JR Motorsports co-owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. has expressed strong belief in Connor Zilisch Hall of Fame potential, following the 19-year-old’s impressive performances and rising prominence in NASCAR. Earnhardt Jr. highlighted the significant challenge of transitioning to the Cup Series but maintains his view that Zilisch’s trajectory could put him among racing’s legends.
After Zilisch’s standout win at Indianapolis, which marked JR Motorsports’ 100th NASCAR Xfinity Series victory, Earnhardt Jr. commended the rookie’s pace and noted his ongoing development as Trackhouse Racing’s youngest asset. Zilisch has racked up four wins in just nine Xfinity Series races, driving his team closer to a historic benchmark. With Daniel Suárez set to step down from Trackhouse Racing’s Cup Series roster at the end of the season, Zilisch is expected to take a seat in NASCAR’s fiercest division starting next year.
In a recent media interview, questions arose about whether Zilisch was ready for the leap to Cup cars. Earnhardt Jr. responded candidly, stating that mastering the Next Gen car presents a new set of challenges due to its handling differences and mechanical features, such as independent rear suspension and unique diffuser aerodynamics. The veteran racing executive acknowledged that helping Zilisch adapt in a part-time role could be costly but ultimately necessary for growth and success.
“I sure would love to have him one more year, but I don’t know with how different the Xfinity car is versus the Cup car. … But he’s got to get behind the wheel of that Next Gen car to really understand what it does differently because it drives differently, feels differently, independent rear suspension, how the air gets to the back of the diffuser.”
Highlighting both logistical realities and high expectations, Earnhardt Jr. elaborated that easing Zilisch into the Cup Series with a limited slate of races might not be practical financially or developmentally. Instead, the team may go all-in to accelerate the young driver’s learning curve, believing his prodigious ability is worth the investment.
“It’s probably too expensive to dilly dally and run him in 10 or 15 (Cup Series) races a year for a while to get his feet wet. You might as well jump right on in there. So, I understand the process… but I think we can all see the writing on the wall, and honestly, I think that kid has potential to do incredible, Hall of Fame-worthy things,” he added.
Connor Zilisch already has a taste of Cup Series action from three starts in 2025: debuting at Circuit of the Americas (where an early crash cut his run short), making a return at the Coca-Cola 600, and then achieving his best finish—11th place—in Atlanta. These experiences are rapidly shaping his readiness for a full Cup campaign, with each race offering hard-earned lessons at the sport’s highest echelon.
Earnhardt Jr. and JR Motorsports revel in 100-win milestone
This year’s Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway provided a major emotional highlight for Dale Earnhardt Jr., his sister Kelley Earnhardt Miller—JR Motorsports’ CEO and co-owner—and everyone connected to the team, as Zilisch delivered JRM’s storied 100th Xfinity Series win. The atmosphere at the finish was charged with excitement and pride following a dramatic late-race move.
“100 wins for our team. That’s a big deal. I know my sister and everybody’s every emotional, and we’re going to enjoy this one,” Dale Earnhardt Jr. said via Yahoo Sports (via The Spun).
Connor Zilisch made his decisive pass for the lead on Lap 99, just two laps before the checkered flag, overtaking Taylor Gray after a crucial assist from teammate Sam Mayer to clear Turn 3. Zilisch kept his advantage for the remainder, crossing the finish line .339 seconds ahead, solidifying the team’s centennial triumph.
The race itself saw plenty of drama, as incidents involving Kyle Larson and Justin Allgaier in Turn 2 removed top contenders and opened the door for Zilisch’s late surge. The combination of determination and opportunistic strategy proved decisive, with Zilisch etching his name deeper into JR Motorsports’ history.
As Zilisch prepares to represent Trackhouse Racing in the Cup Series, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and many others within NASCAR spotlight his adaptability, competitive passion, and growing influence among a new generation of drivers. With ongoing support from his team, co-owners like Kelley Earnhardt Miller, and industry veterans, Zilisch’s pursuit of Hall of Fame distinction appears poised for promising chapters ahead.
