Zilisch wins for first time on oval after battle with Love

Connor Zilisch beat Jesse Love in the final meters of the Explore the Pocono Mountains 250 to celebrate his first oval track victory. The JR Motorsports driver took the lead with three laps to go after an intense duel with his best friend, who finished second.

Earnhardt coordinates strategy and participates in pit stops

Dale Earnhardt Jr. took control of the #88 due to Mardy Lindley's penalty. The team owner directed from the pitwall and physically assisted with fuel stops.

"We got really lucky, good race strategy, a little help from Steve Letarte," Earnhardt commented after becoming the fifth debutant team owner to win this season. "Connor Zilisch is going to be important in this sport for a long time."

Photo By Nascar Media

The rookie had two second places at Charlotte and Nashville

Zilisch had narrowly lost victories at both oval tracks this season. At Pocono he maintained the necessary distance until the checkered flag.

"I've been dying for this win for a while, I've been so close on ovals lately," expressed Zilisch. "This is very special. I've been chasing an oval win for a long time."

Incident between Elliott and Allgaier opens door for Love

Elliott led 38 laps and Zilisch 34 during the race. The contact between the two veterans allowed Love to take the lead with 13 laps remaining.

The subsequent caution flag placed Zilisch directly behind Love for the final restart. "That was maximum concentration I've ever had in a race car, I didn't want Connor to beat me because I'd have to hear about it for a long time," Love joked.

Eckes achieves his first top 3 of the year with Kaulig

The #16 driver completed the podium after a solid race. Elliott recovered to fourth place after the incident that took him out of the lead.

Carson Kvapil, Sam Mayer, Sammy Smith, Taylor Gray and Justin Allgaier completed the top 10. Allgaier maintains an 82-point lead over Austin Hill, who finished 35th after being involved in an early accident.

Next stop in Atlanta

The series will visit Atlanta Motor Speedway on Friday night for the Focused Health 250. Hill has won the last three races at that track, including the most recent one in February.