Connor Zilisch headed to Portland International Raceway with momentum and the pole, riding a standout stretch in the Xfinity Series as he eyes not only another road-course win but also the regular-season title.
The WeatherTech Chevrolet driver sits on the pole for the Portland road-course race after a season that has seen him dominate the road courses and stack wins. Zilisch has already won at Circuit of the Americas, Sonoma, and Watkins Glen, and he was just behind SVG in Chicago. He’ll be looking to add wins to a resume that already includes six pole awards this season, seven victories, and an impressive 12 straight top-five finishes. He pointed out that his highlight reel keeps growing as the year goes on, and his confidence is clear as he heads into today’s race.
Zilisch has lived up to lofty expectations this season, with a noticeable shift after a back injury at Talladega that some observers noted as a turning point. Since then, he has been nearly flawless, and there aren’t many milestones left to chase in the Xfinity Series this year.
This weekend’s title fight remains tight. Zilisch and Justin Allgaier—the two leaders battling for the regular-season crown—will start on the front row, with Zilisch on pole and Allgaier right beside him. Allgaier reclaimed the lead after Daytona, but Zilisch has narrowed the gap in the second half of the year, turning Portland into a pivotal chapter for the title picture. Sam Mayer, just 29 points back, remains within striking distance and will be looking for any slip to seize the opportunity.
Today’s road-course race features a twist: non-competitive pit stops. There will be no shortening stages to flip the field; instead, the fastest cars are expected to stay up front as long as they can manage the pit road. It should reward strong pace, clean execution, and minimal missteps, with strategy playing a critical but different role than in past Portland events.
Fans and analysts will watch closely to see if Allgaier can challenge Zilisch early, or if Mayer can capitalize on any hiccup from the leaders. With the pace Zilisch has shown and his road-course prowess, Portland could be another stage in a season that’s been built on consistency and peak performance.
Why this matters: Zilisch’s continued success on road courses keeps him squarely in the mix for a regular-season championship narrative, while the unique pit-stop format at Portland adds an extra layer of strategy to an already high-stakes weekend.
Summary: Zilisch arrives at Portland as the man to beat on road courses, leading the charge in pursuit of the regular-season title, with a front-row start and a track that rewards pace, precision, and a clean pits performance.
Possible positive note: If Zilisch can translate pole-to-win in Portland, it could solidify his case as the frontrunner for the regular-season crown and extend a season-long trend of high-level performance on road courses.
Would-be watchers should expect a competitive battle with Allgaier and Mayer pushing hard, but with Zilisch’s recent form and track record on these layouts, he’ll be a primary candidate to plate another victory in a campaign that continues to build momentum.