One other racing season has come and gone, and not one of the went to a racer who bagged 13 victories in 2024.
That’s proper, 13. What makes it maybe extra spectacular is similar factor that meant no season-long championship: Connor Zilisch collected these trophies whereas competing in seven completely different sequence — from inventory vehicles to vehicles and even prototype sports activities vehicles.
And he did a lot of it earlier than turning 18 midseason.
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Zilisch grew up within the hub of NASCAR stock-car racing — Charlotte, N.C. — and presently lives north of city the place many big-league race groups get their mail, Mooresville. Regardless of that, his early racing years have been spent racing karts or sports activities vehicles on street programs.
Zilisch started including inventory vehicles to his portfolio in 2022 and earlier than lengthy his profession objectives have been redirected. This 12 months, these 13 wins got here in NASCAR or NASCAR-affiliated sequence.
∎ He gained one among his 4 Xfinity Collection begins.
∎ Winless however two poles and a fourth-place end in six Truck Collection begins.
∎ 5 wins in eight ARCA begins.
∎ 4 wins in eight ARCA East begins.
∎ Received his lone ARCA West begin, final weekend at Phoenix.
∎ Two wins (Rolex 24 at Daytona, and Sebring) in 5 IMSA begins co-driving a Le Mans Prototype 2 machine.
By the best way, he additionally gained one among two begins on the CARS Late Mannequin Tour, and one among six races in Mazda MX-5 Cup (the place he additionally had two runner-up finishes).
Flexibility is perhaps in his blood. His mother, Janice Kerr, was a 1988 all-American gymnast for the Florida Gators.
The feelings of a first-time winner.
Welcome to the NASCAR Xfinity Collection. Welcome to Victory Lane, Connor Zilisch.
Whereas the bouncing round will cool down for Zilisch subsequent 12 months, the focus will enhance as a result of his identify shall be connected to one of many largest figures in NASCAR — Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his JR Motorsports Xfinity Collection group.
In August, Zilisch was employed to drive one of many 4 full-time entries, beginning in 2025, owned by Earnhardt and his sister Kelley Earnhardt Miller. He bought a head begin on that gig late this previous season with 4 begins in JR Motorsports’ No. 88 part-time automotive.
And he gained proper out of the field, at Watkins Glen in September. In three subsequent begins on three ovals, he completed fourth twice and twelfth.
Connor Zilisch is a younger man in a rush
Information-Journal: Are you ever shocked at how nicely issues have gone for you this 12 months?
Connor Zilisch: “Sure, it has shocked me. Each time I am going out and outperform the place I count on to carry out, then yeah, it does shock me. However nonetheless, it doesn’t matter what, I’m nonetheless making an attempt to take pleasure in all of it and soak all of it in.
“There’s a whole lot of cool stuff taking place sooner or later for me … and a whole lot of races I can dwell on from the previous, however the essential factor for me is to only keep within the current and do not forget that you’re solely pretty much as good as your final race. I’ve undoubtedly shocked myself with every thing that’s occurred, however on the identical time, I’m removed from the place I need to be.”
N-J: I see you bought your first huge Talladega crash out of the best way final month (in a Truck Collection race). How was that?
CZ: “It was Talladega, I used to be anticipating to go on the market and wreck. It didn’t harm my emotions as soon as it occurred. It kinda was what I anticipated. You’re driving round at Talladega and also you’re kinda sitting there ready for somebody to make a mistake. It occurred. I simply let go of the wheel and sat there.”
N-J: Guys who’ve a season once they win lots, they nonetheless handle to behave like they’re shocked to have gotten the win. Why is that?
CZ: “You by no means know when your final win is coming. It feels pretty much as good as the primary time, each time. It’s essential for me to do not forget that and at all times be capable to soak within the good moments as a result of in racing you’re gonna lose much more than you’re gonna win. It’s a must to admire it.”
N-J: I assume you bear in mind your first race as a child.
CZ: “I used to be 5 years outdated. It was a go-kart race in Kershaw, South Carolina. Carolina Motorsports Park on a street course. It began out as a pastime for me. I by no means thought I’d get thus far, and I by no means knew the alternatives doable in motorsports.”
NASCAR oval racing is a unique animal for Connor Zilisch
N-J: So it was principally all street programs for you rising up?
CZ: “My first oval race wasn’t till 2022. I grew up street racing and that’s what I’m used to. I solely grew to become an oval-racing NASCAR driver two years in the past. That’s when issues modified.”
N-J: What was the largest adjustment?
CZ: “You may run aspect by aspect with somebody for 30 laps in an oval race. In street racing, that’ll by no means occur. Guys race lots in another way. There’s a unique stage of respect.
“In street racing, you’re not likely supposed to make use of your bumper to move somebody. In oval racing, it’s anticipated. It’s a must to shift your perspective if you race on an oval and understand guys are gonna do stuff you wouldn’t count on.”
N-J: Have you ever gotten accustomed to different drivers angering you on the observe, and vice versa?
CZ: “On the finish of the day, everyone retains word of who pissed them off, they usually’re gonna be certain that to return it at some point. It’s a unique type and you must get used to that. It was robust for me at first as a result of I didn’t need to drive like that. However I used to be pressured to at a sure level.”
N-J: How far again does your relationship go along with Junior Earnhardt?
CZ: “I met him racing late-models. He comes again and races late-models typically, and I met him at a race. We raced towards one another a bunch; we have been at all times round one another on the observe.
“Clearly he’s a brilliant busy man, however he’s at all times right down to Earth if you discuss to him. Now, as my group proprietor, he’s somebody I can textual content at any time. He’s only a good man. It’s cool to have that relationship with him.”
Does Connor Zilisch have any Cup Collection plans for 2025?
N-J: Any probability they may combine in a Cup Collection race for you subsequent 12 months?
CZ: “If they’re, I wouldn’t find out about it. I keep out of these conversations. It’s not my job to make these selections.
“I hope I get the possibility to get a Cup begin. I need to attempt to break data whereas I’m nonetheless younger, but it surely’s not my resolution to make. I nonetheless should carry out if I’m gonna need to race on the subsequent stage.”
N-J: In case you get a Cup race, or perhaps extra, subsequent 12 months, would you like an oval observe or street course?
CZ: “I’d really feel extra aggressive on a street course, but when I’m gonna put together myself to race within the Cup Collection at some point, I need to get some begins on an oval.”
N-J: Did you’ve gotten favourite drivers as a child?
CZ: “I used to be by no means a giant fan rising up. I’d watch races on Sunday however can’t say I used to be a superfan. Principally I watched sports-car racing and that’s what I grew up desirous to race. By no means thought NASCAR was gonna be in my future.
“I watched F1 and was a giant Lewis Hamilton fan. I additionally watched IMSA. With NASCAR, I used to be a Jimmie Johnson fan. I bear in mind, after 4 or 5 championships, he nonetheless outworked everybody. That’s what I preferred about him.”
