BRISTOL, Tenn.— Connor Zilisch may only be 19 years old, but his early résumé already points to a driver with significant potential.
Zilisch’s rise through the ranks has been rapid. In 2025, he delivered one of the most impressive seasons by a young driver in recent memory, posting 10 wins, 20 top-five finishes, and 23 top-10s en route to a second-place finish in the standings. He accomplished that despite dealing with injuries and missing a race, further highlighting both his speed and resilience.
Given that success, his move up the ladder was widely expected. However, his rookie campaign at the top level has presented its share of challenges.
Through the opening seven races of the 2026 season, Zilisch sits 33rd in the standings and has yet to record a top-10 finish. That places him in a difficult early position in the championship picture, though it is not uncommon for young drivers to face a steep learning curve at this level.
At times, Zilisch has shown flashes of speed that resemble drivers like Kyle Larson early in their careers — quick, aggressive, and capable of running near the front, even if the results have not yet followed.
His strength is expected to come on road courses, where many believe he could quickly emerge as a contender, alongside drivers such as Shane van Gisbergen.
For now, patience remains key. As Zilisch continues to gain experience with the Next Gen car, the expectation is that his results will begin to match his potential. If that happens, the second half of the season could offer a clearer glimpse of what many believe is a future star in the making.
