Connor Zilisch Sweeps Portland, Takes Over Xfinity Regular-Season Lead
PORTLAND, Ore. — Connor Zilisch’s incredible rookie campaign in the NASCAR Xfinity Series reached another milestone Saturday, as the 18-year-old not only dominated the Pacific Office Automation 147 at Portland International Raceway but also collected maximum points to take control of the regular-season championship standings with just one race left.
Zilisch put together a flawless weekend, winning both stages, the race, and securing his third Fastest Lap award of the season. The sweep gave him every point available, a critical boost that vaulted him past his closest rivals in the battle for the regular-season crown.
“That’s about as perfect a day as you can ask for,” Zilisch said after climbing from his No. [Car Number] machine. “The guys brought me an incredible car. To sweep it, get the fastest lap, and take the points lead with one race to go — it’s huge for us heading into the playoffs.”
The Portland road course, known for producing unpredictable finishes, was once again full of restarts and high drama. But Zilisch controlled the chaos each time, showcasing poise that belies his age. His ability to execute in pressure situations has quickly become a hallmark of his 2025 season, which now includes eight victories.
The regular-season points lead is more than just bragging rights — it comes with a valuable playoff points bonus that could prove decisive in a deep championship run. For Zilisch, the focus is now on maintaining momentum as the series heads into its final regular-season event.
“The job’s not finished,” he said. “We’ve got one more race before the playoffs, and we want to keep building on this. Every point matters, and we’re going to fight for all of them.”
With one race left before the postseason, Zilisch holds the advantage — and given the form he’s shown all year, he may be the man to beat all the way to the championship finale.
