Gibbs(i), No. 19 Starkey Toyota, 1, 10, 120.374
4) Cole Custer, No. 00 HighPoint.com Ford, 1, 10, 120.083
5) William Byron(i), No. 17 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, 3, 12, 120.011
6) Sheldon Creed, No. 18 Friends of Jaclyn Foundation Toyota, 2, 11, 119.958
7) Austin Hill, No. 21 Global Industrial Chevrolet, 1, 10, 119.857
8) Mike Skeen, No. 87 Navy Seal Foundation Chevrolet, 3, 12, 119.272
9) Sammy Smith, No. 8 Pilot Flying J Chevrolet, 2, 11, 118.965
10) Aric Almirola, No. 20 Go Bowling Toyota, 2, 11, 118.876
11) Ryan Sieg, No. 39 Sci Aps Ford, 1, 10, 118.825
12) Matt DiBenedetto, No. 38 ReMA Ford, 2, 11, 118.781
13) Brandon Jones, No. 9 Menards/Pelonis Chevrolet, 4, 13, 118.609
14) Anthony Alfredo, No. 5 Ferguson Chevrolet, 2, 11, 118.001
15) Kyle Sieg, No. 28 Lotze Ford, 4, 13, 116.370
Must run 10 consecutive laps on the track.

Qualifying: Mission 200 at the Glen, Watkins Glen International
Round: 1A
Pos, Driver, Car, Time, Speed, Lap #, # Laps, -Fastest, -Next
1) Connor Zilisch, No. 88 Carolina Carports Chevrolet, 1:11.364, 123.592 mph, 1, 1, ---, ---
2) AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Celsius Chevrolet, 1:11.418, 123.498, 1, 1, 0.054 sec, 0.054 sec
3) Ty Gibbs(i), No. 19 Starkey Toyota, 1:11.473, 123.403, 1, 1, 0.109, 0.055
4) Sam Mayer, No. 1 10X Health Chevrolet, 1:11.517, 123.327, 1, 3, 0.153, 0.044
5) Sheldon Creed, No. 18 Friends of Jaclyn Foundation Toyota, 1:11.762, 122.906, 1, 3, 0.398, 0.245
6) Shane Van Gisbergen #, No. 97 WeatherTech Chevrolet, 1:11.847, 122.761, 1, 3, 0.483, 0.085
7) Cole Custer, No. 00 HighPoint.com Ford, 1:11.979, 122.536, 3, 5, 0.615, 0.132
8) Sammy Smith, No. 8 Pilot Flying J Chevrolet, 1:12.130, 122.279, 3, 3, 0.766, 0.151
9) Parker Kligerman, No. 48 Borchetta Bourbon Chevrolet, 1:12.201, 122.159, 1, 4, 0.837, 0.071
10) Matt DiBenedetto, No. 38 ReMA Ford, 1:12.325, 121.950, 1, 2, 0.961, 0.124
11) Alon Day, No. 45 JSSI Chevrolet, 1:12.568, 121.541, 4, 4, 1.204, 0.243
12) Austin Green, No. 32 3Dimensional.com Chevrolet, 1:12.717, 121.292, 3, 7, 1.353, 0.149
13) Brennan Poole, No. 44 Frontline Fire Protection Chevrolet, 1:13.028, 120.776, 2, 2, 1.664, 0.311
14) Leland Honeyman #, No. 42 Excite Motorsports Chevrolet, 1:13.177, 120.530, 1, 4, 1.813, 0.149
15) Joey Logano(i), No. 15 Panini Ford, 1:13.183, 120.520, 4, 6, 1.819, 0.006
16) Blaine Perkins, No. 29 AutoParkit.com Ford, 1:13.344, 120.255, 4, 5, 1.980, 0.161
17) Kyle Sieg, No. 28 Lotze Ford, 1:13.434, 120.108, 3, 6, 2.070, 0.090
18) Kyle Keller, No. 13 MBM Motorsports Ford, 1:14.291, 118.722, 7, 7, 2.927, 0.857
19) Ed Jones, No. 26 Toyota Genuine Parts Toyota, ---, ---, 0, 0, -----, -----
20) Josh Williams, No. 11 Alloy Employer Services Chevrolet, ---, ---, 0, 0, -----, -----

Round: 1B
1) Justin Allgaier, No. 7 BRANDT Chevrolet, 1:11.039, 124.157 mph, 1, 1, ---, ---
2) William Byron(i), No. 17 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, 1:11.630, 123.133, 3, 3, 0.591 sec, 0.591 sec
3) Aric Almirola, No. 20 Go Bowling Toyota, 1:11.714, 122.989, 3, 3, 0.675, 0.084
4) Chandler Smith, No. 81 Smith General Contracting Toyota, 1:11.732, 122.958, 1, 1, 0.693, 0.018
5) Austin Hill, No. 21 Global Industrial Chevrolet, 1:11.736, 122.951, 3, 3, 0.697, 0.004
6) Jesse Love #, No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet, 1:11.782, 122.872, 3, 3, 0.743, 0.046
7) Riley Herbst, No. 98 Monster Energy Ford, 1:11.806, 122.831, 3, 3, 0.767, 0.024
8) Ryan Sieg, No. 39 Sci Aps Ford, 1:11.847, 122.761, 1, 2, 0.808, 0.041
9) Brandon Jones, No. 9 Menards/Pelonis Chevrolet, 1:12.079, 122.366, 3, 3, 1.040, 0.232
10) Jeremy Clements, No. 51 ASE/Nordic Logistics Chevrolet, 1:12.160, 122.228, 3, 3, 1.121, 0.081
11) Ross Chastain(i), No. 92 Protect Your Melon Chevrolet, 1:12.360, 121.891, 1, 1, 1.321, 0.200
12) Parker Retzlaff, No. 31 FUNKAWAY Chevrolet, 1:12.578, 121.524, 3, 3, 1.539, 0.218
13) Anthony Alfredo, No. 5 Ferguson Chevrolet, 1:12.581, 121.519, 1, 3, 1.542, 0.003
14) Mike Skeen, No. 87 Navy Seal Foundation Chevrolet, 1:12.656, 121.394, 3, 8, 1.617, 0.075
15) Josh Bilicki, No. 91 Chemung Supply Corporation Chevrolet, 1:12.684, 121.347, 1, 2, 1.645, 0.028
16) Jeb Burton, No. 27 Heartbeat Hot Sauce/Norma Chevrolet, 1:12.736, 121.260, 4, 4, 1.697, 0.052
17) Kyle Weatherman, No. 36 DriveSmartWarranty.com Chevrolet, 1:12.763, 121.215, 1, 3, 1.724, 0.027
18) Thomas Annunziata, No. 35 NFPA Toyota, 1:12.879, 121.023, 2, 3, 1.840, 0.116
19) RC Enerson (OP), No. 14 Lucas Oil School of Racing Chevrolet, 1:13.238, 120.429, 2, 5, 2.199, 0.359
20) Ryan Ellis (OP), No. 43 Rich Mar/Laughlin Family Foundation Chevrolet, 1:13.374, 120.206, 5, 5, 2.335, 0.136
21) Jade Buford, No. 07 Frog Alley Brewing Chevrolet, 1:13.392, 120.177, 3, 6, 2.353, 0.018

Round 2:
Pos, Driver, Car, Time, Speed, Lap #, # Laps, -Fastest, -Next
1) Connor Zilisch, No. 88 Carolina Carports Chevrolet, 1:11.028, 124.176 mph, 1, 1, ---, ---
2) Ty Gibbs(i), No. 19 Starkey Toyota, 1:11.171, 123.927, 3, 3, 0.143 sec, 0.143 sec
3) AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Celsius Chevrolet, 1:11.404, 123.522, 1, 1, 0.376, 0.233
4) Justin Allgaier, No. 7 BRANDT Chevrolet, 1:11.428, 123.481, 1, 1, 0.400, 0.024
5) Sam Mayer, No. 1 10X Health Chevrolet, 1:11.574, 123.229, 1, 1, 0.546, 0.146
6) Chandler Smith, No. 81 Smith General Contracting Toyota, 1:11.659, 123.083, 1, 3, 0.631, 0.085
7) William Byron(i), No. 17 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, 1:11.711, 122.994, 1, 1, 0.683, 0.052
8) Aric Almirola, No. 20 Go Bowling Toyota, 1:11.847, 122.761, 1, 1, 0.819, 0.136
9) Sheldon Creed, No. 18 Friends of Jaclyn Foundation Toyota, 1:12.046, 122.422, 1, 1, 1.018, 0.199
10) Austin Hill, No. 21 Global Industrial Chevrolet, 1:12.198, 122.164, 1, 1, 1.170, 0.152
(OP) Top 30 in Owner Points, (i) Ineligible for driver points in this series, (#) Rookie

Starting Line Up: Mission 200 at the Glen, Watkins Glen International
Pos, Driver, Car, Time, Speed
1) Connor Zilisch, No. 88 Carolina Carports Chevrolet, 1:11.028, 124.176 mph
2) Ty Gibbs(i), No. 19 Starkey Toyota, 1:11.171, 123.927
3) AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Celsius Chevrolet, 1:11.404, 123.522
4) Justin Allgaier, No. 7 BRANDT Chevrolet, 1:11.428, 123.481
5) Sam Mayer, No. 1 10X Health Chevrolet, 1:11.574, 123.229
6) Chandler Smith, No. 81 Smith General Contracting Toyota, 1:11.659, 123.083
7) William Byron(i), No. 17 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, 1:11.711, 122.994
8) Aric Almirola, No. 20 Go Bowling Toyota, 1:11.847, 122.761
9) Sheldon Creed, No. 18 Friends of Jaclyn Foundation Toyota, 1:12.046, 122.422
10) Austin Hill, No. 21 Global Industrial Chevrolet, 1:12.198, 122.164
11) Jesse Love #, No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet, 1:11.782, 122.872
12) Riley Herbst, No. 98 Monster Energy Ford, 1:11.806, 122.831
13) Shane Van Gisbergen #, No. 97 WeatherTech Chevrolet, 1:11.847, 122.761
14) Ryan Sieg, No. 39 Sci Aps Ford, 1:11.847, 122.761
15) Cole Custer, No. 00 HighPoint.com Ford, 1:11.979, 122.536
16) Brandon Jones, No. 9 Menards/Pelonis Chevrolet, 1:12.079, 122.366
17) Sammy Smith, No. 8 Pilot Flying J Chevrolet, 1:12.130, 122.279
18) Jeremy Clements, No. 51 ASE/Nordic Logistics Chevrolet, 1:12.160, 122.228
19) Parker Kligerman, No. 48 Borchetta Bourbon Chevrolet, 1:12.201, 122.159
20) Matt DiBenedetto, No. 38 ReMA Ford, 1:12.325, 121.950
21) Ross Chastain(i), No. 92 Protect Your Melon Chevrolet, 1:12.360, 121.891
22) Alon Day, No. 45 JSSI Chevrolet, 1:12.568, 121.541
23) Parker Retzlaff, No. 31 FUNKAWAY Chevrolet, 1:12.578, 121.524
24) Anthony Alfredo, No. 5 Ferguson Chevrolet, 1:12.581, 121.519
25) Mike Skeen, No. 87 Navy Seal Foundation Chevrolet, 1:12.656, 121.394
26) Josh Bilicki, No. 91 Chemung Supply Corporation Chevrolet, 1:12.684, 121.347
27) Austin Green, No. 32 3Dimensional.com Chevrolet, 1:12.717, 121.292
28) Jeb Burton, No. 27 Heartbeat Hot Sauce/Norma Chevrolet, 1:12.736, 121.260
29) Kyle Weatherman, No. 36 DriveSmartWarranty.com Chevrolet, 1:12.763, 121.215
30) Thomas Annunziata, No. 35 NFPA Toyota, 1:12.879, 121.023
31) Brennan Poole, No. 44 Frontline Fire Protection Chevrolet, 1:13.028, 120.776
32) Leland Honeyman #, No. 42 Excite Motorsports Chevrolet, 1:13.177, 120.530
33) Joey Logano(i), No. 15 Panini Ford, 1:13.183, 120.520
34) RC Enerson, No. 14 Lucas Oil School of Racing Chevrolet, Owner Points, 
35) Ryan Ellis, No. 43 Rich Mar/Laughlin Family Foundation , Owner Points, 
36) Kyle Sieg, No. 28 Lotze Ford, Owner Points, 
37) Ed Jones, No. 26 Toyota Genuine Parts Toyota, Owner Points, 
38) Josh Williams, No. 11 Alloy Employer Services Chevrolet, Owner Points,
(i) Ineligible for driver points, (#)Rookie

Did Not Qualify: No. 29 Blaine Perkins, No. 07 Jade Buford, No. 13 Kyle Keller

Track Qualifying Record: William Byron, 08/20/22, 71:10.5481, 125.021 mph

Track Race Record: Kurt Busch, 08/13/11, 01:57:14, 106.582 mph