NXS Race Recap: Pit Boss/FoodMaxx 250

The NASCAR Xfinity Series drove across the country to Sonoma Raceway for the Pit Boss/FoodMaxx 250. Shane Van Gisbergen continued his speed from the previous week to claim the pole. Connor Zilisch joined him on the front row. Jesse Love and Sam Mayer started in the second row. Brandon Jones started the race on row four. The track is eleven turns and sits on a hill that has an elevation change of 160 feet from the highest to the lowest points. The stage lengths were 20 laps for stage one, 25 laps for stage two, and 34 laps for the finale.

Zilisch vs SVG again

SVG got a great start and jumped out to the lead. Zilisch did not give up and fought to stay with him. Mayer snatched the third spot. Daniel Dye went off track in turn two, but he was able to keep it going and got back on the track.

The front two began pulling away from the field. Zilisch took a shot at the lead in turn eleven. They drove side by side across the start/finish line. Zilisch took the lead in turn two. SVG fell to the clutches of Mayer, but was able to hold him off for second.

SVG caught the back of Zilisch as they drove up the hill. Coming down the hill, SVG used the esses to get by Zilisch to retake the lead.

Jesse Love complained over the radio, “Something is wrong.” He brought his car down pit road to troubleshoot, but had to retire the car.

The top two drove out to over an eight-second lead over Mayer in third, who was eight seconds over William Sawalich in fourth. While the field began their pit stops, SVG and Zilisch began setting their fastest laps. With three to go in the stage, they pitted for tires and fuel. Mayer assumed the lead. Zilisch was the first, out of the two of them, out of the pits. Sam Mayer got the stage one win at the Pit Boss/FoodMaxx 250!

Stage Flip for the Leaders

Zilisch and SVG brought the field back to green. They drove side by side up the hill. Zilisch took the lead. SVG tried to dive underneath Zilisch in turn seven but locked his rear tires, allowing Zilisch to scamper away in the lead. Zilisch blocked another push from SVG in turn eleven. They pulled away from Sawalich, in third, by over a second.

SVG used another run into turn eleven to get side by side with Zilisch. They drove through one and two neck and neck. SVG was able to get by Zilisch out of two to retake the lead. This allowed Sawalich to close the gap to second.

SVG used the clean air to snag the fastest lap point while pulling away from Zilisch, in second.

With ten to go in the stage, the top two were separated by half a second. They pulled away from Sawalich by over four seconds.

Zilisch used a great run through turn three to retake the lead. SVG complained that his rear tires were worn off. Zilisch quickly built his lead to over a second and a half.

Zilisch and SVG pitted with three to go in the stage. Justin Allgaier assumed the lead, but Brandon Jones quickly passed him to take the top spot. Jones would go on to win stage two in the Pit Boss/FoodMaxx 250! Allgaier and Sammy Smith finished the stage in the top three.

The Usual Suspects

SVG and Zilisch restarted on the front row. Zilisch got the better restart and took the lead into turn two. SVG stayed aggressive and got outside of the leader, which allowed Sawalich to take second.

SVG got back by Sawalich for second, and he began chasing the leader. 

Christian Eckes, after several flat left tires through the race, got tremendous damage to his nose. He nursed it back to pit road.

With twenty to go in the race, the leaders began slowing their pace. They both were close on fuel and told to save a bit to ensure the finish. They pulled away by over a second ahead of Sawalich.

Go Time

Zilisch had a lead over SVG of almost a second and a half, but as the laps wound down, SVG closed it. They pulled away from Sawalich by over four seconds. SVG started to push Zilisch, and their lap times improved. SVG complained about his rear tires again. He got to the rear bumper of the leader.

With five to go, SVG was in the rearview mirror of Zilisch. He would close the gap but could not make the pass. They had a lead over Sawalich, in third, of over ten seconds.

Corey Day got loose and off the track. He was able to drive away, and the race stayed green. Day ran Hill off the track. Hill drove onto and over the curb and into the side of Day.

SVG remained less than half a second behind Zilisch. He used his bumper in turn four, but Zilisch stayed calm. SVG continued to be aggressive but did not have enough. Zilisch ran SVG deep into turn eleven and put the power down to the checkered flag. Connor Zilisch got the job done to win the Pitt Boss/FoodMaxx 250! SVG finished in second.

Marvin’s Moment:

Connor Zilisch gained a lot of respect from me over the last two weeks. He was unfazed by SVG on his bumper. SVG used that bumper, and Zilisch did not flinch. The young driver took on the best road course racer in the sport. He isn’t even old enough to drink the wine! What a show of talent. Tune in next week as the series continues at Dover!