The Xfinity Rookie of the Year, Connor Zilisch, carried the No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet to the very extremes this year. He nailed his full-season debut with double-digit wins, having a one-sided profile compared to the entire garage. Nobody came closer to him to threaten his series’ dominance. However, Zilisch couldn’t save himself from the cruelty of the current playoff format, as he couldn’t show that same form in the one final race that mattered.

Jesse Love, his friend and rival, was the better driver that day. Dale Jr, Zilisch’s mentor, agrees with it. He knows such scenarios very well. A NASCAR Hall of Famer, he did admit the conclusion of the championship was “heartbreaking”. Zilisch’s tears didn’t stop after the race. But what can one do, from here? How do you go back to normal

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