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Bristol Today
By the People, for the People
Connor Zilisch Beats Kyle Larson for Bristol O'Reilly Win
Zilisch reveals what Larson told him after the race
Apr. 15, 2026 at 5:08pm
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A cubist interpretation of the intense on-track battle between rising star Connor Zilisch and veteran Kyle Larson at Bristol Motor Speedway.Bristol TodayConnor Zilisch earned his first win at Bristol Motor Speedway in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series race on Saturday, holding off Kyle Larson who led 230 of the 300 laps. Zilisch revealed that after the race, Larson congratulated him and they laughed about the decision to pit or not during the event.
Why it matters
Zilisch's victory over the dominant Larson is a significant accomplishment, as the young driver continues to make a name for himself in the NASCAR ranks. The interaction between the two drivers also provides insight into the camaraderie and sportsmanship within the sport.
The details
Zilisch held off Larson, who led the majority of the laps, to earn his 12th career O'Reilly win. After the race, Zilisch said Larson told him 'Good job' and they laughed about the decision to pit, with Larson saying 'Why the hell did you pit? We lost that race doing the exact same thing last year.' Larson expressed disappointment in finishing second but said he had a lot of fun racing Zilisch for the win.
- The NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series race took place on Saturday, April 15, 2026 at Bristol Motor Speedway.
- Zilisch earned his first win at Bristol Motor Speedway with this victory.
The players
Connor Zilisch
A rising young driver in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series who earned his 12th career win by beating Kyle Larson at Bristol.
Kyle Larson
A veteran NASCAR Cup Series driver who led the majority of the laps at Bristol but finished second to Zilisch in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series race.
What they’re saying
“He just said, 'Good job,' and I gave Mardy some s***. I was like, 'Why the hell did you pit? We lost that race doing the exact same thing last year.' He laughed.”
— Connor Zilisch, NASCAR Driver
“It's a bummer, but I had a lot of fun tonight. Our car was really good. Just tough being the leader in that situation of knowing to pit or not... But I'm happy with the run. It just doesn't always work out.”
— Kyle Larson, NASCAR Driver
What’s next
Zilisch will look to build on his Bristol win as he continues his quest for his first NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series championship. Larson will aim to bounce back at the next Cup Series race.
The takeaway
Zilisch's victory over the dominant Larson shows the young driver's talent and competitiveness, while the interaction between the two drivers highlights the camaraderie and sportsmanship that exists in NASCAR. This result could be a springboard for Zilisch's career as he seeks to establish himself as a top contender in the sport.
