Zilisch Keeps Rolling At Bristol With Truck Series Pole

Connor Zilisch with the pole award at Bristol Motor Speedway. (Scotte Sprinkle photo)

BRISTOL, Tenn. – Connor Zilisch has taken a quick liking to Bristol Motor Speedway, and his comfort level continued to show during NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series qualifying Thursday afternoon.

Zilisch completed a sweep of the time trial sessions at The Last Great Colosseum, adding the Truck Series’ Cometic Gasket Pole Award to his earlier General Tire Pole Award with the ARCA Menards Series.

Driving the No. 7 Silver Hare Driver Development Chevrolet Silverado RST for Spire Motorsports, Zilisch turned a scorching lap of 15.325 seconds (125.207 mph) around the .533-mile concrete high banks.

It marked his second Truck Series pole in just three starts, all of which have come this season.

“It’s a lot of preparation that goes into this success,” said Zilisch. “A lot of great people help to make this all happen, from Chevrolet to Scott Speed and everyone at Spire Motorsports. Driving fast cars makes me look good and I’m thankful to be in the position I am with the teams I get to work with.

“We’ve got two shots at victory lane tonight for three trophies – I’m chasing an ARCA East championship as well – and hopefully we can get all three,” he added. “I’m going to fly up to Indy [Indianapolis Motor Speedway] and go run the LMP2 car [with Era Motorsport] for the IMSA race as well, so it’s a busy weekend, but I’m ready for it.”

Joining Zilisch on the front row will be five-time season winner Corey Heim, who toured Bristol in 15.451 seconds (124.186 mph) with the No. 11 Safelite Toyota Tundra TRD Pro for TRICON Garage.

Row two features teammates of those on the front row, with Spire’s Rajah Caruth and TRICON’s William Sawalich in positions three and four on the grid, respectively. Stewart Friesen qualified fifth.

Sixth through 10th were Nick Sanchez, Daniel Dye, spring Bristol winner Christian Eckes, Chase Purdy, and Tanner Gray.

Notables deeper in the field include Matt Crafton (11th), Grant Enfinger (15th), Layne Riggs (18th), Ty Majeski (19th), the debuting Corey Day (22nd), and defending series champion Ben Rhodes.

With 38 trucks on the property for 36 starting spots, Marco Andretti and Justin Carroll were the two drivers who failed to qualify.

The UNOH 200 presented by Ohio Logistics is slated for an 8 p.m. ET start, live on FS1, the Motor Racing Network, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90.