Under the bright lights of Phoenix Raceway, what was meant to be Connor Zilisch’s coronation turned into a cruel twist of fate. The 2025 NASCAR Xfinity finale had all the makings of a perfect ending. It had a rookie phenom leading the charge, a season stacked with ten victories, and a car that looked untouchable for most of the night. But as the laps wound down, Zilisch’s tires began to fade, his grip slipping away just as Jesse Love closed in.
With 25 laps to go, the championship slipped through his fingers. Zilisch crossed the line third, and while his face was calm, his heart shattered. Yet, amid that heartbreak, one moment of unexpected sportsmanship would leave an impression far deeper than the trophy itself.
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Jesse Love praises Connor Zilisch’s class and composure
In the heat of a championship battle, emotions often run high. But for Jesse Love, what stood out most wasn’t the win; it was Connor Zilisch’s grace in defeat. Moments after the checkered flag waved at Phoenix, Zilisch walked over to Victory Lane to congratulate the new champion. “He got to see me in Victory Lane after the race, and that was very cool,” Love revealed on the NASCAR Live podcast.
“It’s something I did not expect out of him. I thought he was gonna come see me, but I wasn’t gonna expect it,” he added further. And Love is right. Zilisch had a dream 2025 season. Ten victories. The most top fives, the most poles, the most laps led. The 2025 season was almost perfect.
To lose the championship in the final moments was surely heartbreaking. Zilisch was visibly emotional after the race. Tears welled as he whispered on the radio, “I’m sorry,” as the chequered flag fell. He was later seen slouching by his car, tears still rolling down his face. And then to go talk to Love to congratulate him after all this showed maturity beyond his years. At that moment, he wasn’t a 19-year-old in his first full-time season.
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That mutual respect deepened later that weekend. “I can imagine the emotions he was going through, must be really tough. We had a good conversation at the AirBnB on Sunday night after the Cup race,” Love revealed. “Had a good talk about it. I wanted to hear what he had to say, and he wanted to hear what I wanted to say…I am really proud of the way he handled it.”
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Well, this shouldn’t come as a surprise as their friendship goes back years, long before the championship stage. Jesse Love and Zilisch first crossed paths in 2021 through Toyota’s development program at Trackhouse Motorplex, where Zilisch was coaching young go-kart drivers, including Love. At first, Love admits he wasn’t sure what to make of him.
But once he saw Connor Zilisch’s lightning pace on the karting circuit, that skepticism turned into respect. From there, their connection only grew stronger. Off-track, they’re genuine friends; on-track, fierce rivals. Whether pushing each other to be faster or checking in after tough moments, like when Love reached out after Zilisch’s crash at Talladega, their relationship is built on mutual admiration.
Love believes Zilisch’s maturity will carry him far. “I’m proud of the season he had and the seasons he’s going to have in the future in the Cup deal,” Love said. With Zilisch set to move full-time into the NASCAR Cup Series with Trackhouse in 2026, his story is far from over. In fact, it’s just entering its next chapter.
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Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s heartfelt send-off to Connor Zilisch
After a season spent under Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s JR Motorsports banner, Zilisch is moving up to the NASCAR Cup Series. And he’ll do so behind the wheel of the iconic No. 88 car for Trackhouse Racing. But before he could officially begin that new chapter, his former boss made sure the handoff meant something.
Dale Jr. sent Zilisch a personal letter – a gesture filled with pride, nostalgia, and symbolism. Shared by reporter Taylor Kitchen on X, the message captured the depth of Earnhardt’s connection to the number and his admiration for Zilisch’s growth. “Dear Connor,” the letter began, “The #88 has always carried a little extra meaning for me. It’s not just a number. It’s a legacy, defined by guys like Darrell Waltrip, Dale Jarrett, and most recently, SVG. I had a lot of great years driving that number. You ignited a new chapter with the 88, one written in your own style.”
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The entire NASCAR community knows that for Earnhardt Jr., the #88 represents far more than digits on a car. It’s the number he carried through some of his proudest moments, from his 2014 Daytona 500 win to his farewell victory at Phoenix in 2015. After Alex Bowman switched to the No. 48 in 2021, the number went dormant until Trackhouse revived it in 2025 for Shane van Gisbergen.
SVG honored it with five wins before switching to the No. 97 for 2026, a nod to his father, Robert, who raced with the same number 97. The announcement featured a voiceover from Robert himself, which made SVG quite emotional. Even Kurt Busch, who once drove the iconic number, sent a heartfelt message to SVG. Now the 88’s legacy is ready for its next torchbearer.
That torch now belongs to Zilisch. After a breakout Xfinity season with 10 wins and a heartbreaking near-miss at the title, he’ll definitely carry the No. 88 into NASCAR’s top ranks. For fans, it’s the return of an iconic number; for Dale Jr., it’s watching the future of his legacy hit full throttle.