Overview

• Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Hall of Famer and JR Motorsports co-owner, will call the shots for Connor Zilisch’s No. 88 Chevrolet in Saturday’s Explore The Pocono Mountains 250.
• Mardy Lindley received a one-race suspension and a $10,000 fine after NASCAR found two loose lug nuts during the post-race inspection at Nashville Superspeedway.
• According to Racing Reference, this is the first time an Earnhardt family member has served as a crew chief in any of NASCAR’s three national series.
• Connor Zilisch, an 18-year-old rookie locked into the Xfinity Series playoffs after his COTA victory, currently sits fifth in the championship standings.
• Earnhardt Jr. brings nearly 20 years of driving experience—including 26 Cup wins and two Daytona 500s—to guide Zilisch around Pocono’s 2.5-mile “Tricky Triangle.”