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Connor Zilisch narrowly avoids cameraman during NASCAR burnout celebration at Gateway

JHby: Jonathan Howard09/07/25Jondean25
Connor Zilisch Gateway burnout
Mandatory Credit: Joe Puetz-Imagn Images

What a night for Connor Zilisch! A big win, but a near disaster as the driver was doing his burnout celebration at Gateway. Networks have decided to have cameramen on the track during these post-race celebrations. It’s something worth reviewing.

While these are some of the best racecar drivers in the world, they are still learning. The Xfinity Series is not full of the best of the best. Even if it was, accidents can happen.

Tonight, NASCAR fans felt uneasy as Connor Zilisch slid within what seemed like inches of the cameraman on the track. Was this the close call that needs to put an end to this kind of post-race setup?

Connor Zilisch is a great driver. Thankfully, he stopped his car when and where he did. I’m not sure if he saw the cameraman, but whatever happened that caused him to stop how he did, I’m thankful. No need for a disaster like that during a celebratory night in the sport.

The CW had been doing Victory Lane interviews lately. Maybe those have gone away again, or maybe it is track-specific. It is hard to tell what the post-race is going to be like at this point. Tonight was another frontstretch interview and it almost ended in a terrible accident.

You hate to dwell on what could have been. But when it comes to safety, you kind of have to. At any rate, Connor Zilisch is the big winner and should celebrate late into the night.

Connor Zilisch wins race, regular season championship

There is only one thing left on Connor Zilisch’s 2025 checklist after tonight. He wins at Gateway and claims the Xfinity Series regular season title. Nine wins this NASCAR season are a record for a rookie driver. Another accolade to add to Zilisch’s Wikipedia page.

No matter how it got done, Connor Zilisch has four wins in a row. Parker Kligerman finished the Daytona race and win, but Zilisch gets the credit for starting the race. Only Sam Ard and Noah Gragson have won four races in a row in the Xfinity Series before.

Appreciate what you are watching, folks. 14 races in a row with top-five finishes. Eight wins in that time, four pole awards. We are witnessing greatness in the making. 121 laps out front tonight, Zilisch fended off the field with late restarts in this race.

What a race, what a regular season. This is his championship to lose now.