The ghosts of NASCAR’s past stirred at Rockingham Speedway this weekend as “The Rock” hosted its first Xfinity Series race in 21 years. The historic 0.94-mile oval, once a cornerstone of the sport’s calendar until 2004, welcomed a new generation of drivers eager to etch their names alongside legends like Richard Petty. JR Motorsports arrived with momentum after their teenage sensations Connor Zilisch and Carson Kvapil dominated practice sessions on Friday, posting blistering times of 23.052 and 22.899 seconds, respectively. The stage was set for Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s young protégés to continue their ascent at the track where the Petty name remains royalty.
But NASCAR’s cruel unpredictability lurked beneath Saturday’s qualifying session. As drivers prepared their machines for the North Carolina Education Lottery 250, the buzz around the garage centered on JR Motorsports’ potential front-row lockout. With Kvapil’s practice-leading pace and Zilisch’s rapid improvement curve, fans wondered if these teenagers might replicate the magic that once made Rockingham a theater for NASCAR’s greatest storylines. The returning veteran Kasey Kahne, who expressed his excitement about competing at the track again, added another compelling thread to the unfolding drama.
Triumph and Tribulation
When the qualifying dust settled, 18-year-old Connor Zilisch had captured the pole position with a remarkable 22.630-second lap time, edging Parker Retzlaff by just one one-thousandth of a second. However, what should have been a moment of pure celebration for the JR Motorsports team quickly transformed into disbelief. NASCAR officials discovered the #88 car’s right-rear tire had gone flat during his qualifying run. An invisible handicap that made his achievement even more impressive, but would come with significant consequences.
“It went flat right off of four,” Zilisch told The CW Sports, visibly frustrated by the turn of events. “Frustrating. You qualify in the pole and have to start at the back.” NASCAR officials confirmed that Zilisch’s team would need to change the flat tire before the race, triggering the “unapproved adjustments” rule that mandates relinquishing his pole position and dropping to the rear of the field for the start of the NASCAR race.
The setback came at a particularly challenging venue for making up positions. Zilisch now faced the daunting task of navigating through 32 competitors on Rockingham’s abrasive surface – a track notorious for making passes difficult. This development added another chapter to what has been a roller-coaster 2025 season for the teenager. Having notched up a win at COTA, he wanted to carry on the momentum, but the qualifying setback might restrict him from a solid outing at the Rock.
With Zilisch’s forced retreat, the starting grid underwent a significant reshuffling. Per NASCAR rules, the inside row moved up, positioning Nick Sanchez on the front row alongside Parker Retzlaff, who missed the pole by the slimmest of margins. Kasey Kahne, making his celebrated return to NASCAR’s national series, benefited from the adjustment by advancing to a third-place starting position – a spot that put the veteran in a prime position to challenge for his first NASCAR victory since 2017.
No one gets lane choice for the start of the race when the pole-sitter has to drop to the rear. The inside row moves up. https://t.co/Ok422Sghpi
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) April 19, 2025
While Zilisch’s story dominated headlines, another disappointing outcome unfolded further down the qualifying order. Katherine Legge, who had shown steady improvement during Friday’s practice session in the No. 32 Chevrolet for Jordan Anderson Racing, failed to qualify for the race after falling short of the top-32 threshold. The British racer, scheduled to compete in seven Xfinity races this season, joined Dawson Cram as both of them will watch the race from the sidelines.
Legge’s disqualification continued Rockingham’s reputation as one of NASCAR’s most technical and unforgiving venues. The track’s unique characteristics – its abrasive surface that chews through tires and distinctive banking that rewards experience – have historically separated the field into those who can tame “The Rock” and those who struggle to find its rhythm. As the North Carolina Education Lottery 250 approaches its 4 p.m. ET green flag on Saturday, viewers tuning in to The CW, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio will witness if Zilisch can overcome adversity to write his name in Rockingham’s storied history books, or if veterans like Kahne can recapture past glory on a track that has always rewarded those who respect its challenges.
From Pole Position Drama to Soapbox Shenanigans
While Zilisch navigates the disappointment of his pole position setback, his relationship with team owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. extends beyond the traditional NASCAR boundaries. Just days before the Rockingham qualifying drama, the pair showcased their chemistry in a hilarious Red Bull promotional video where they tested their bluffing skills in a game of “Soapbox or Lie?” The entertaining clip, released ahead of the Red Bull Soapbox Race’s televised debut on April 29, featured both drivers attempting to distinguish between real and fictional outrageous soapbox designs. From giant purple monsters to aerodynamic red chilli peppers, with neither racing expert immune to falling for a convincing bluff.
Earnhardt, who has been announced as the new American voice for the Red Bull Soapbox Race alongside motorsports announcer Mike Bagley, explained his attraction to the unconventional racing format: “I knew the energy had to be big, fun, and a little crazy. I’ve seen these races before, and there’s always something wild happening—spectacular crashes, hilarious themes, and people determined to make it to the finish line, no matter what’s left of their soapbox.”
Well, Jr.’s driver, Zilisch, will now need to implement a similar strategy for the Xfinity race at Rockingham. He will need a miracle to find his way through the traffic to get a chance to win the race.
The post Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s NASCAR Driver Forced to Back Out Despite Pole, Female Drive Disqualified appeared first on EssentiallySports.
