Connor Zilisch continued to add to his impressive NASCAR Xfinity Series championship campaign on Saturday at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL™. Thanks to a blistering qualifying lap, Zilisch's bid to win the Blue Cross NC 250 will begin from the best seat in the house.

Zilisch's 96.503-mile-per-hour run in time trials was enough to clinch his eighth pole in a historic season that has already featured nine victories. Currently locked into the Round of 8 for the NASCAR Xfinity Series playoffs, the driver of the No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet also topped the charts in the first and only practice session of the afternoon, setting the tone for a strong weekend ahead.

The green flag for Saturday’s race (broadcast live on The CW) is set for 5 p.m.

“Momentum is everything in this sport,” Zilisch said of his chase for another potential victory. “We are going to put ourselves in position to win today.”

Zilisch competed in Friday’s Ecosave 250 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race, finishing fifth in a dramatic overtime finish.

“Yesterday was kind of chaotic for me," Zilisch added. "Hopefully, today can be smoother."

Joining Zilisch on the front row will be Justin Allgaier, who is also locked into the Round of 8 on points, after posting a lap of 95.984 mph.

JR Motorsports continued its dominance on the ROVAL™, sweeping the top five spots in a historic qualifying effort. Connor Mosack was third with Sammy Smith fourth and Carson Kvapil fifth.