Connor Zilisch slams tire barrier while leading Xfinity Series practice at Chicago

For Connor Zilisch, this makes his job much harder. With Shane van Gisbergen in the field, battling from the rear to the front is going to be difficult. Beating SVG will be a monumental task.

Zilisch is perhaps the most talented road course racer in all of NASCAR. But he has found a way to shoot himself in the foot during these races. In his first trip to Chicago, he overshot a corner. That isn’t out of the norm, but it doesn’t make anything easier on him today.

All eyes will be on the 88 car to start the race today. Can he make it up through the field and contend for the win today with a repaired or backup car?

Connor Zilisch wrecks, SVG wins Xfinity Series pole

Speaking of the Connor Zilisch vs. SVG battle, it is already playing out right now in the Xfinity Series. Right after Zilisch went into the tire barrier, SVG charged to the front and took the top spot in practice.

So, it will be SVG in the No. 9 JRM car in the front, Zilisch in the back in the 88 car. Zilisch will be able to flip the stage or stay out to gain position at some point. He should also have opportunities to take advantage of cautions on the track. Hopefully, we get to see him mix it up with SVG at least a little bit today.

Yet again for the Xfinity Series, the weather is beautiful. The racing is going to be very fun and very exciting. It is a short race, 110 miles, 50 laps. There is not a ton of time to make moves and advance through the field for someone like Zilisch. But if they thread the needle, it can be done.

This could be the biggest test of Connor Zilisch’s road course racing abilities. Anyone who finds a way to take down SVG will have to do it the hard way.