“Stay strong buddy”: Dale Jr.’s NASCAR prodigy Connor Zilisch sends out a message of concern to rival after scary incident

Trackhouse Racing prodigy Connor Zilisch competed in the Xfinity and Craftsman Truck Series on the same track on October 26, 2024. He encountered an accident in the Truck Series up close and wrote a heartfelt message for NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Matt Mills.

The crash happened in the final stage of the race during the 76th lap of the Baptist Health 200 race between turns three and four of the Homestead-Miami Speedway. The 27-year-old driver lost control of his #42 Chevy truck after Conner Jones in his #66 Ford truck bumped into him while racing for 19th place.

The #42 truck got slammed into the outside wall and then into the inside walls. The truck was caught on fire after the first hit and sustained heavy damage. Matt Mills was transported to the hospital after the accident.

Despite being rivals, Connor Zilisch believes that it should have never happened with Mills. He was behind the driver while the accident happened and expressed his thoughts on X:

"Hope @mattmillsracing is okay. Was right behind it and that should’ve never happened to him. Stay strong buddy!"

Zilisch finished the race in 18th place. Despite causing a big wreck, Conner Jones finished in P26 in the race.

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Connor Zilisch raced in the Xfinity Series playoff race at Homestead-Miami

Connor Zilisch also raced in the Credit One NASCAR Amex Credit Card 300 race held on October 26, 2024, at the Homestead-Miami Speedway. The NASCAR prodigy led the first practice session and had a best time of 33.629 seconds and a top speed of 160.576 mph.

But things suddenly changed for the #88 driver; he fell out of the top ten in the qualifying lap. He kicked off the race in 13th place with a best time of 33.495 seconds and a top speed of 161.218 mph. He was 0.428 seconds behind Chandler Smith, the leader of the pack.

Connor Zilisch maintained his position during stage one of the race and finished in P13. In stage two of the race, the 18-year-old was behind Parker Kligerman and finished the stage in P12. During the final stage of the 200-lap race, the #88 driver finished in 12th place, one place above pole position holder Chandler Smith.

NASCAR prodigy Connor Zilisch has competed in five races in the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series season and hasn't secured any wins yet. However, he secured two pole positions, one at the Circuit of the America's track, on his debut race. The driver once again bagged pole position on the Bristol Motor Speedway.

Apart from the pole position, Zilisch has clinched one top-ten and one top-five finish. He has led a total of 41 laps in just five races, with an average start of 11.4.