Nov 1, 2025; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Connor Zilisch (88) during the Xfinity Series Championship race at Phoenix Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Mark Martin has high praise for NASCAR phenom Connor Zilisch

By Samuel Stubbs | Last updated Feb 10, 2026 2:28 PM ET

NASCAR Cup Series rookie Connor Zilisch is arguably the most hyped prospect that stock car racing has ever seen.

The 19-year-old driver won 10 races in the 2025 NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series campaign and had 20 top-five finishes in 33 races before being called up to drive the No. 88 Chevrolet full-time for Trackhouse Racing in the Cup Series for 2026.

In an interview on Tuesday, NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin heaped praise on Zilisch and told fans to keep an eye on the Mooresville, N.C., native.

"That kid is unbelievable," Martin told Eric Estepp of "Out of the Groove." "You can look at his organization and say his organization isn't as strong as Hendrick [Motorsports]. You can say that, but I can tell you, when you get a driver like Connor, they have the ability to raise everyone in such a way that it's part of that magic."

Special guest @MarkMartin joins the show this week! We discussed:

Mark's role in changing the format
NASCAR's re-re-brand
Zilisch and other young talents
Career longevity

and much more! Check out the full video: https://t.co/zxoH8bx8uD
— Eric Estepp (@EricEstepp17) February 10, 2026

"Don't think for a minute that they can't have big numbers. Any win would be huge for him and that organization that first year. He's got the potential to be a massive winner. Kudos to all the people that have seen him coming."

Mark Martin finds a comparison for Connor Zilisch

Interestingly enough, Martin is somewhat of a spiritual teammate to Zilisch. Martin drove for Dale Earnhardt Inc. in 2008, which later merged with Chip Ganassi Racing. CGR was later sold to Trackhouse Racing in 2021.

After Martin left DEI at the conclusion of 2008, he went on to drive for Hendrick Motorsports from 2009-11. Over two decades before Martin drove for HMS, however, a brash young driver was tearing up the track in the team's No. 25 car.

That was Tim Richmond, who won 13 Cup Series races — nine of which came for Hendrick Motorsports — from 1986-87. However, illness hindered his career, and a controversial failed drug test in 1988 was the end of it. Richmond died from complications due to AIDS on Aug. 13, 1989.

Richmond's talent behind the wheel of a race car was undeniable. Martin compared Zilisch to Richmond when asked about a comparable talent during his own start in the sport.

"Tim was just blinding," Martin said of Richmond. "I think Connor is as well."

Zilisch will officially begin his rookie Cup Series campaign on Sunday as he competes in his first Daytona 500.

Samuel Stubbs

Hailing from the same neck of the woods as NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin, Samuel has been covering NASCAR for Yardbarker since February 2024. He has been a member of the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) since October of 2024. When he’s not writing about racing, Samuel covers Arkansas Razorback basketball for Yardbarker

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