‘Pretty Cheap’: Connor Zilisch Blasts Brake-Checking at Martinsville

Connor Zilisch did not approve of the brake-checking seen in last Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series Xfinity 500 at the Martinsville Speedway. The driver of the No. 88 called it "cheap" and not owning up to the actions in post-race interviews made it worse.

During Sunday's Cup race, Carson Hocevar brake-checked Austin Cindric multiple times. The contact caused significant damage to Cindric's No. 2 Ford, which ultimately took him out of the race.

In a similar incident, Josh Berry brake-checked Ryan Blaney after the two made contact exiting turn 4. Like Cindric, the contact caused severe damage to Blaney's No. 12 Ford, causing him to spin out.

Hocevar was suspended for Sunday's season-finale race at Homestead-Miami Speedway by his team, Spire Motorsports. The driver of the No. 77 was also fined $100,000 and docked 25 points by NASCAR.

Berry was handed a $50,000 fine and was also docked 25 points by NASCAR for his actions.

Connor Zilisch on Martinsville Brake-Checking: 'Pretty Cheap'

During an appearance on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Zilisch expressed his displeasure in Hocevar and Berry executing brake checks in the Xfinity 500.

"You don't want to see that stuff happen. I feel like it's pretty cheap to do what those guys did and especially not owning up to it in post-race interviews. None of it looked very good on their part," Zilisch said.

Zilisch acknowledges that tempers flare and drivers do things out-of-character. However, the Trackhouse Racing driver does not believe that warrants a brake check.

"You can get frustrated and things can happen. I get it but you got to be able to control your emotions and not let stuff like that frustrate you to the point where you're going to do that to somebody," Zilisch said.

The brake-checking felt reminiscent of Zilisch's go-kart days. When Zilisch was a youngster growing up and learning how to race, brake checks could heavily affect a go-kart.

Yet, in full-bodied cars with the softer bumpers NASCAR added ahead of Martinsville, Zilisch said a brake check can be a major detriment.

"We had these bumpers where if you pushed it hard enough, it would push back and you would get a penalty. When I was 11 in go-karting, you would try and brake check people to get them a penalty. I haven't really experienced it much in cars since I've been racing in full-size cars. You get this softer bumper and you know that people are vulnerable and you can put them in a bad spot by doing it," Zilisch said.

While the brake checks did not surprise Zilisch, the 20-year-old said it is something to be mindful of.

"I didn't really expect it to happen but I guess frustrations can make things like that happen. I wasn't surprised by it by no means but it's something you've got to watch out for, I guess," Zilisch said.