Zilisch Cruises To Xfinity Series Pole In Mexico City

Connor Zilisch celebrates the NASCAR Xfinity Series pole at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez Saturday. (Lesley Ann Miller/Nigel Kinrade Photography)

MEXICO CITY – The NASCAR Xfinity Series has a new Mr. Inevitable in road course qualifying, and it’s a teenage savant who has taken the sport by storm.

Connor Zilisch raced to his third Kennametal Pole Award on a road course in as many tries at stock car racing’s second highest level, earning the top starting spot Saturday morning at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez for the Chilango 150.

Zilisch, 18, posted a time of one minute, 32.372 seconds (94.314 mph) around the 2.42-mile, 15-turn natural terrain circuit for his fifth career Xfinity Series pole and series-leading fourth this season.

The Mooresville, N.C., native hopes to convert the strong track position into his third victory in as many road course starts as well, after winning from pole at both Watkins Glen (N.Y.) Int’l last year and Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, back in March.

“It’s funny, because those other two races I made it really difficult on myself, so hopefully I can make it a little easier today and just have a good clean day,” said Zilisch after climbing from his No. 88 WeatherTech Chevrolet. “The [No.] 19 [of Ty Gibbs] is obviously really quick and had us on our toes throughout practice and qualifying … but I’m just really proud of the entire JR Motorsports team.

“All five cars are really good here … so I’m glad we’ve got cars as fast as Xfinity mobile [internet] and hope to back that up in the race later on.”

Joining Zilisch on the front row is the driver who appears to be his main challenger south of the border in Gibbs, the NASCAR Cup Series young gun and past Xfinity Series champion looking to gain track time and experience before Sunday’s headliner.

Wheeling the No. 19 Monster Energy Toyota GR Supra, Gibbs’ best lap of 1:32.475 (94.209 mph) came right at the end of the 40-minute session, when he was trying to bump Zilisch from the top of the time sheet.

“I don’t know what more I needed; I haven’t seen the data yet,” Gibbs admitted. “I feel like it was a good lap. If I hadn’t done that first [run], I think we would’ve been a little bit faster, but I’m having a lot of being back in the Xfinity car.”

Fellow Cup Series star Christopher Bell, driving the No. 24 Toyota for Sam Hunt Racing, starts third (1:32.953/93.725) alongside Carson Kvapil (1:33.105/93.572) in row two. Sammy Smith (1:33.223/93.453) followed in fifth to give JR Motorsports three of the top five starting spots.

Sixth through 10th on the grid are Sam Mayer, Austin Hill, Taylor Gray, Nick Sanchez, and Jesse Love.

Notables lining up outside the top 10 include reigning series champion Justin Allgaier (12th), Sheldon Creed (13th), Austin Green (14th), debutant Andres Perez de Lara (16th), Sage Karam (20th), Harrison Burton (22nd), Daniel Dye (29th), and Christian Eckes (34th).

Anthony Alfredo did not post a qualifying time after crashing at turn four during morning practice. He’ll start 38th for Young’s Motorsports.

Also buried in the lineup is Daniel Suarez, who will line up last via the international provisional after slamming into the turn-11 barriers on his out lap for qualifying and having to go to a backup car.

With only 39 cars in attendance for a maximum 40-car field in Mexico City, no drivers missed the race, but Suarez’s entry will be ineligible for owner points, prize money, or playoff benefits due to the IP.

Broadcast coverage of the Chilango 150 is slated for 4 p.m. ET, live on The CW, the Motor Racing Network, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90.

It’s the first time for the Xfinity Series at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez since 2008, when Kyle Busch drove the JGR No. 20 to victory lane over Marcos Ambrose and Scott Pruett.