Dale Earnhardt Jr.: Connor Zilisch has the ‘runway’ to become multi-time NASCAR Cup Series champion

There is a new hot name in NASCAR, Connor Zilisch. Count Dale Earnhardt Jr. among the crowd of believers in the young racer. Could this 17-year-old kid be the next big thing in American motorsports?

Connor Zilisch made his NASCAR debut in the Truck Series at COTA last week. Walking away with a pole award, track record, and P4 finish made for a strong premiere. However, Zilisch wanted more, he wanted to win with that speed.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. talked about Zilisch on the latest episode of the Dale Jr. Download. It sounds like Junebug is all-in on the Zilisch hype.

“Connor Zilisch comes in, sets a new track record, right?” Earnhardt said. “Qualifies on the pole well clear of the rest of the field. … He’s doing it all and what he’s 17 still? So, it’s insane. This kid has the runway to become a multi-time NASCAR Cup champion. The runway is right there in front of him. Not many people are getting all of this experience at this age, right? If everything goes well and he keeps his head on straight, massive success and potential ahead.”

Zilisch made mistakes. He blew Turn 1 on Lap 1. Broke a sway bar, broke track limits twice, and got spun around once. After reviewing the tape, Earnhardt is ready to say that the young racer was impressive in his Truck Series debut.

“He’s impressive, his speed, especially on road courses – the jury is out on his abilities and talent on ovals,” Dale Jr. continued. “Look, Connor has had success on ovals it’s not like we don’t know he can race an oval. But when – I think his experience on road courses and all the types of things he’s been doing at a young age, obviously is going to serve him well when he runs these races the remainder of the year.

“When he kind of gets thrown into the muck of an Xfinity race at Dover, right? Right? Then it’s going to normalize a little bit, but dude could come out there and kick everybody’s a--. I think he’ll be in good stuff. I mentioned it, he’s going to drive our stuff this year, Connor Zilisch. Connor Zilisch is like that comet that is out at the edge of the solar system that’s supposed to come by Earth, right? And we know when it’s coming and we’re all going to be standing outside looking at the sky waiting on it. That’s Connor Zilisch, in my mind.”

Connor “The Comet” Zilisch? That has a ring to it. While he has a long way to go, Zilisch has already made an impression on some of the biggest names in NASCAR. Kyle Larson was singing his praises after his qualifying run at COTA.

Now, he has Dale Jr. gassing him up a bit. Rarely do you see a prospect in racing like Zilisch. So, sit back and enjoy the ride with the rest of the NASCAR world. When he reaches his goal of becoming the youngest Cup Series champion ever, don’t act surprised.