The checkered flag fell at Dover Motor Speedway, but the real story wasn’t the rain that ended the race early. It was 18-year-old Connor Zilisch becoming the youngest driver to reach five career victories, shattering a record that Kyle Busch held for over two decades.
This wasn’t just another win in what’s already been a breakout 2025 season. This was the moment that officially announced Zilisch as a generational talent, someone who’s not just fast but historically fast.
Connor Zilisch’s Record-Breaking Dover Performance
The BetRivers 200 at Dover provided the perfect stage for Zilisch’s historic moment. Starting third in the field, he worked his way to the front and controlled the race, leading 77 of the 134 completed laps before persistent rain forced NASCAR officials to call the event.
The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. At precisely 18 years, 11 months, and 27 days old when he captured the checkered flag, Zilisch bested Busch’s previous mark by over four months. The victory came just two days before his 19th birthday on July 22, making the achievement even more remarkable.
“It’s awesome,” Zilisch said immediately after being declared the winner. “(I) wish we could have run all the laps… glad to have Miles [the Monster Trophy] here. Still really proud of this Junior Motorsports team. We capitalized on all fronts, had good pit stops both stages and put ourselves in a position to be in the right spot when the rain fell.”
Last weekend at Dover, Connor Zilisch became the youngest driver in Xfinity Series history to reach five career wins. pic.twitter.com/ynCS6sLAHn
— NASCAR Insights (@NASCARInsights) July 23, 2025
The path to victory wasn’t without its challenges. After struggling with a loose-handling Carolina Carports Chevrolet during Stage One, crew chief Mardy Lindley made crucial adjustments that transformed the car’s performance.
The turning point came when Zilisch’s pit crew delivered exceptional service, moving him from fourth to second for the Stage Two restart.
Zilisch Breaks Kyle Busch’s 21-Year Record
Kyle Busch’s previous record as the youngest driver to reach five Xfinity Series wins had stood since 2004, when he achieved the milestone at 19 years, 3 months, and 19 days old. That’s a 117-day difference between Zilisch and Busch, representing a significant gap in developmental timelines and highlighting just how quickly the Charlotte native has adapted to NASCAR’s premier developmental series.
This record-breaking achievement positions Zilisch as a legitimate championship contender with 24 playoff points already secured through his four victories in 2025.
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Currently sitting second in championship standings behind teammate Justin Allgaier, he has shown remarkable consistency with nine top-five finishes and a 10.68 average finish in the 2025 Xfinity season.
Zilisch’s red-hot streak includes three victories in his last five races, adding another chapter to what many consider one of the most remarkable campaigns in modern NASCAR history. With upcoming races at Indianapolis Motor Speedway presenting another opportunity for history, Zilisch could potentially deliver JR Motorsports’ 100th Xfinity Series victory while extending his winning streak.