By Andy Walter

DOVER — Connor Zilisch knew that trying to tame the Monster Mile on Friday was going to be a challenge.

Of course, when you’re only 17 and trying to make it as a professional race car driver, everything is a challenge.

But Zilisch ended his day in Victory Lane after registering his first career ARCA win in the General Tire 150 ARCA Menards Series race at Dover Motor Speedway

“Those first 70 laps, I was pretty intimidated,” said Zilisch, who is a development driver for Trackhouse Racing. “I just needed to get on the gas. This isn’t the easiest place to make your oval debut. To come here and not only run all the laps but get a win is exciting. These are the places I feel like I need to get better.

“I couldn’t make any ground [for a while]. The restarts were hectic, but we kept it together. I feel like our preparation is paying off.”

Giovanni Ruggiero placed second in the joint ARCA Menards Series/East race, Carson Kvapil was third, Lavar Scott came in fourth and Andres Perez was fifth.

William Sawalich, who set a qualifying record earlier Friday, spun exiting Turn 3 late in the race following a bump from Zilisch. Zilisch took over the lead from there.

“I definitely think I made a mistake there,” Zilisch said. “I do think I could have done something differently there to keep him in the race. I got a little tight and I got up into him. I will apologize to him.”

Midway through the race, big hits seconds apart against the wall from Christian Rose (exiting Turn 4) and Amber Balcaen (along the frontstretch) brought out the red flag.. Balcaen suffered a foot injury in the crash.

“Not really sure what happened — [the car] just went straight on me,” Rose said. “It was a big hit. They call this place ‘The Monster’ for a reason.”

Cup qualifying

The Cup Series drivers are scheduled to hit the track today at 10:30 a.m. for practice with qualifying slated for 11:20 a.m.

Kyle Larsen goes into Sunday’s Wurth 400 as the series points leader with Martin Truex, Jr. in second

Jimmie Johnson in 2010 was the last pole-winner to go on to win the Cup race at Dover. On the other hand, 11 Dover winners since 2010 have started the race fourth or better.

Of the 43 drivers who have won a pole on the Monster Mile, eight are slated to be in action this weekend. Of that group, Denny Hamlin has the most with four followed by Johnson and Truex, Jr. with three apiece.

Jones gets Xfinity pole

Brandon Jones was top qualifier for the BetRivers 200 NASCAR Xfinity Series Dash 4 Cash race on Friday.

The 27-year-old Atlanta native took the pole with a top speed of 156.863 mph.
It’s the third time that Jones has qualified first at Dover. He’ll be out front for the Xfinity race, which is slated to start at 1:30 p.m. today (FS1).

“The track kept getting hotter so I was a little surprised we held for the pole,” Jones said.

“We’re on fire right now. It’s going to be all about holding our track position. If we stay in the top five through all stages, we’ll be in position for the win.”
Jones is currently 13th in the series points standings.

Riley Herbst was second in qualifying, followed by Justin Allgaier in third, Austin Hill in fourth and Sheldon Creed in fifth.

Pit stops

*The driver autograph sessions slated for today include:
10:30 a.m.: Justin Allgaier, Sammy Smith, Brandon Jones, Sam Mayer, Carson Kvapil, JRM/Legacy Trailer
10:40 a.m.: Jesse Love and Austin Hill, Richard Childress Racing Rig
10:45 a.m.: Cole Custer, Ford Performance Rig
10:45 a.m.: Riley Herbst, Ford Performance Rig.

• Seven drivers have already earned a spot in the Cup Playoffs by virtue of winning a race this season. That means nine spots are still available.
• *Air Force 2nd Lt. Madison Marsh, Miss America 2024, is among the dignitaries to be honored before Sunday’s race. She will serve as the honorary pace car official as well as making an 11:15 a.m. appearance at the Monster Monument in Victory Plaza.
• *The grand marshalls for Sunday’s race are four combat aviation veterans: Air Force Maj. (Ret.) Elester Latham; Navy Lt. (Ret.) Jim Lloyd; Navy Cmdr. (Ret.) Jack Gillett; and Navy Lt. (Ret.) Bill Moir.
• *Some of the other celebrities scheduled to be on hand are NASCAR legends Richard Petty and Donnie Allison as well as NFL players Brandon Graham and Alvin Kamara.
• *Sunday’s race will be the 106th Cup race at Dover.