Zilisch, Kligerman Combine for Daytona Xfinity Series Win

The tag team of Connor Zilisch and Parker Kligerman won the Wawa 250 at Daytona International Speedway on Friday, accomplishing the rare feat of winning a NASCAR race in which different drivers started and finished with the same car. Though Zilisch will be the sole credited winner, both drivers showed off their elite racing skills in Daytona’s last NASCAR Xfinity Series race of the year.

Kligerman (88) leads teammates Justin Allgaier (7) and Sammy Smith (8) at Daytona. ⓒ Eryn Harris

“It’s weird,” Zilisch said. “It was really weird the last time I did it, and I never thought I’d have to do it again…but I love Parker. I’ve been a fan of Parker for a long time. He’s another one I’m OK watching win inside my race car. I’m glad that I got to start the race and get the points for my team.”

The reason Zilisch had Kligerman fill in for him arose two weeks ago: when Zilisch won the Xfinity Series race at Watkins Glen International in New York, he fell off his car in victory lane and broke his collarbone. Ten days removed from surgery, he was sufficiently healed to run the first couple dozen laps or so, but team owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. tapped Kligerman to relieve Zilisch to avoid re-aggravating the injury.

Kligerman assumed the wheel of the No. 88 WeatherTech Chevrolet around the end of the race’s first stage. He quickly drove it back toward the front, and outlasted multiple late-race cautions to clinch the statistical win for Zilisch. Kligerman still has never officially won a race in the Xfinity Series, but many racing fans will forever see him as a de facto victor in his first Xfinity start of 2025.

“I hate the circumstances for Connor,” Kligerman added. “He’s an amazing generational talent. I feel honored to have gotten the call to grace the seat that he’s been in, that Kyle Larson’s been in.”

19-year-old Connor Zilisch (left) debriefs with team owner and NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr (right). ⓒ Eryn Harris

Making the win all the more poetic, Kligerman was initially credited with the win in February’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Daytona, before a technical inspection failure led to his disqualification. Kligerman, who had been elated at a much-needed breakthrough, was left empty-handed after crossing the finish line first. Twice in one year, Kligerman finished first without recording an official win.

Team owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. said the win was one of the most unique of his ownership career, closely behind a victory earlier this year in which he acted as crew chief for the first time. Seven different drivers have won in the NASCAR Xfinity Series this year driving for JR Motorsports, a staggering number for an operation only fielding four full-time cars.

1. Connor Zilisch/Parker Kligerman – #88 WeatherTech Chevrolet (JR Motorsports)
2. Sammy Smith – #8 Pilot Chevrolet (JR Motorsports)
3. Justin Allgaier – #7 Hellmann’s Chevrolet (JR Motorsports)
4. Jesse Love – #2 Whelen Chevrolet (Richard Childress Racing)
5. Sam Mayer – #41 Audibel Ford (Haas Factory Team)
6. Brandon Jones – #20 Menards Toyota (Joe Gibbs Racing)
7. Dean Thompson – #26 Thompson Pipe Group Toyota (Sam Hunt Racing)
8. Garrett Smithley – #14 True Brand Chevrolet (SS-Green Light Racing)
9. Brennan Poole – #44 CW & Sons Chevrolet (Alpha Prime Racing)
10. Carson Kvapil – #1 Jarrett Chevrolet (JR Motorsports)
11. Ryan Ellis – #71 Mike Albert Fleet Solutions Chevrolet (DGM Racing)
12. William Sawalich – #18 Soundgear Toyota (Joe Gibbs Racing)
13. Patrick Emerling – #07 Priority Tire Chevrolet (SS-Green Light Racing)
14. Blaine Perkins – #31 easycare Chevrolet (Jordan Anderson Racing)
15. Mason Maggio – #35 Denssi Energy Pouches Chevrolet (Joey Gase Motorsports)
16. Harrison Burton – #25 – DEX Imaging Ford (AM Racing)
17. Sheldon Creed – #00 Ollie’s Ford (Haas Factory Team)
18. Josh Bilicki – #91 Coca-Cola Zero Sugar Chevrolet (DGM Racing)
19. Justin Haley – #11 Celsius Chevrolet (Kaulig Racing)
20. Jeb Burton – #27 Golden Corral Chevrolet (Jordan Anderson Racing)
21. Joey Gase – #53 NFPA Chevrolet (Joey Gase Motorsports)
22. Natalie Decker – #92 Wawa Chevrolet (DGM Racing)
23. Nick Sanchez – #48 Pickers Vodka Chevrolet (Big Machine Racing)
24. Aric Almirola – #19 Young Life Toyota (Joe Gibbs Racing)
25. Austin Hill – #21 Global Industrial Chevrolet (Richard Childress Racing)
26. Leland Honeyman – #70 DPR Construction Chevrolet (Cope Family Racing)
27. Kyle Sieg – #28 DeSantis AC & Appliance Ford (RSS Racing)
28. Caesar Bacarella – #5 Prime Bites/7-Eleven Chevrolet (Alpha Prime Racing)
29. Rajah Caruth – #32 Atlanta Life Insurance Chevrolet (Jordan Anderson Racing)
30. Taylor Gray – #54 Operation 300 RED (Joe Gibbs Racing)
31. Ryan Sieg – #39 Sci Aps Ford (RSS Racing)
32. Christian Eckes – #16 Campers Inn RV Mobile Medic Chevrolet (Kaulig Racing)
33. Matt DiBenedetto – #99 Buddy Chevrolet (Viking Motorsport)
34. Josh Williams – #45 Optum Chevrolet (Alpha Prime Racing)
35. Daniel Dye – #10 Martech Services Company Chevrolet (Kaulig Racing)
36. Jeremy Clements – #51 All South Electric Chevrolet (Jeremy Clements Racing)
37. Anthony Alfredo – #42 Dude Wipes Chevrolet (Young’s Motorsports)
38. Parker Retzlaff – #4 Dove MenCare Chevrolet (Alpha Prime Racing)

The iconic No. 88 made famous by Dale Earnhardt Jr. ⓒ Eryn Harris