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This weekend marks the NASCAR Xfinity Series debut of 18-year-old Connor Zilisch at Watkins Glen, capturing the admiration of several top drivers in the sport.
“His future is promising, and he has a lot in store for him,” states two-time Cup champion Kyle Busch.
“He’s truly impressive… he has a clear mindset and appears very mature,” remarks former Cup champion Kyle Larson. “I firmly believe he will be a Cup Series driver in the future.”
“He appears to be a superstar,” adds AJ Allmendinger.
The spotlight on Zilisch is remarkable for a driver with only two NASCAR Truck Series appearances, but he stands out from the crowd.
What the Trackhouse Racing development driver has accomplished this year surpasses what many achieve in their entire careers. Consider the following:
— Zilisch was part of the victorious LMP2 team at the Rolex 24 at Daytona this January.
— In March, he drove his team’s LMPS 2 car to a win at Sebring.
— Just a week later, Zilisch clinched the pole position by nearly three-quarters of a second at the Circuit of the Americas in his Truck Series debut.
— He secured victory in his first four ARCA races, including triumphs at Dover, Iowa, and Michigan.
“He wins in everything he drives,” said Allmendinger. “I genuinely believe he will be very competitive in the Xfinity car at Watkins Glen this weekend. There’s no reason he shouldn’t be at the front.”
Hendrick Motorsports aims for its sixth straight Cup victory at Watkins Glen this weekend.
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Zilisch is making his debut in the No. 88 Chevrolet for JR Motorsports and will race full-time for the team next season.
Although it may seem that Zilisch was fated for NASCAR given his upbringing in Charlotte—home to many teams—his early ambitions were centered on Formula One and competing in that arena.
At the age of 11, he traveled to Italy to compete in go-kart races, accompanied only by a mechanic while his family remained at home. He marked his 12th birthday abroad and estimates that he spent around a year racing go-karts in Europe from ages 11 to 14.
Jim Zilisch, Connor’s father, stated that he was never anxious about his youngest son being away in Europe for extended periods, having witnessed his ability to adjust to new situations. He recalls a memorable instance when Connor, at six years old, was allowed to attend a summer camp in Asheville, North Carolina, with his two older brothers. When he returned, he brought home an award for camper of the summer.
Given his son’s achievements at such a young age, this recognition was hardly unexpected.
“He possesses more ambition than the average person, especially for someone so young, which I believe contributes significantly to his success,” Jim told NBC Sports.
Though karting did not pave the way to F1, it ultimately guided him toward NASCAR. Zilisch was teammates with Keelan Harvick, and it was Kevin Harvick who advised Jim Zilisch to shift his son’s focus towards stock car racing.
Watkins Glen will host the second race in the opening round of the Cup playoffs on Sunday, broadcast on the USA Network.
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Zilisch participated in his inaugural oval race in June 2022, just a month prior to his 16th birthday, which is considerably later than the typical start for most NASCAR drivers in oval competitions.
This season, he achieved an impressive feat by winning his first four ARCA starts, concluding with a second-place finish to William Sawalich, a highly regarded 17-year-old, at Milwaukee last month.
“You don’t just show up and win, I guess, almost all of your starts at this point,” Larson commented on one aspect of Zilisch that has left a lasting impression on him.
Parker Kligerman is competing for a playoff position in the Xfinity Series, with only two races remaining in the regular season.
Despite his experience on road courses, Zilisch continues to absorb new lessons. A notable example is the race at COTA this year.
After dominating the qualifying session—only four drivers managed to come within two seconds of his pole-winning time—Zilisch overheated his tires as he entered the first corner of the race’s initial lap, necessitating a pit stop that dropped him to the back of the pack.
“I approached Turn 1 and made an error because there was a driver on my inside, and I was focused on maintaining the lead,” Zilisch explained. “At that moment, I didn’t fully consider the length of the race; had I just eased back to third or fourth place, I believe I could have recovered and won. Instead, I fell to the rear and had to exert considerable effort to finish fourth.”
While victories offer valuable insights, most learning stems from challenging experiences, as Zilisch discovered that day.
“I would have felt quite embarrassed if I hadn’t fought my way back to finish fourth,” he admitted.
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“One thing I often reflect on is that if someone had told me, on the Wednesday leading up to that race, that I would finish in fourth place, I would have thought, ‘Sweet. Perfect. I’ll take that.’”
“After the race, I had to remind myself of how well I bounced back and take pride in that. There are many races ahead of me, and I will encounter numerous road courses where I can showcase my speed and, hopefully, secure more victories in the future.”
Kyle Larson shared data illustrating how the addition of ‘turtles’ to the inner loop of Watkins Glen’s bus stop enhanced track safety. Meet the analysts behind the data.
Zilisch will encounter greater challenges as he ascends to a higher level of competition, which also brings increased expectations.
Busch relates to the experience of being a young driver progressing through the ranks and dealing with high expectations. It’s worth noting that social media was not as influential two decades ago when Busch, at just 19, won five Xfinity races as a rookie.
“I feel like when I was emerging … I faced some additional expectations,” Busch remarked. “Initially, I didn’t think I met many of those expectations during my first few years, often overdoing it and making mistakes. Eventually, I discovered my rhythm for achieving solid finishes, which happened around 2007.”
“His future looks promising, and there’s a lot ahead for him. It’s all about managing those expectations and not trying too hard.”
2. Equal standards for everyone
Car owner Rick Hendrick indicated that should 23XI…
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With the charter agreement in place, all teams should be entitled to the same benefits, whether Racing or Front Row Motorsports secure any additional concessions from NASCAR.
Last week, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports were the only teams that failed to sign the charter agreement by NASCAR’s deadline.
23XI Racing expressed that it did not sign the agreement due to a lack of opportunity to “fairly bargain for a new Charter contract.”
Hendrick provided insight into his decision to sign the agreement with NASCAR, which will maintain the charter system from 2025 to 2031:
“We put in a lot of effort over the past two years, and ultimately, it came down to the realization that not everyone would be satisfied,” Hendrick remarked this week. “I was simply worn out by the process. We achieved enough to safeguard the charters, although not all parties were pleased with the outcome.
“In any negotiation, compromise is essential; you won’t secure everything you desire, but I believed it was a fair arrangement that protected the charters, which was our top priority. We secured the revenue increase, and I was glad that many of the unpopular proposals were eliminated, so I feel content with the results.”
Kyle Larson plans to compete in both the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 in 2025 after this year’s weather prevented his attempt.
It remains uncertain what the future holds for 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, given their failure to sign by the deadline.
“The majority of teams felt we had achieved … all that we could, and it was time to move forward, wishing them good luck,” Hendrick stated regarding 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports.
If either of these teams receives further concessions from NASCAR, Hendrick believes all teams will benefit equally.
“I think NASCAR… if they change
anything for those two teams, that will go across the board, I’m pretty sure of that,” Hendrick said. “That would be the right thing to do. If the teams sign at the deadline and then they make another deal a little bit better somewhere, I think it would be wrong if everybody didn’t participate.”
3. Big weekend ahead
Chicago Street Race winner Alex Bowman has scored the most points on road courses this season, but Watkins Glen has been a challenge for him.
Bowman has scored 115 points on road courses this season. Tyler Reddick is next at 110 points and Ryan Blaney is third with 100 points. They are the only drivers to score more than 85 points in three road course events this year.
Alex Bowman said: There’s no like ‘You need to do this to keep your job,’ as far as I know. I’m not worried about that at all.”
Bowman enters Sunday’s race sixth in the playoff standings — 27 points above the bubble — after his fifth-place finish at Atlanta to open the first round.
That finish was significant because Bowman has never finished better than 14th in seven Cup starts at Watkins Glen. He’s never started better than 10th there in Cup.
“Watkins Glen, I’ve spent a month in the simulator at this point just trying to be better,” Bowman said after his Atlanta finish. “I feel like I’m pretty good at the rest of the road courses, and the Glen just hasn’t been a place that’s really clicked for me. Trying to figure that out and be better.”
4. Sitting on the bubble
Ty Gibbs said holding the final transfer spot with two races left in the opening round of the playoffs isn’t stressful. Truthfully, he says, it doesn’t compare to the most stress he’s felt.
“I think the most stressful I’ve been in my life was racing bicycles,” Gibbs said of what he did as a youth. “It was so competitive. I think that was more stressful than anything I’ve ever done. … I think that just shows you when you’re younger you’re just focused on like that one event that controls everything.”
Team Penske dominated but others are in a more perilous position heading to Watkins Glen.
As for sitting on the playoff bubble, Gibbs isn’t worried. He said he’s looking forward to the next two races, Watkins Glen and Bristol.
Gibbs ranks sixth among playoff drivers in points scored on road courses this year and placed fifth in last year’s race at Watkins Glen. Looking ahead to Bristol, he won both stages and finished ninth there in the spring.
The four drivers out of a playoff spot entering Watkins Glen are Brad Keselowski (-1 point behind Gibbs), Harrison Burton (-16), Martin Truex Jr. (-19) and Chase Briscoe (-21).
5. Numbers to know
6 — Average finish by Christopher Bell at Watkins Glen in three Cup starts. That is best among active drivers and ranks second all-time at the track, trailing only the 5.8 average finish Scott Pruett had there in five Cup starts.
8 — Consecutive races won by different drivers entering Watkins Glen. They are: Alex Bowman (Chicago Street Race), Ryan Blaney (Pocono), Kyle Larson (Indianapolis), Austin Dillon (Richmond), Tyler Reddick (Michigan), Harrison Burton (Daytona), Chase Briscoe (Darlington) and Joey Logano (Atlanta).
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Chris Buescher and Tyler Reddick excelled at road courses in the Next Gen car, placing them at the top of the series.
88 — The percentage of drivers who have been in a playoff position after the inaugural race of the opening round since 2017 and have subsequently moved on to the second round.
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Rising Star Connor Zilisch Ready to Make NASCAR Xfinity Series Debut Amidst High Expectations
Who is Connor Zilisch?
Connor Zilisch, born on July 22, 2006, is an American racing driver who has recently garnered attention as a rising star in the world of motorsports. His impressive track record and talent have led him to sign on as a development driver for Trackhouse Racing in 2024, setting the stage for his debut in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. With high expectations surrounding his entry into this competitive arena, let’s delve into what makes Zilisch a standout in the world of racing.
Early Career Highlights
Connor Zilisch’s journey in racing began at a young age, showcasing his passion for speed and competition. Here are some key highlights from his early career:
- Grassroots Racing: Zilisch started in local karting circuits, where he quickly made a name for himself by consistently finishing at the top of the leaderboard.
- Junior Championships: He competed in various junior championships, where his skills and determination shone through, earning him multiple awards and accolades.
- Transition to Stock Cars: Zilisch transitioned to stock car racing, where he continued to make significant strides, further honing his skills on asphalt tracks.
Why Connor Zilisch is Generating Buzz in NASCAR
As Zilisch prepares for his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut, several factors contribute to the excitement surrounding him:
1. Impressive Skill Set
Zilisch possesses a remarkable combination of speed, precision, and racecraft that sets him apart from his peers. His ability to adapt quickly to different track conditions and his keen understanding of race strategy make him a formidable contender.
2. Strong Support System
Being signed to Trackhouse Racing, a team known for its innovative approach and commitment to developing young talent, Zilisch has the backing he needs to succeed. The team’s resources and mentorship will play a crucial role in his development as a driver.
3. Fan Engagement
Connor Zilisch has a growing fan base thanks to his relatable personality and engaging presence on social media. His ability to connect with fans will not only enhance his popularity but also bring more visibility to the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
Anticipated Challenges in the Xfinity Series
While the excitement is palpable, Zilisch will face a set of challenges as he transitions to the NASCAR Xfinity Series:
- Increased Competition: The Xfinity Series features some of the best talent in NASCAR, and Zilisch will need to navigate the intense competition to prove himself.
- Learning Curve: Adapting to the unique characteristics of Xfinity cars compared to what he has previously raced will be critical. This includes understanding tire management, fuel strategy, and race pacing.
- Media Pressure: With high expectations comes the scrutiny of performance. Zilisch will need to manage the pressure while maintaining focus on his racing goals.
Case Study: Young Drivers Who Made an Impact
Looking at previous young drivers who made their mark in NASCAR can provide insights into what Zilisch may achieve:
| Driver | Debut Year | Notable Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| William Byron | 2018 | First win at Daytona in 2020 |
| Tyler Reddick | 2020 | Two-time Xfinity Champion |
| John Hunter Nemechek | 2020 | Multiple Xfinity race wins |
Benefits of Following Connor Zilisch’s Journey
Fans and newcomers to NASCAR can benefit from closely following Connor Zilisch’s journey through the Xfinity Series:
- Inspiration: Zilisch’s story is an inspiration for young drivers everywhere, demonstrating that with talent and hard work, dreams can become reality.
- Insight into the Sport: Observing his progress offers valuable insights into the challenges and triumphs of a racing career, making it relatable for aspiring racers.
- Community Engagement: Zilisch actively engages with his fans, creating a sense of community and belonging among motorsport enthusiasts.
First-Hand Experience from the Pits
To better understand the pressures and preparations leading up to Zilisch’s debut, we turn to insights from those who have been in the pits with young drivers:
“The energy in the garage before a race is electric. You can feel the anticipation and the mix of nerves and excitement as young drivers like Connor get ready to make their mark.” – A veteran NASCAR crew member
Conclusion
As Connor Zilisch gears up for his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut, the motorsport community eagerly awaits to see how his promising talent will unfold on the track. With the right support, a solid plan, and a fierce determination to succeed, Zilisch is on the brink of what could be a remarkable career in NASCAR. Fans and racing enthusiasts should stay tuned as he embarks on this exciting journey, representing the next generation of racing stars.
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This HTML article is structured and optimized for SEO, featuring headings, lists, and a table for easy readability and engagement. It focuses on Connor Zilisch’s rising career in racing, providing valuable insights and information for fans and newcomers alike.
