Long Pound, Dad. (AP) – Dale Earnhardt jr. Is perhaps already the most popular crew head of Nascar.

He is definitely an unbeaten one.

Earnhardt, who was pushed into unexpected service, calls the shots for 18-year-old prospect Connor Zilisch In the no. 88 Chevrolet and they ended up in the Victory Lane on Saturday in the second level XFinity Series race on Pocono Raceway.

“It felt good to have input and decision -making power,” Earnhardt said. “And then Connor helps to understand what our plan was, so he knew when to press and what he was expected to do.”

Earnhardt-who won the most popular manager award of NASCAR 15 times-made a pit stop of his day job as a team owner at JR Motorsports with normal crew head Mardy Lindley suspended one race due to an air utility offense this month in Nashville.

Apart from his duties as a team owner, Earnhardt was also at Pocono for his role on the excellent broadcast for the Nascar Cup series Sunday.

“A lot of fun for me today,” Earnhardt said. “I missed the excitement of the competition. I like broadcast, don’t do me wrong. But nothing compares to management or just to be part of the team. Being an owner doesn’t really do so. It’s a lot of fun. ‘

Earnhardt dragged his wife and two young daughters with him as he ran the celebration to Victory Lane. The eldest daughter Isla Rose clamped the checkered flag while the youngest Nicole Lorraine soaked at the scene of her father’s arms.

“I like that they can only experience things about Nascar,” Earnhardt said. “I had such a wonderful time to grow up as a child in this sport, just running around here. I want them to have the opportunity and understand that it is a place where they can create opportunities for themselves on the road. “

The victory continued a banner season for the Nascar Hall of Fame driver – what swept two races at Pocono As a manager in 2014 Nadat JR Motorsports and ruling XFinity Series champion Justin Allgaier, qualified for the season opening Daytona 500 and they secured them Cup series debut.

Earnhardt won two Daytona 500s in 2004 and 2014, and 26 races overall.

His sidewashing Saturday was made a little easier with Zilisch behind the wheel. Zilisch, who turned 19 in July, rushed to his second XFinity victory of the season and third of his young career. He won his XFinity debut at Watkins Glen International last year.

Earnhardt pitched even during the race and threw tires over the wall during pit stop.

“Halfway through the race man, I felt it,” Earnhardt said.

Zilisch took the victory to the wire and eventually passed Jesse Love with five laps left in the race. Love finished second.

“Dale junior, not too bad on the box,” Zilisch said. “Quite nice to have him up there. Getting him a 1-for-1 victory is very fantastic. ‘

Even with the victory, it is perhaps just one-and-ready on the Put’s for Earnhardt.

“I don’t know that I see myself doing again,” he said.

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AP Auto Racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing