Connor Zilisch Turned Watkins Glen into a Preview of NASCAR’s Future
Even with a ruined finish, the 19-year-old showed enough speed Sunday to make veterans glance nervously in their mirrors.
Even with a ruined finish, the 19-year-old showed enough speed Sunday to make veterans glance nervously in their mirrors.
Another Watkins Glen win for Connor Zilisch, another heartbreak for Jesse Love, and another reminder that friendship means nothing when Turn 7 arrives—also, this time he came out of the roof like he promised after last year’s airborne exit.
Larson controlled the night, but Bristol controlled the ending, and that ending belonged to Connor Zilisch.
Connor Zilisch didn’t win, didn’t have a clean race, but reminded everyone watching that speed, determination, and sheer audacity can be more entertaining than a checkered flag.
Now that Connor Zilisch and Shane van Gisbergen share space at Trackhouse Racing, the expectation is civility. The reality is they’re still racing drivers.
Four years ago he was wandering Daytona as a fan without a pit pass. Now he’s driving the No. 88 in the biggest race in America.
Connor Zilisch’s Saturday ended in heartbreak, but by Tuesday, he was already smiling — because that’s racing.
In the end, he went from a confident winner—a phenom—to the 19-year-old kid who just got kicked off the playground.
Throughout the country, as the NASCAR season draws to a close, the weather is getting colder and the off-season is coming. Not in Phoenix.
Connor Zilisch gave it everything he had at Las Vegas, but once again the 1.5-mile win got away — this time thanks to a part-time racer who refuses to age gracefully.