Connor Zilisch Is So Good He Just Won Daytona From Outside His Car … With A Lot Of Help

Teamwork makes the dream work.

NASCAR Xfinity Series points leader Connor Zilisch started the Wawa 250 at Daytona International Speedway on Friday night, but got out of the car after 14 laps because he didn’t want to reinjure the the still-healing collarbone he broke when he fell off his car after winning at Watkins Glen two weeks ago.

Part-time driver Parker Kligerman swapped into the No. 88 JR Motorsports car to finish the race and he finished it with style.

Kligerman took control of the race during the third stage and survived two late yellow flags and and an overtime that included a “big one” behind him as he drove to his first career Xfinity Series win in 123 starts, but it won’t count.

As the starter, Zilisch got the official credit for the win and kept the race points earned, which allowed him to extend his lead ahead of Justin Allgaier, who is second in the standings and finished second in the race. Zilisch the five playoff points that go with it, however.

Read Also: 2026 NASCAR SCHEDULES RELEASED WITH CHICAGOLAND, NORTH WILKESBORO AND … ST. PETERSBURG?

JR Motorsports owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. said he picked Parker as the back up in part because he and Zilisch are about the same size, which meant they could use the same seat without an insert, but also because he won the Truck Series race at Daytona in February, before having the victory disqualified due to a ride height violation discovered during the post-race inspection.

“I didn’t expect to get a call from Dale Jr., on a day I was leaving to go on vacation, and say, ‘hey, man, will you come drive this thing? I obviously hate the circumstances for Connor, he’s an amazing, generational talent. I feel honored to have gotten the call and grace the seat that he’s been in, that Kyle Larson’s been in, I knew I had to hold up my end of the bargain,” Kligerman said on The CW after the race.