18-year-old Connor Zilisch brings home the win in Xfinity Series race
LONG POND, Pa. (WBRE/WYOU) — Conor Zilisch certainly made his first race at Pocono Raceway count, taking home the victory Saturday afternoon.
The Explore the Pocono Mountains 250 marks the 18-year-old's second win of the Xfinity Series season.
The race wasn't without its dramatics as Zilisch made a late run passing Jesse Love for the lead.
He had some help from NASCAR legend and JR Motorsports co-owner Dale Earnhardt Jr., who stepped in as Zilisch's crew chief for the race.
"I think a lot of it is just people I've been ... fortunate, to surround myself with," Zilisch said. "I'm nothing without the people who have been behind me, my family, it takes an army to make stuff like this happen. Very grateful to have such a good group around me."
Saturday's race is the halfway point of a full weekend of racing at Pocono Raceway, with Friday's Truck Series race kicking things off and Sunday's Cup Series race wrapping up the festivities.
Meanwhile, the Xfinity Series heads down to Georgia's Echopark Speedway for the Focused Health 250 next week.
That race kicks off Saturday, June 27th at 7:30 p.m. ET on The CW.