Connor Zilisch wins Rockingham pole, full Xfinity Series qualifying results

While Connor Zilisch won the pole in Xfinity Series qualifying at Rockingham, he immediately lost his starting spot. Zilisch beat Parker Retzlaff by one thousandth of a second. Kasey Kahne is also making his NASCAR return.

Good news for Parker Retzlaff, he basically gets to start on the pole. It just won’t go down that way in the record books. Connor Zilisch is the pole winner, but when the race begins, he will have to move to the rear of the field.

A ton of excitement in the Xfinity Series’ return to Rockingham. First, ARCA East and then the main event.

The Xfinity Series drivers have to start on the tires that they qualified on. With his right rear tire going flat in Turn 4, Zilisch has to make a change. Therefore, he loses his starting spot and goes to the back.

.@ConnorZilisch wins the pole for The Rock but will have to start from the rear due to a tire change. #XfinitySeries pic.twitter.com/msdPOvdO7s

— The CW Sports (@TheCW_Sports) April 19, 2025

This is the second time that Connor Zilisch has won the pole at an oval. While he is known for his road course prowess, he has picked up traditional NASCAR racing and skills very quickly.

There seemed to be a lack of speed from the rest of the JR Motorsports cars. Carson Kvapil qualified all the way down in P25. Kasey Kahne, in the RCR No. 33, outqualified his two teammates and will start P4/P3 once Zilisch drops to the back.

This is going to be a very exciting race. Here are the full qualifying results from Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports.

Xfinity race lineup for later this afternoon at Rockingham: pic.twitter.com/GwCqM6VhOa

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) April 19, 2025

Last night, the NASCAR Truck Series officially rang in the new era of racing at Rockingham. I think today’s Xfinity Series race is going to solidify The Rock on the Xfinity/Truck schedule, and hopefully, put it in rotation for the Cup Series one day. Whether that is a points race, All-Star Race, or Clash – I’ll take any of them.

Connor Zilisch getting more comfortable

The Xfinity Series season has not been great for rookie Connor Zilisch. Then again, with a win at COTA, can he complain? That win secured his spot in the playoffs. Now he has to work on the rest of his craft to be ready for that playoff run.

This is the second pole in four weeks, the third pole of the season, for Zilisch. He had good runs at Darlington and Bristol, but is having trouble closing these races out. Today, he will have to be patient as he works his way from the back of the field.

This Rockingham track is new to almost everyone. Even the few drivers who had raced there before are walking into a newly repaved version of this track. The lap times are insanely fast, a great mix of young and veteran talent, and a story of return for one of the sport’s most beloved figures – what more could you ask for?

Connor Zilisch will drop to the rear and get to work from there. Are we going to see him make his way to the front and contend for the win later this evening?