Connor Zilisich discusses the key distinction between attending a NASCAR race and a Formula 1 race. Max Verstappen and Conor Zilisch (Via IMAGO) is an up-and-coming talent in NASCAR who currently serves as a development driver for Trackhouse Racing. He competes full-time in the IMSA LMP2 class and is a strong contender for the championship. Zilisch made his NASCAR debut at the COTA Truck Serie race last week, where he impressively secured the pole position with a record-breaking speed. Recently, the driver was asked to share his thoughts on his experience as a NASCAR fan, and he expressed some bold opinions.
According to Zilisch, NASCAR has a long way to go in terms of enhancing the fan experience. In comparison to Formula One, the premier open-wheel racing series, NASCAR feels more akin to a local fair. Zilisch also highlighted the significant effort and investment made by F1 to ensure that their fans receive the best overall experience in the Paddock.
Despite not fully comprehending the analytics and economics involved, the young driver urged NASCAR, the premier stock car racing series, to strive for creating a visually captivating spectacle for its fans. This is a significant suggestion, considering that stock car racing fans are known for their immense passion, and implementing changes with a spectacle in mind will undoubtedly present challenges.
When discussing the disparities between the NASCAR and Formula 1 experiences, Zilisch also mentioned that he did not grow up watching NASCAR. In his younger years, he was primarily a fan of F1.
It appears that the former Stewart Haas Racing driver had a profound influence on Zilisch, piquing his interest in NASCAR. Now that Trackhouse Racing has made a substantial investment in him, it is unlikely that he will look elsewhere. If predictions from NASCAR legends hold true, Zilisch is poised to become a major superstar in the sport.