Picture this: It’s September 2024, and you are a 14-year-old American watching the first Xfinity cup race of your life. The race is at Watkins Glen International and you see a young Connor Zilisch driving in his first race. You watch in astonishment as the 17-year-old outmaneuvers experienced drivers to secure a victory. What do you feel? A sense of respect, perhaps. This is what the fans feel as this year shows them a more refined side of the JR Motorsports driver. Or should we say Trackhouse Racing?
Last weekend Zilisch made his Cup Series debut at the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix in the Circuit of the Americas. The 18-year-old seemed to have a Midas touch to him, but could not make it work. Does sound awfully familiar, doesn’t it? Zilisch has already won in the ARCA Series, Late Model Series, IMSA, Mazda MX-5, and the Rolex 24 last year. And, this year, his targets are bigger!
Dale Jr.’s star bagged his first race at the Focused Health 250 Xfinity Cup race this past weekend at COTA. Safe to say that he is eyeing the cup in the very first season of contesting as a full-time driver. Even though his performance in the Cup series is a matter of concern to many, Zilish regrets none of what has happened in his debut. He has his ways to look at things, and all that seems very mature of him.
Dale Jr.’s prodigy has no regrets for the Cup Series
In a recent interview with Stacking Pennies, Zilisch said, “The Cup race, I have nothing to really be upset about. I feel like I did a really good job, I don’t think I made any big mistakes all day long. It’s racing, there’s more that’s going to happen out of your control than in your control. It is tough to realise that and understand it and accept it.”
Right from the start of the COTA race, he looked quick, but got caught up in a first lap incident. However, giving up in his debut race was not on the cards, especially with his car still in drivable condition. He rallied forth and the comeback was on, until his Trackhouse Racing teammate Daniel Suarez spun in front of him, and Zilisch had nowhere to go. He was out of the race, this time for good. It feels great to see an 18-year-old with nerves of steel keeping his composure. But, the anguish must have slipped out of him unknowingly, right?
Turns out, yes! Connor Zilisch was as irritated as we are and more. He said, “I was frustrated last night, I didn’t want to talk to anybody really. Then I woke up this morning and I was like, ‘I got to race in the Cup Series for the first time. I had a good day going and something happened, but I couldn’t do anything about it, and move on.’” Burying the hatchet with misfortune goes a long way. The fact that he was competing in the Cup Series is as exciting as it can get. For an 18-year-old prodigy who loves racing, this had to be one of the best feelings in the world.
Even though Connor Zilisch is happy with how Sunday went for him, there is something he is not happy about. But, it is not the one that everyone was anticipating. “I’m a little frustrated with how I ran the Xfinity race. Definitely could have done a better job. I know I got the win in the end, but I could have done a better job getting there,” Zilisch said. But, he has won the Xfinity race. What does he regret?
The Health 250 didn’t go as planned for the young winner. In the post-race interview, he admitted why: “That was way harder than I wanted it to be… I did not drive a clean race at all … I was kind of mentally fogged halfway through that race.” First, Zilisch was sent to the back of the field as he entered the pits when they were caused after the passing of the second caution.
Zilisch started his journey in the second stage at 32nd position. The racer ran the field, taking the lead from teammate Carson Kvapil in the 56th lap of the 65-lap race. While fighting Corey Heim in the final stage, Zilisch slammed into him, sending him off course while damaging his own right fender. He then had to fend off his teammate until lap 60, when poor Kvapil got a flat front tire and had to pit. Now, it feels like he has the right regrets. But, let’s address the elephant in the room: Where is he going with all his talent- JRM or Trackhouse?
Which team does Zilisch actually belong to?
If you have been living under the rock and do not know why it is even a question, let’s give you a small recap. In 2024, ex-Xfinity racer Justin Marks, the owner of Trackhouse Racing, and good friend of Dale Jr. sought himself some raw talent. He bumped into a promising Connor Zilisch during the MX-5 Cup and, spellbound by his talent, signed him as a Developmental driver for his team. This gave Zilisch exposure to meet other racers like SVG, who then paved the way for his Red Bull sponsorship. Well, if he is a Trackhouse-signed racer, what is he doing in JR Motorsports?
Good Question! The answer to the ‘what’ question is, Zilisch has been leased out by Justin Marks to Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s establishment for driving the famed No. 88 Chevy. Yes, that’s Junior’s own car, reminiscing to his golden HMS days. Fans were enraged to the point that Zilisch had to come in to justify Marks’ stance in the situation. However, the ‘why’ question has a complex answer.
Justin Marks might be a famed Xfinity Series driver, but the NASCAR Cup Series is the bigger Sea. If Zilisch is developed in the pond, he will not learn to fight the sharks away. So, Marks needed the right man to teach his young driver what he needs to make it big in the world of wheels. And who better than, Dale Earnhardt Jr.? The guy’s got family legacy, has made a name for himself, and now owns a team: the dream pathway for a successful racer in making.
Marks could have surely given young Zilisch the experience, exposure, money, and resources to develop, everything needed to be a good racer. But, mentorship and guidance play a bigger role in crafting a legendary racer. And, Dale Earnhardt Jr. is taking real good care of the driver. He recently stopped the winner from posing with alcohol at his own victory toast! But, keeping all these things aside, the terms of the contract are not made clear publicly.
It might be a year, a couple of them, or even more that Connor Zilisch will remain a part of the JRM family. For the moment, Connor Zilisch will be looking ahead to the upcoming race weekend at the Phoenix Raceway. It may not be one of his usual stomping grounds, but he will be keen to prove that he isn’t just a road course ringer.
The post Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Rising Star Shares Ultimate ‘Racing Wisdom’ as He Moves on From Cup Series With No Regrets appeared first on EssentiallySports.
