2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series Race Twenty-Three Watkins Glen

Cars in field: 38
Pole: Connor Zilisch (88)
Outside Pole: Shane van Gisbergen (9)
Stages: 20-20-42
Weather: Sunny, 90°F, Feels like 95°, Feels like (shade) 88°, Wind SSE 4 mph, Wind Gusts 7 mph

Caution on lap 4 of 82 for spins by Ryan Sieg (39) and Josh Bilicki (91).

Justin Allgaier (7) wins stage one.

Connor Zilisch (88) wins stage two by 4.365 seconds over Shane ‘SVG’ Van Gisbergen (9).

What a snoozer of an event so far.

Caution on lap 51 of 82 for Sheldon Creed (00) losing a tire and crashing into the wall. He tried to turn the car in the right direction and limp off the track, but it spun back around on him and is sitting facing the wrong direction. Creed said he knew the 4 (Parker Retzlaff) was along with him and he didn’t know that he was going to go on either side of him, then he spun Sheldon out in the front straightaway.

On lap 61 of 82 Connor Zilisch (88) has caught the rear of leader Shane ‘SVG’ Van Gisbergen (9).

Caution on lap 65 of 82 as Connor Zilisch (88) turns teammate Shane ‘SVG’ Van Gisbergen (88) who slammed into the wall. The car lifted from the impact with both right side tires leaving the track as the car backed into the SAFER barrier.

Caution on lap 68 of 82 for debris, a titanium hub cover.

Caution on lap 74 of 82 for a multi-car incident as McDowell (11) goes around courtesy of Austin Hill (21), collecting William Sawalich (18), Taylor Gray (54), Kyle Sieg (28), Ryan Sieg (39), Josh Bilicki (91), Jesse Love (2), Preston Pardus (07), Daniel Dye (10), Kaz Grala (24), Dean Thompson (26), Jeb Burton (27), Anthony ‘FastPasta’ Alfredo (42), Nick Sanchez (48), Ryan Ellis (71) and blocking the track. McDowell’s wheels also left the track from the impact with the wall. It looks like a car went up in the air behind the initial crash – possibly Josh Bilicki going up as Kyle or Ryan Sieg ran underneath him.

Red flag is out 1734 eastern.

MRN’s Alex Hayden says this is the largest crash in the history of the Xfinity series races at Watkins Glen.

The track workers are repairing the armco barrier where McDowell hit.

Caution is displayed 1819 eastern. MRN reports the red flag period was more than 45 minutes.

Nick Sanchez (48) hits the tire barrier under caution on lap 6 of 82. MRN reports his car is buried under the tires.

Restarting on lap 78 of 82 with Connor Zilisch (88), Austin Hill (21), Sammy Smith (8), Sam Mayer (41), Austin Green (32), Christian Eckes (16), Carson Kvapil (1), Brandon Jones (20), Brennan Poole (44), and Harrison Burton (25) up front.

Sammy Smith (8) gets the early lead.

Connor Zilisch (88) takes the lead back on lap 79 of 82.

Connor Zilisch (88) easily wins more than two seconds ahead of second position.

It was reported that JRM owner Dale Earnhardt Jr texted JRM driver Connor Zilisch after Zilisch wrecked his teammate, Shane ‘SVG’ Van Gisbergen, to say Zilisch had done nothing wrong. I certainly wouldn’t drive for Jr again if I were SVG. If a team owner sanctions one team member taking out another without regard for safety I wouldn’t think that was a team concerned with my welfare and should be avoided unless I have no other choice.

Connor Zilisch fell of the side of the car while climbing out of the car in victory lane. he is being carried away on a backboard from victory lane. MRN reports he is communicating with the AMR safety officials. he reportedly hit hard with the upper part of his body. the team leaves the victory lane stage after they carried Zilisch away. they’re heading to the infield care center with Zilisch in an ambulance.

Austin Hill (21) claims during his radio interview he didn’t mean to turn Michael McDowell (11). He said he was trying to confuse him by going to his left and by the time he realized McDowell wasn’t going to move over for him, the grass was coming up and he had to move to the right and got into McDowell. He seemed to be trying to say the correct thing, rather than tell the truth. He also said the 21 team doesn’t listen to the noise around them – if you’re with them they’ll listen to you, if you’re against them, beat it. He recognized that his profane tirade on the radio when he wrecked Aric Almirola worked against him, so he appears to be choosing to instead say the thing that won’t get him suspended again. Since NASCAR choose to provide him with a waiver for the playoffs I don’t think he should be too worried. They seem invested in keeping him around regardless of the danger to the rest of the field.

The race was very boring until it got down to the final twenty-two laps. Connor Zilisch and Austin Hill both chose to take out their opposition rather than race them for the win. The race was eventful from that point, but unsatisfying due to the elimination of competition to avoid racing the competition.

Get caught up on the latest racing news.

Motorsport News:

1. 1. 1. Driver Zilisch breaks collarbone on Victory Lane.
      2. Kyle Busch Assigns Blame For NASCAR’s Declining Popularity.
      3. Daniel Hemric describes ‘twofold’ finish after Watkins Glen runner-up.
      4. Hauger Sends Message by Leading Opening Portland Practice.
      5. IndyCar’s silly season roadmap hinges on one critical domino.
      6. In triple overtime, Corey Heim triumphs again, this time at Watkins Glen.
      7. Watkins Glen post-race Truck Series inspection.
      8. NASCAR accuses 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports of ‘false statements,’ teams respond.
      9. Auto racing: Timms takes top qualifying spot at Knoxville.
      10. Christopher Bell, Wesley Slimp Nab Great Results for Resilient HFR Team.
      11. Austin Hill discusses Indianapolis incident with Aric Almirola.
      12. Gabriel Bortoleto on his road to F1 and the champions who helped him get there.
      13. Supercars Queensland: Broc Feeney extends lead despite losing second win to penalty.
      14. Honda in conundrum over Somkiat Chantra stand-in for MotoGP Austrian GP.
      15. Trackhouse signs van Gisbergen to extension.
      16. DTM Nurburgring: Jack Aitken wins red-flagged race to take points lead.
      17. No hard feelings for Larson, Elliott after Iowa dust-ups: ‘I just exploded’.
      18. Zane Smith on Carson Hocevar after Iowa run-in: ‘He’s an idiot’.
      19. Shane van Gisbergen spins Sam Mayer, hits Christian Eckes during Xfinity Series practice at Watkins Glen.
      20. Connor Zilisch Takes Watkins Glen Xfinity Pole.
      21. CHEVROLET NCS AT WATKINS GLEN: Justin Marks and Shane van Gisbergen Media Availability Quotes.
      22. NASCAR: Austin Hill Doubles Down on Defense of Indianapolis Incident After Return from Suspension.
      23. Blaney nabs upset Watkins Glen pole from road-course ace Van Gisbergen.
      24. Austin Hill returns from NASCAR suspension, says crash was a “racing incident”.
      25. How long does Shane van Gisbergen plan to race in NASCAR?
      26. Pato O’Ward on IndyCar pole in Portland after Christian Lundgaard grid penalty.
      27. IndyCar Pulled Into Politics Against Its Will.
      28. Connor Zilisch wins second consecutive Watkins Glen Xfinity race, transported to hospital following Victory Lane fall.
      29. Connor Zilisch transported to local hospital after fall in Watkins Glen Victory Lane.
      30. Xfinity Series post-race inspection at Watkins Glen.
      31. Shane van Gisbergen wrecks out of the lead after contact with teammate.
      32. Connor Zilisch injury update: NASCAR star transported to local hospital for more evaluation.
      33. Connor Zilisch falls celebrating win: NASCAR driver placed on backboard, put in ambulance.
      34. Austin Hill triggers vicious track-breaking crash at Watkins Glen.
      35. Jake Bollman Has 3rd Pole of 2025 at Tri-City.
      36. NASCAR Fans Praying For Toni Breidinger Before Friday’s Race.

Next Race: Daytona

GO 7!!!!