Connor Zilisch has made Dale Earnhardt Jr. a really completely happy man in 2025. The teenager has secured 5 wins within the Xfinity Collection to this point this season for JR Motorsports and is likely one of the strongest favorites to win the title. His performances and pleasing persona have led Junior to consider that he may very well be the subsequent massive celebrity in inventory automotive racing.
Now and again, there comes a driver who pushes the game to nice heights and will increase its recognition. They win races, are beloved by the followers, and appeal to the overall crowd to the race observe. A long time again, it was four-time Cup Collection champion, Jeff Gordon, who did that. He was the brightest star in NASCAR’s sky and was seen by everybody throughout the nation.
Junior believes that Zilisch can change into somebody like that. He mentioned in a latest episode of the Dale Jr. Obtain that the No. 88 driver is like an incredible tune that hasn’t caught fireplace on the charts but. These inside NASCAR are conscious of his expertise and ability, however outsiders haven’t taken discover of him but. This might change if he stays on the trail he’s on.
“Y’all ain’t seen nothing. Like, if this child retains doing what he’s doing and will get to the Cup degree and begins replicating a number of the success, the sky is the restrict,” Junior quipped.
“I assume perhaps a part of it’s wishful pondering as a result of we’re all like clamoring for that subsequent NASCAR celebrity that would take us to Saturday Evening Dwell or get into the locations the place we don’t get, and change into that nationwide celebrity in all types, proper?”
Gordon appeared on journal covers, late-night speak exhibits, Hollywood blockbusters, and plenty of extra avenues. Each time his face was seen on mainstream media, NASCAR benefited from it. Junior added with full consciousness of the excessive expectation he was putting on Zilisch, “I hate to place the strain on the child, however I really feel like he’s acquired a shot at it.”
Zilisch turned 19 years previous on July 22. He’s the motive force to beat on the Xfinity circuit as issues stand. The final time he completed a race outdoors the top-five was again in April at Talladega. Ought to every little thing go easily, he’s sure to be topped Xfinity Collection champion on the finish of the yr. The seat of the No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet Camaro may very well be awaiting him within the Cup Collection, too.
The teenager seems to be poised for achievement in each approach. It is just a matter of execution from right here on. If he retains successful races, stays humble, and attracts the fanbase, the sky is certainly the restrict, as Junior identified.
