Connor Zilisch's last-lap gamble costs him a Watkins Glen sweep
Connor Zilisch fell short of a 'Tripleheader Sweep' at Watkins Glen after a last-lap pass cost him the win. The young driver had dominated much of the Bully Hill Vineyards 176 but lost the lead in overtime. His decision on the final restart played a key role in the outcome.
Zilisch led the most laps during the race, showing strong pace throughout. But when the final restart arrived, he chose the outside lane—a move he later admitted he regretted. Kaden Honeycutt took advantage, surging past him on the inside to claim victory.
The result continues a tough run for Zilisch in the Justin Marks-owned NASCAR team. Across 11 starts, he has managed only three top-20 finishes, with his best result being 14th at COTA. Despite the setback, his weekend was far from over, as he still had two more races scheduled: one in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and another in the NASCAR Cup Series.
The loss ended Zilisch’s hopes of sweeping all three races at Watkins Glen. His choice of lane on the final restart proved decisive, handing Honeycutt the win. With two more races ahead, Zilisch will look to rebound after a disappointing finish.
