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Dale Jr’s Xfinity Sensation ‘Learned Speed’ Making It Two in a Row at Kansas

Published 05/04/2024, 9:23 PM EDT

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25-year-old Connor Mosack claimed his second career ARCA Menards Series victory with back-to-back masterclasses at Kansas Speedway. The former Joe Gibbs Racing driver and future JR Motorsports driver bested pole-winner and current JGR driver Tanner Gray, who led more than 75 laps of the Tide 150.

Ironically, Mosack’s debut victory in ARCA came with none other than Coach Gibbs’s gloried organization at the Kansas Speedway. Nevertheless, Pinnacle Racing Group’s #28 battled to victory lane for the second consecutive week this season after Conor Zilisch’s maiden ARCA win at Dover last Sunday.

Mosack, who is also the 2020 CARS Tour Rookie of the Year, kicked off his Kansas advance qualifying in P7 behind a freshly recovered Amber Balcaen in the sixth spot. Steadily making his way to the front of the pack, the #28 driver passed a dominant all-day Tanner Gray with just 13 laps to go after the race’s final restart, brought about by Fast Track Racing’s Ryan Roulette.

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Connor Mosack steals the Kansas victory from Tanner Gray.

Following steady momentum from a P4 at the Phoenix ARCA race in March, Connor Mosack’s Kansas victory marks his fifth straight top-5 finish in NASCAR’s feeder series.

In his victorious post-race interview with Heather DeBeaux of FOX, the winner put the majority of credit on his team’s preparations and dedication, stating, “This one means a lot. Obviously, in order to go back-to-back with two different teams and then to do it again with the family team. This means a lot to see how hard the guys work. Even on Sundays, they are there. It’s awesome to see and I am just proud of this group. And it’s awesome to get another one here.”

 

 

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The team has also fielded Kiwi superstar Shane van Gisbergen’s entry at the 2024 Daytona season opener in the #28 car and Carson Kvapil, who finished P3 in the #82 Chevrolet last weekend at Dover. It is safe to say that PRG has been striving for greatness successfully in its short span of competing in ARCA.

However, as Mosack prepares for his double duty at Kansas with Spire Motorsports’ #7 Chevy Silverado, he also explains the newfound perspectives gained on the racetrack heading into the Heart of America 250 Truck Series race on Saturday. He stated, “I kind of learned, when I’m free, how to make speed. But we got pretty tight there, the second half of that first run. And fell back, then I kind of figured out what the car needed to be fast when it’s tight like that. So I feel like that is something that will definitely help us out tonight.”

Looking ahead to a busy 2024 season

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Considering the Charlotte, NC native’s relatively short racing journey started only a few years ago in 2018 when he was only 19, Mosack has certainly grown by leaps and bounds, as he will also look forward to a part-time Xfinity Series stint in JR Motorsports’ iconic #88 car come July. His final race with Dale Jr’s team in 2024 is expected to be the Alsco Uniforms 302 in Vegas, which also marks the beginning of the Round of 8 eliminations.

Nevertheless, the ARCA season will be on pause for a few weeks until it returns to the Charlotte Motor Speedway (in Mosack’s backyard) for the General Tire 150 on May 25th. The excitement in Kansas will now continue with the Craftsman Truck Series on Saturday evening, followed by the Advent Health 400 Cup Series race on Sunday.

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Written by:

Amman Augustin

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Amman Augustin is a NASCAR Writer at EssentiallySports. With his coverage majorly focusing on the lavish off-track lives of drivers, Amman often brings the lesser-known side of Denny Hamlin and Kevin Harvick to their fans. Another aspect of NASCAR where he flourishes is covering rivalries between competitors.
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Edited by:

Shivali Nathta