NASCAR Xfinity Series qualifying canceled, Connor Zilisch on pole at Daytona

Coming off of his injury, Connor Zilisch is on the pole at Daytona, but only because of the lightning in the area. Zilisch is expected to drop to the rear and likely pull off to let Parker Kligerman finish the NASCAR Xfinity Series race.

With Connor Zilisch fresh off surgery on his collarbone, JR Motorsports and Trackhouse Racing don’t want to take any risks. Zilisch has 11 straight top-five finishes. If he starts the race, he will still receive any points that Kligerman may earn with his finish.

Qualifying was underway, but lightning came back to finish things off. We’re going to have a touch-and-go night tonight with the weather in Daytona.

NEWS: The remainder of Kennametal Pole qualifying at @DAYTONA has been canceled due to weather.

The lineup will be set per the rule book.

— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) August 22, 2025

With Connor Zilisch being injured, he is likely to drop back to the rear. Then, after completing an official lap in the race, he will take his first chance to pit and change out with Kligerman. We know that Kligerman is a talented superspeedway racer. His first chance to get into JR Motorsports equipment comes under interesting circumstances.

Looking through the field, drivers like Justin Haley, Ryan Sieg, and Sheldon Creed are all starting in the back half of the field. Aric Almirola will start P29. Full starting lineup below:

Connor Zilisch on the pole after rain/lightning cancels NASCAR Xfinity Series qualifying at Daytona. pic.twitter.com/qPnzo7zq8x

— Jonathan Howard (@Jondean25) August 22, 2025

The plan today for Zilisch is strategic. He has a seven-point lead on Justin Allgaier for the regular season championship. Any points that he can earn today via Kligerman will go to help him secure that championship ahead of the playoffs.

It definitely helps that Connor Zilisch can go to Portland next week and pick up another big points day on a road course. For now, he will play it safe.

Connor Zilisch earns pole when he can’t use it

Is there anything worse than earning a pole position when you can’t utilize it? Some of the most disappointing results in qualifying are when a driver is slated to start up front but, for one reason or another, needs to go to the rear. Adjustments, repairs to the car, or an injured driver trying to make it another week without reinjuring himself.

There are so many reasons that can take a driver from the pole to the back of the field. This could be good news for Sammy Smith, Austin Hill, Sam Mayer, and others. Hill has to be the one to watch. Not only is it a superspeedway, but Hill has been under fire lately and is going to be looking to flip the script.

Connor Zilisch and his collarbone won’t be on the track very long. Tonight, Parker Kligerman will try to be a Super Sub and get the win for the 88 team.