Kenny Wallace on Connor Zilisch potential has become a topic of keen interest after Zilisch’s highly successful rookie season in the Xfinity Series. During the latest Herm & Schrader podcast, both Wallace and Ken Schrader discussed Zilisch’s growing reputation, highlighting his impressive on-track achievements and debating whether he could follow in the legendary footsteps of Jeff Gordon.
Rising Star Connor Zilisch Impresses in Xfinity and Cup Series
Connor Zilisch made his Xfinity Series debut last year with JR Motorsports, a team co-owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr. He immediately turned heads by claiming victory in his very first race at Watkins Glen International. After this strong start, he secured a full-time seat for the 2025 season in the No. 88 Chevy, where he quickly amassed four wins as a rookie, demonstrating exceptional skill both on road courses and ovals.
In addition to his Xfinity success, Zilisch ventured into the Cup Series with Trackhouse Racing, making three starts to date. His best result so far has been a strong P11 finish at Atlanta Motor Speedway, an encouraging sign of his adaptability across NASCAR’s top divisions. With this momentum, observers and insiders have begun to speculate about Zilisch’s potential to become a generational talent in the sport.
Kenny Wallace and Ken Schrader Weigh In on Zilisch’s Potential
Reflecting on Connor Zilisch’s remarkable start, Kenny Wallace shared high praise for the young driver and spoke about the buzz surrounding him:
“I just think we’ve found our next legit, and we talked about it last week. Connor Zilich wins the Exfinity race. That’s his fourth win. He’s kind of in that Shane Van Gizburgen deal, where he learned to race in Europe. He’s really good on road courses, but here he is. He’s won at Pocono. He’s won at Dover. Is Connor Zillich, at 18 years old, kind of like the next Jeff Gordon? Is he? Because he seems to me like the way NASCAR advertises. NASCAR feels he’s not going to miss like Conor Zilich is the next Jeff Gordon.” —Kenny Wallace, Host
Ken Schrader echoed this optimism while acknowledging the challenges young drivers often face as they move up the ranks:
“He’s obviously got a ton of talent, you know, and there’s no reason to think that he’s not going to do well. Uh, we’ve had and he’s getting it done in the Xfinity series. We’ve had a whole lot of kids over the years that win six or seven ARCA races, and they’re not, you know, in a year and they’re not here anymore for whatever reason. A lot of it is also funding, you know, didn’t get picked up, needed funding or whatever, but uh, there’s no reason to believe that he’s not going to do really well going into the Cup series there. I mean, I’m excited to see what he does because he’s already proven he can run.” —Ken Schrader, Host
Zilisch’s record this season underlines why he is receiving such enthusiastic endorsements. He sits second in the Xfinity Series points standings with 674 points, accumulating four wins, 11 top-10 finishes, and nine top-five results, along with four pole positions after 19 race starts. These numbers reinforce the view that Zilisch may become a transformative figure in racing, echoing the early career trajectory of Jeff Gordon.
Trackhouse Racing Expands Zilisch’s Cup Series Opportunities
Recognizing Zilisch’s success and potential, Trackhouse Racing has decided to increase his Cup Series participation by adding two more events to his part-time schedule for 2025. This expanded opportunity will give the young driver more chances to compete against NASCAR’s best and continue building his experience at the sport’s highest level.
Zilisch, who recently finished 11th at Atlanta Motor Speedway, is set to appear next at Watkins Glen International on August 10, 2025. Sharing his excitement over this new chapter in his career, he said:
“It’s awesome to have the opportunity to race two more times in the NASCAR Cup Series,” Zilisch said of the opportunity (via X). “Nothing beats experience in this sport, especially at the Cup level. Thanks to everyone at Red Bull and Trackhouse for this opportunity.” —Connor Zilisch, Driver
Fans can follow his progress when the 90-lap race at Watkins Glen is broadcast live at 2 p.m. ET on USA, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90, and HBO Max. The decision by Red Bull and Trackhouse Racing to further invest in Zilisch’s Cup Series schedule reflects their considerable belief in his ability.
What Zilisch’s Rise Means for NASCAR’s Future
With high-profile endorsements from racing veterans like Kenny Wallace and Ken Schrader, Connor Zilisch is emerging as one of the sport’s most talked-about prospects. Supported by JR Motorsports, Trackhouse Racing, and sponsors such as Red Bull, Zilisch’s rapid ascent is drawing comparisons to the early days of Jeff Gordon and Shane Van Gisbergen, particularly due to his versatility across race tracks in both the United States and Europe.
If Zilisch continues his consistent performance and adapts quickly to the Cup Series, he could play a significant role in shaping the next generation of NASCAR heroes. As his journey unfolds, racing enthusiasts and industry insiders will be watching closely to see if Kenny Wallace’s prediction comes true and if Connor Zilisch realizes his immense potential at the highest levels of stock car racing.
