Monday, September 16, 2024

NASCAR / ARCA Race Weekend Recap (Watkins Glen)

#NASCAR / ARCA Race Weekend Recap (Watkins Glen)

Winners: Chris Buescher (Cup); Connor Zilisch (Xfinity); Connor Zilisch (ARCA)


NASCAR Cup

Chris Buescher Moves Shane van Gisbergen on Final Lap, Wins in OT at Watkins Glen

Chris Buescher Moves Shane van Gisbergen on Final Lap, Wins in OT at Watkins Glen

 

A Round of 16 date at Watkins Glen International didn’t disappoint for non-playoff Chris Buescher, who bumped past Shane van Gisbergen in NASCAR Overtime to tally his first road-course victory in the Cup Series and, additionally, find Victory Lane for the first time in 2024.

 

Van Gisbergen, Carson Hocevar, Ross Chastain and Zane Smith rounded out the top five.

 

"We came here to be spoiler. We’re going to do that," said Buescher, a native of Prosper, Texas. "We would have liked to have won a couple of weeks ago (to make the playoffs), but this is huge. Such a big win for us. Everybody at RFK has worked so hard. To finally get a road-course win ‒ we’ve been so close so many times ‒ to finally pull that off is fantastic."

 





Pole: Ross Chastain

Click Here for Race Results


Next Race: The Cup Series will return on Saturday September 21, 2024 at 7:30 pm ET for the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway.


NASCAR Xfinity

Connor Zilisch Dazzles in Xfinity Series Debut, Wins at Watkins Glen

 

In his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut, Connor Zilisch survived two wild restarts in overtime to win the Mission 200 at The Glen at Watkins Glen International. The No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet pilot led 45 of 90 laps, holding off runner-up finisher Sheldon Creed.

 

AJ Allmendinger, Parker Kligerman and Chandler Smith rounded out the top five.

 

“I worked so hard for this one,” a smiling Zilisch said, his voice cracking with emotion. “I’ve been working for this one for months and it’s so special to me, man. I don’t even have words.

 

“I don’t know how I saved enough, I sputtered up the hill,” he said of having to save fuel in the closing laps which included a restart with two laps remaining and then two more in overtime.

 

“With two to go, I didn’t think I was going to make it back to the line even. I’m going to enjoy this one for a while. I can’t say enough about JR Motorsports and everyone who supports me.”

 





Pole: Connor Zilisch

Click Here for Race Results


Next Race: The Xfinity Series will return on Friday, September 20, 2024 at 7:30 pm ET for the Food City 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway.


NASCAR Trucks

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series – Off Week

 

The NASCAR Truck Series takes to the track Thursday for the second race in the Playoff Round of Ten. Last race, Layne Riggs, a non-playoff driver played the role of spoiler with a win at the Milwaukee Mile.

 





Next Race: The Truck Series will return on Thursday September 19, 2024 at 8:00 pm ET for the UNOH 200 presented by Ohio Logistics at Bristol Motor Speedway.

ARCA

Connor Zilisch Dominates Field at Watkins Glen for Fifth National Win of 2024

 

A big weekend for Connor Zilisch at Watkins Glen International got off to a perfect start in Friday’s ARCA Series General Tire 100 at the Glen.

 

Setting a commanding tone in qualifying with a General Tire Pole run nearly one second faster than second-place William Sawalich, Zilisch faced no resistance as he pulled away for one of the most dominant victories of his young career by an 11-second margin. The perfect outing at Watkins Glen was Zilisch’s fifth ARCA Menards Series national triumph in six appearances.

 

“This Pinnacle Racing Group team worked hard, but this was one we wanted this year,” Zilisch said. “We worked really hard to bring a fast car to these road courses, and it means a lot to get redemption on our second-place finish from last year.”

 

With so much developing in Zilisch’s career, he considers himself fortunate to be in an environment where he can simultaneously learn and thrive. Only a handful of ARCA Menards Series starts remains before Zilisch departs PRG for a full year in the Xfinity Series, but he intends to excel at every opportunity with the program.

 

“It makes my job easier,” Zilisch said. “Every time I show up to the track, these guys bring me a fast car, and I can count on them. It’s been a lot of fun this year, and I’m super proud of everyone that is a part of this team. It’s truly a blessing to be here, and I’m looking forward to the future.”

 





Pole: Connor Zilisch

Click Here for Race Results


Next Race: The ARCA Series will return on Thursday, September 19, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. ET for the Bush’s Beans 200 at Bristol Motor Speedway.

 

source: NASCAR  / ARCA Media

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