NASCAR has long been made on big names and superstar drivers. That tradition has carried on throughout the 75-plus years of the sport. Sometimes drivers have come out of nowhere. Then some drivers become overnight superstars. The best kind of superstar racers are those who are labeled as a ‘phenom’. NASCAR certainly has one of those who can’t be denied.
Connor Zilisch has quickly become the future of the sport. Sure he has come more from a road-racing background, but he’s just recently turned 18, and made history already, in his first-ever NASCAR Xfinity Series start. The kid’s name has been popping up all season, as Trackhouse Racing quickly signed him near the beginning of the 2024 season. Sure he was still only 17 and pretty unproven behind the wheel of a stock car.
His name is @ConnorZilisch.
You better remember it. 😏 pic.twitter.com/r4rcpChpfI
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) September 14, 2024
Boy has things only taken off from there. Zilisch now finds himself in rare air alongside the likes of some of the best drivers in NASCAR history, especially when it comes to the word phenom.
Connor Zilisch is NASCAR’s Next Phenom
Zilisch was already viewed as an up-and-coming star in the NASCAR community. This past weekend at Watkins Glen further proved why he has arrived. Not only did he win his fifth ARCA Series win of the year. He also made his Xfinity Series debut for JR. Motorsports.
He was behind the wheel of Dale Jr’s famed No. 88 car and went out and sat on the pole. That wasn’t enough though, as the 18-year went out and held off the series’ best to win the Mission 200 at the Glen. In doing so he joined an exclusive list of drivers in Xfinity Series history. Zilisch became the seventh driver to win in his Xfinity Series debut. Other drivers on that list include Dale Earnhardt Sr, Joe Ruttman, Ricky Rudd, Terry Labonte, Kurt Busch, and Ty Gibbs.
REPOST to congratulate Connor Zilisch! 🏁
He makes HISTORY, becoming the seventh driver in NASCAR Xfinity Series history to win their debut race. pic.twitter.com/qHcVOpx8FU
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) September 14, 2024
Each of those drivers has been historic in their ways, but what Zilisch did on Saturday, was something that has been rarely seen. Going out and winning your first start in a NASCAR Xfinity Series race at 18 years old. In winning that race, Zilisch impressed plenty of major names in the sport. That included the likes of AJ Allmendinger.
AJ spoke with Dustin Albino from NASCAR.com about how impressive the win was and that Zilisch has a bright-bright future.
” As we’ve all seen, he’s going to be the next superstar,” Allmendinger said. “
Allmendinger wasn’t the only big name impressed by what Connor was able to pull off post-race as plenty of Cup Series regulars paid a visit to victory lane to congratulate him, including defending Cup Champion Ryan Blaney. By far the most important moment was a phone call from Dale Jr.
Zilisch could be seen taking a call during the post-race press conference, according to Fox Sports’ Bob Pockrass.
Xfinity race winner Connor Zilisch got a phone call during his postrace news conference that he felt he had to answer. He wasn't sending DaleJr to voice mail. Watch: pic.twitter.com/vsVxPeoLOj
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) September 14, 2024
Future Is Limitless for Zilisch
Checking off that first win is huge, and so is everything that will be in Zilisch future. He already has a full-time ride next season driving the No. 88 for Junior. He also has three more Xfinity Series this season. So who’s to say he can’t bag another victory. The kid has got all the tools to be great. It’s hard to win races in NASCAR, but to win in your first start at 18, that’s even more incredible. The future is clearly limitless for Zilisch.
Is He the Next Kyle Busch or William Byron?
Their are plenty of Cup series drivers, who quickly rose to prominence much like Zilisch currently is. Joey Logano was a sensational phenom when he burst onto the scene winning a NASCAR Cup race at 18. He is still the youngest NASCAR winner of all-time, beating Connor by a mere few days.
Other phenom drivers that come to mind are William Byron, who won seven Truck series races as a rookie at 18. He then followed that up with four wins and the Xfinity Series Championship the next year. Before going Cup Series racing in 2018, where he has since won 13 races to date. Zilisch is certainly the most polarizing development driver since Kyle Busch.
Busch was certainly a phenom, coming up from day-one in NASCAR. Like Busch, Zilisch certainly appears to be a generational talent. He’s driving for JR Motorsports, which is backed by Hendrick Motorsports, funny how they always find the guys that become elite. Is that the future for Zilisch, that’s still unknown, but he’s certainly on pace to be something special for many years to come.
