Connor Zilisch continues Xfinity Series domination at Charlotte Motor Speedway
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(NEXSTAR) — It was a good night in Charlotte if you had the number eight on your car.

The driver of the #88 car, Connor Zilisch, won his 10th Xfinity Series race of the year, while the driver of the #8, Sammy Smith, just barely made it into the round of eight in the playoffs.

Afterwards, both drivers were feeling very good.

“It never gets old. It’s awesome to be able to do this with the entire JR Motorsports team, and especially in my hometown in Charlotte,” Zilisch said. “I always drove by this place as a kid, but I never got to stand in victory lane before.”

Though Zilisch took the victory, Smith was grateful for his chance to continue into the round of eight.

“We knew it was going to be a stretch coming in here, but we dug hard and fought and, I’m glad that we came out on top,” Smith said.

He caught a break late in the race – a late caution saved his season while simultaneously eliminating Taylor Gray knew it was right there ahead of me. I just had to go in and take it in and do everything I could. I knew, it would have had been a sucky feeling not to be able to make it in the round of eight. So I’m very proud of, our efforts and being able to do that.

In his quest for a championship, Connor Zilisch already has the record for most wins by a rookie in a season – now he’s also got his sights set on the most wins ever in a single season.

He currently has ten. The record in the Xfinity Series is 13.

The NASCAR Xfinity Series playoffs round of eight kicks off next week at Las Vegas Motor Speedway with the Focused Health 302.

You can catch that race on The CW Saturday, Oct. 11 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

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