Connor Zilisch “frustrated” after potential "top 5” destroyed during closing laps at Richmond 

Connor Zilisch was frustrated after the final stage wreck robbed him of a potential second consecutive top 5 in the Truck Series. The Spire Motorsports driver's #7 Chevy's rear screeched on the outside wall after a nudge from Bret Holmes.

The Clean Harbors 250 marked Zilisch's second truck race and his first NASCAR race on an oval. His debut run was at the COTA's circuit where he set the stage with his fastest qualifying run and posted a top-5 finish, claiming fourth place.

The North Carolina native was hopeful for a second consecutive top-5 but was left disappointed as on lap 237, Chase Purdy's contact with Holmes cascaded into Zilisch getting spun out.

"Someone got into someone which ended up getting into me and ended our race, which is frustrating because I do feel like before that caution [Lap 226] we had a chance at a top-5 with how much speed we had. So, frustrating end to what was going to be a good day," Zilisch spoke about the fateful moment via Frontstretch on X (0:10).

Connor Zilisch started from 27th but climbed to a 15th-place finish in stage two and ran among the front runners in the final stage.

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Dale Earnhardt Jr. “worried” about expectations surrounding Connor Zilisch

Connor Zilisch was 17 years old when he debuted in the Truck Series. He wasn't permitted to run a full-time NASCAR schedule until he turned 18 on July 22, but the teenager competed in other disciplines of motorsports racing.

He claimed 5 ARCA Menards wins and has bagged the 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring on his maiden attempt. Moreover, a few days ago, Zilisch struck a full-time Xfinity Series deal with JR Motorsports, starting in 2025. With that, the expectations surrounding his promising future in NASCAR are high.

Dale Earnhardt Jr., however, expressed his concern about how NASCAR's rising star will handle people's opinions and criticisms when he undergoes "more and more" public exposure. He said (via Dirty Mo Media on X).

"I worry about the expectations now that are going to be put on you. I think that you can do this. More and more people are going to be seeing you, commenting, giving their opinions, their criticism. You're 18 years old, I don't see how the hell you could be able expected or able to handle this perfectly, but I'll know you'll try."

While there are no updates about Connor Zilisch's third Truck Series appearance this season, his four-race Xfinity Series schedule is nearing its beginning. September 14's run at Watkins Glen International will mark his debut with JRM, followed by Kansas Speedway on September 28, Homestead-Miami Speedway on October 26, and the Phoenix Raceway on November 9.