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Dale Earnhardt Jr. warns Connor Zilisch after putting driver ‘in the wall’ during Chicago Street Race

Originally posted on 5 GOATs | By Jonathan Howard | Last updated Jul 5, 2025 7:41 PM ET

While Connor Zilisch charged from last to P8 in the first stage, Dale Earnhardt Jr. had to warn him for his on-track actions. Chicago can be an intense NASCAR race. To make passes, at times, you have to get aggressive and physical. Zilisch got a little too physical.

During the first stage in Chicago, Connor Zilisch had to be very aggressive. He wrecked in practice and started in the back of the field. To his credit, he made his way to the top-10 before the stage ended under caution.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. issued a warning to Zilisch at one point. The 88 got into Thomas Annunziata in the 70. Dale Jr. doesn’t want any problems.

“Did you put somebody in the wall in Turn 8?” Earnhardt asked Zilisch, via Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic. That would be Annunziata.

“I don’t think he hit the wall, but I moved him,” Zilisch said on the radio. “He tried to pas sme back after I passed him.”

“I think he hit the wall,” Dale Jr. replied. “I’m in the pit stall next to him and I don’t want him coming over here.”

Dale Jr: "Did you put somebody in the wall in Turn 8?"

Connor Zilisch: "I don't think he hit the wall, but I moved him. He tried to pass me back after I passed him."

Dale Jr: "I think he did hit the wall. I'm in the pit stall next to him and I don't want him coming over here."
— Jordan Bianchi (@Jordan_Bianchi) July 5, 2025

Dale Earnhardt Jr. isn’t wrong for his warning. Best not to make anyone too upset. But Thomas Annunziata is a big dude; things could get ugly quick on pit road. Also, you don’t want to bring any unwanted drama onto your team owner and crew chief who got you your first oval win, right?

Connor Zilisch racing through the field in Chicago

For now, all is going well for Connor Zilisch and his team. They have moved up through the field considerably since the start of the race. As the final stage is set to begin, Zilisch is in really good position to contend for the win in this race.

Zilisch is the best road course racer in NASCAR. That includes against Shane van Gisbergen. The way he hits his braking zones and gets back to the gas is just on another level. The fact that he’s only 18 makes it all the more impressive.

We might be setting things up for a Connor Zilisch vs. SVG battle to end this race. SVG had to give up track position with a poorly placed caution to end Stage 2. Let’s see how he rebounds after racing in traffic for the first time today.

This article first appeared on 5 GOATs and was syndicated with permission.

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