Connor Zilisch impresses in first NASCAR All-Star Race

Connor Zilisch ran arguably the best race of his young NASCAR Cup Series career in Sunday's NASCAR All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway. 

And while his fifth-place finish in the exhibition doesn't go toward the series standings, it proved what many in the NASCAR industry believed despite his rough start to his rookie campaign: the kid has the ability to race up front at the Cup level. 

Zilisch was part of a five-car battle for the lead right before the competition caution flew at Lap 75 and got up as high as third in the running order. Unfortunately, a pit road penalty for equipment interference forced him to the rear of the field. 

Still, the 19-year-old driver battled back into the top 10 and top five late in the race.

What Connor Zilisch said after Dover

"Running with Gibbs cars, running second there, that's the stuff we need," Zilisch said post-race, per Matt Weaver of Motorsport.com. "I've always ran really good here. I knew it was going to be a good track for me."