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Shane van Gisbergen praises 'great young driver' Connor Zilisch after duel in Chicago Xfinity race

JHby: Jonathan Howard07/05/25Jondean25
Shane van Gisbergen Chicago Xfinity win
Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images

An epic battle between Shane van Gisbergen and Connor Zilisch played out at the end of the Xfinity Series Chicago Street Race. SVG has clearly learned the ins and outs of NASCAR in his short time in America.

Shane van Gisbergen put his door on Connor Zilisch going into Turn 1 on the final restart, two laps to go in the race. It was a bold move that paid off. Zilisch hit the wall on exit, and SVG was able to speed off and avoid retaliation.

The two drivers are Trackhouse Racing teammates and today, JR Motorsports teammates. But on the final restart of a race as important as the Chicago Street Race, the gloves are off. Still, after the finish, SVG was highly complimentary of Zilisch.

“Yeah, he’s a great young driver and first time I’ve really raced him, and I knew that was my opportunity and took it,” van Gisbergen said of Zilisch. “Yeah, it was awesome one-two for the team.”

Right now, Shane van Gisbergen is on a roll. He has two pole awards and a win this weekend. One more race this weekend to complete the sweep. One more step to go.

Connor Zilisch on Shane van Gisbergen’s winning move

Following the finish, Zilisch was asked about the contact made between the two going into Turn 1 on the restart. Shane van Gisbergen used him up a bit, and Zilisch hit the wall on exit. The 88 car never got back to the 9 to make a retaliatory move or bump-and-run.

“I guess I should have just not let him get to my bottom. I was clear there just barely on the front straight and yeah, just let him get to my inside and took advantage of it,” Zilisch said on The CW broadcast. “So, yeah, I hate it for my 88 group. I should have just been a little more aggressive there.

“I just thought he was going to race me a little cleaner. So, yeah, I’ll learn from it. Move on. Really cool to have Red Bull WeatherTech schemes, one-two. … So, yeah, looking forward to getting back after it.”

It was a great battle at the end. Just good old-fashioned NASCAR racing. Nothing was egregious about the contact, but Connor Zilisch didn’t expect it to come from Shane van Gisbergen. To be fair, van Gisbergen came by to give Zilisch a fist bump during the interview.