Connor Zilisch, a rising star in the world of NASCAR, showcased his talent on his debut race at COTA by outperforming seasoned veterans and securing pole position. Despite being only 17 years old and having limited experience in the NASCAR Truck Race, Zilisch is already being hailed as the future of the sport. Recognizing his potential, Trackhouse Racing signed him as a development driver for the upcoming 2024 season.
Currently competing in the IMSA LMP2 championship, Zilisch has been dominating the races, winning the first two of the season. Last week, he made his NASCAR Truck debut with Spire Motorsports at COTA, where he not only secured pole position but also finished the race in an impressive fourth place. This outstanding performance caught the attention of NASCAR Hall of Famer, who believes that Zilisch has the potential to win multiple Cup titles in the future.
Dale Earnhardt Jr., a two-time Xfinity Series champion, was particularly impressed by Zilisch’s pole lap in the Truck race, which surpassed the lap time of other drivers in the second-tier race. As Zilisch gears up to race in the Xfinity Series for JR Motorsports this season, Earnhardt Jr. will have the opportunity to closely observe his skills. The sky is the limit for this young talent, as long as he remains dedicated and works hard.
While Zilisch has excelled in road course races throughout his career, some have questioned his ability on oval tracks. However, Earnhardt Jr. assures skeptics that Zilisch has ample experience and skills in oval racing, especially with the support of JR Motorsports cars in the Xfinity Series. With the right opportunities, Zilisch has the potential to achieve great feats in oval races as well.
Earnhardt Jr. is just one of many who have recognized Zilisch’s remarkable talent and potential. However, Zilisch’s NASCAR journey is only just beginning, and he still has a long way to go in order to achieve the goals that have been set for him.