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Bristol Today
By the People, for the People
Connor Zilisch Beats Kyle Larson for Bristol O'Reilly Win
Young driver reveals what Larson told him after the race
Apr. 15, 2026 at 4:51pm
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The raw energy and competitive spirit of NASCAR racing come alive in a vibrant, expressionist painting capturing the thrilling duel between rising star Connor Zilisch and veteran Kyle Larson.Bristol TodayConnor Zilisch earned his first win at Bristol Motor Speedway in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series race on Saturday, holding off veteran driver Kyle Larson. Zilisch revealed that Larson congratulated him on the win and they laughed about the strategy call that led to Zilisch's victory.
Why it matters
Zilisch's win over the highly successful Larson is a significant accomplishment for the young driver, who has struggled in his limited Cup Series starts this season. The interaction between the two drivers also highlights the camaraderie and sportsmanship within the NASCAR community.
The details
Zilisch held off Larson, who led 230 of the 300 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 or not, which had cost Larson the win. Larson acknowledged it was 'a bummer' to lose, but said he had 'a lot of fun' and was 'happy with the run.' In the following day's Cup Series race at Bristol, Zilisch finished 33rd while Larson placed third.
- On Saturday, April 13, 2026, Zilisch won the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway.
- On Sunday, April 14, 2026, Zilisch finished 33rd in the NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway, while Larson placed third.
The players
Connor Zilisch
A young NASCAR driver who earned his first win at Bristol Motor Speedway in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series race on Saturday, April 13, 2026.
Kyle Larson
A veteran NASCAR driver who finished second to Zilisch in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Bristol on Saturday, April 13, 2026.
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 to gain experience in the NASCAR Cup Series, while Larson will aim to bounce back in the next race.
The takeaway
Zilisch's victory over the accomplished Larson shows the young driver's potential, and their friendly exchange after the race exemplifies the camaraderie and sportsmanship that makes NASCAR such a compelling sport for fans.
