Zilisch, van Gisbergen eliminated early in San Diego

Trackhouse Racing lost both its aces, and the NASCAR Cup Series race lost two of the expected favorites in one crash at Naval Base Coronado.

Connor Zilisch was leading Sunday’s race when he was run into the Turn 1 wall by Austin Hill. Hill took responsibility for the incident and admitted he locked up the brakes. The crash occurred on lap 32 off a restart.

Shane van Gisbergen was third and had nowhere to go when the leaders got together. There were nine drivers who ended up with a piece of the incident.

“It’s just unfortunate to end the day like that for both Red Bull Chevrolet’s with Shane and I,” said Zilisch. “We had a really fast car today. We got out front, and it felt really good, but that’s how it goes sometimes.”

Zilisch, who qualified eighth, had taken the lead on lap 23. It was the first time he had led laps (eight total) in the Cup Series.

“I had a lot of fun leading my first career Cup Series laps,” he said. “Just super proud of this entire No. 88 team, but hate to see the day end this short. When you have a chance to go win a race and you’re in a prime spot to do so, but get put in a position like that, it’s extremely tough. It’s been a big weekend for all of us at Trackhouse Racing and Red Bull, and I just hate that both cars get taken out like that.

“We’ll put our heads down, put this weekend behind us, and move on to the next.”

Van Gisbergen started from the pole and was seeking his seventh road course win in eight races. He had led seven laps before being collected in the crash.

“A real shame,” van Gisbergen said. “The Red Bull Chevy was unreal fast once the track kind of rubbered up, and a real shame.”