Connor Zilisch’s NASCAR journey will take a pivotal step in 2025, as he’ll pilot the No. 88 Chevrolet full-time for JR Motorsports within the Xfinity Collection.
Simply 18, Zilisch is among the prime prospects within the sport, and Kevin Harvick believes he has an ideal future forward of him. Harvick, talking on his “Blissful Hour” podcast this week, referred to as Zilisch a “nice expertise” that can quickly be a “drive to be reckoned with” in NASCAR.
“As we noticed within the Truck race this week, it’s gonna get tougher,” Harvick mentioned. “However Connor is a good expertise. Now, it’s gonna be that subsequent step of competitors which all the time comes with, ‘Alright, I can drive quick, however now how do I talk with my workforce with the intention to allow them to perceive what they want within the automotive to direct the automotive to be as quick as it will possibly.’ So, I believe with Trackhouse having Connor Zilisch, I imply they simply have struck gold. I believe for them, they’ve a expertise that’s one thing you may’t educate. He’s acquired this pure skill to go on the market and drive.”
Connor Zilisch profitable races at a younger age
Zilisch, the defending Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona winner, has been competing in NASCAR occasions on a part-time foundation in 2024. In six ARCA Menards Collection East begins this season, Zilisch has secured 4 checkered flags. He made his Truck Collection debut at COTA again in March, driving the No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado for Spire Motorsports. Zilisch completed a powerful P4. He made his second Truck Collection begin at Richmond this previous Saturday, ending twenty ninth.
Along with NASCAR, Zilisch has additionally picked up wins on a number of different circuits. These embody the CARS Tour, Carolina Professional Late Mannequin Collection, IMSA Sportscar Championship and the Mazda MX-5 Cup.
Harvick mentioned he initially met Zilisch whereas his son, Keelan, was racing go-karts, and knew there was one thing particular about him.
“I truly noticed Connor Zilisch race when Keelan began racing go-karts. And I had an ideal dialog together with his dad,” Harvick mentioned. “And I mentioned, ‘Hey what are your plans for Connor?’ And he mentioned, ‘Properly, I believe I’m gonna ship Connor off to varsity and I believe we’ll exit and simply have enjoyable with the Spec Miata and simply get him by college.’ And I mentioned, ‘I believe that’s an utter mistake. I believe that you need to a minimum of give him a while to provide him a shot at happening a path.’
“We truly helped Connor e-book his first check with Silver Hair. And I truly put up the crash deposit for Connor to go on the market and drive the automotive. His dad paid for it, and I vouched for the crash deposit for Connor to go drive the Trans-Am automotive for Silver Hair Racing as we now have some mutual mates there.
Connor Zilisch to quickly compete full-time in NASCAR
“And after we first referred to as, they had been like, ‘Ah, I don’t find out about this. Child appears fairly younger.’ And I’m like, ‘Look, I advised Fred who works for me, it’s important to inform Maurice [Hull] that this child is one thing particular and he wants to provide him a shot on this automotive.’ Properly, we went to VIR and William Byron had simply examined the automotive the day earlier than. Connor Zilisch ran one second sooner than William Byron had run within the automotive on the very first day that he had gotten into that automotive. Clearly, the remaining is historical past and he’s been out doing Connor Zilisch issues and profitable races.
“His dad wasn’t actually accustomed to the racing facet of the world. And so, for Connor Zilisch and Brent Crews and a few of these youngsters that had been racing carts, our objective was to type of push them down the NASCAR path. They usually’ve performed an ideal job to earn themselves a spot as they’ve gone in several automobiles to earn the alternatives. However Connor is gonna be a stud. He’s gonna be a drive to be reckoned with in no matter he drives for a very long time.”
