\u201cEvery week I show up thinking, Man, this is going to be the weekend that we just run eighth.\u201d Connor Zilisch added this apprehension in his recent post-victory interview. The No. 88 JR Motorsports driver clinched his 10th Xfinity Series career win at Gateway and thereby won the regular season championship. He enters the playoffs with a solid 59-point playoff advantage. However, veterans of the NASCAR garage, including his team owner, Dale Jr., are biting their nails.<\/p>\n
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NASCAR currently follows the playoff format that has been part of a hot debate. Last year, Kyle Larson won 6 Cup Series races and yet could not crack the Championship 4. Back in 2010, Denny Hamlin won 10 races only to admit defeat to Jimmie Johnson in the final race. These past instances are keeping Dale Jr. on the edge of his seat about Connor Zilisch.<\/p>\n
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Dale Jr. sees a potential blip on the radar<\/p>\n
Ever since the 19-year-old phenom debuted in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, he has been on fire. From clinching his debut race trophy in Watkins Glen to winning four consecutive races as a rookie, Zilisch\u2019s streak has been almost invincible. Yet keep note of that word I used \u2013 \u2018almost\u2019. Zilisch is inching closer to Kyle Busch\u2019s record of 13 Xfinity Series trophies in 2010 \u2013 but Busch did not clinch the championship this season. Similarly, although Zilisch\u2019s endeavor is proving to be steamingly hot, NASCAR\u2019s playoff format might come in his way. The system allows for a wildcard title winner, as anybody can come and steal Zilisch\u2019s sparkle by the end of the season if the youngster makes a small mistake.<\/p>\n
That is why Denny Hamlin, who is still waiting for a Cup Series title in two decades, professed his apprehensions for Zilisch recently.<\/a> And that is why Dale Jr. also concurred. In a recent Dale Jr Download episode, the JR Motorsports team owner said Zilisch\u2019s flawless execution may have to bow to NASCAR\u2019s cutthroat playoff format. \u201cI\u2019m on pins and needles because I don\u2019t know how long they can keep this going,\u201d he said. \u201cWhen you get to the finals, he\u2019s going to win it, not having somebody sneak up in there and take it away from you. That happens from time to time. Denny talked about this on his podcast\u2026\u2019Man, I got a feeling. That 88\u2019s gonna win 10 races and lose the championship. Just because of the format.’\u201d<\/p>\n ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n View this post on Instagram<\/p>\n