Connor Zilisch responds to whether he can ‘wear out’ Cup Series field, calls his shot for COTA

This week, Connor Zilisch is making his Cup Series debut at the young age of 18. This will be a major step up for the driver. He has impressed against some of the best in the world from IMSA to NASCAR and he’s ready to take on North America’s premier motorsport series.

The NASCAR Cup Series hasn’t seen someone as young as Connor Zilisch in the Cup Series since Gray Gaulding debuted in 2016 at 18 years, 263 days. Zilisch will be the second youngest driver to make his Cup debut since 2005. 18 years and 223 days to Joey Logano’s 18 years, 114 days.

Connor Zilisch is the most hyped Cup Series prospect since Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson were making their way through the lower ranks. You could argue that Zilisch has more hype than those two and the most since Logano was known as “Sliced Bread.”

NASCAR fans saw Zilisch make his Truck Series debut at COTA a year ago. He set a track record and despite multiple penalties and mechanical issues, finished P4. Later in the year, Zilisch won his Xfinity Series debut at Watkins Glen.

So, what are the expectations for his Cup debut? Connor Zilisch talked about expectations with Jeff Gluck of The Athletic.

“Do I think I can wear out the field?” Zilisch said after being asked the question from Chase Briscoe, via Gluck. “No. You see other guys come into Cup who are road course ringers – other than [Shane van Gisbergen] – like ex-F1 drivers, and they don’t just go out and dominate. I definitely want to be competitive and run inside the top 10, but wearing out the field is a whole different thing in the Cup Series.”

Even though he is young, Connor Zilisch is not naive and he is not ignorant. He has a great headspace going into this weekend. No, he might not win, but there is no reason why he can’t pull of a top-10 finish at COTA.

Qualifying will tell a lot about Connor Zilisch debut

Practice and qualifying will give us a feel of how this weekend will go Trackhouse Racing has to give Connor Zilisch a car that can compete. And there is good news for Zilisch – he should have just that.

We have seen Ross Chastain win this race at COTA. Granted this year the race will be on a modified, shorter layout. If Zilisch takes pointers from Ross who has an average finish of P4 at COTA, he’ll be alright.

This will be the 18-year-old’s toughest challenge yet.

“It’s going to be tough, though,” Zilisch continued with Gluck. “The Cup Series is a whole other level. I’m just really excited to learn and race against guys I remember watching on TV as a kid. It’s going to be a really cool experience, and I moreso want to enjoy it than be nervous and scared about it.

“You only make your Cup debut once, so I’m going to try and enjoy it as much as I can.”

Connor Zilisch will race the No. 87 Chevy this weekend. Red Bull is the sponsor. This is going to be the big introduction for Zilisch to the rest of the world.