Kevin Harvick, 2014 NASCAR Cup Series champion, has shared important advice for rising star Connor Zilisch after the young driver’s injury at Watkins Glen threw his NASCAR Xfinity Series title pursuit into question. In a season where Zilisch has become a frontrunner, Harvick’s detailed counsel focuses on healing fully before chasing bigger goals, marking a pivotal moment in Zilisch’s career and spotlighting the topic of Kevin Harvick NASCAR championship advice.
Connor Zilisch, just 19, delivered a commanding performance at Watkins Glen, only for celebrations to take an unfortunate turn. Attempting the classic victory celebration—climbing atop his No. 88 Chevrolet—the rookie racer’s foot became tangled in the window netting, leading to a fall that broke his collarbone. This freak accident forced Trackhouse Racing to withdraw his anticipated Cup Series entry, while Zilisch’s grasp on a possible championship win suddenly became dependent on his recovery timeline.
Kevin Harvick Offers a Blueprint for Zilisch’s NASCAR Future
As messages of support poured in from across the NASCAR community, it was Kevin Harvick’s insight that captured the spotlight. Mentoring Zilisch since his karting days, Harvick pivoted from offering sympathy to dispensing hard-won, practical advice through his Happy Hour podcast, emphasizing patience and a focus on long-term career health over immediate accolades.
Harvick highlighted Zilisch’s toughness and ability to handle adversity, stating,
“Kid is going to be bullet tough when he’s done with all the things he’s had to deal with. Whether it’s his back falling in victory lane and just learning on the fly and having a bunch of success with Red Bull Trackhouse, everything that he’s got going on.”
—Kevin Harvick, 2014 NASCAR Cup Champion
He continued to stress the importance of patience, particularly as Zilisch navigates both fame and recovery.
“He (Zilisch) does a really good job of dealing with this. Kid’s a stud. He’s a winner and he’s going to continue to win. And in these situations, and I told his dad this, I said you’ve got to make sure they take care of him first and not get in a hurry. Make sure he heals correctly, because he’s going to be a winner when he comes and gets into that Cup car.”
—Kevin Harvick, 2014 NASCAR Cup Champion
This advice plays directly into the growing anticipation around Zilisch’s Cup Series future. Harvick, echoing Trackhouse Racing owner Justin Marks, acknowledged that Zilisch’s return to the car and pursuit of the Xfinity title must be weighed against his long-term prospects, especially with his collarbone injury making a hasty comeback risky.
Zilisch has electrified NASCAR this season, notching six wins in his rookie Xfinity Series campaign for JR Motorsports and dominating across both road courses and ovals. However, the incident at Watkins Glen came at a crucial moment. With the Xfinity Series scheduled for a break, Harvick underlined the need to
“make sure that he’s 100 percent, now,”
emphasizing that an imperfect recovery could jeopardize Zilisch’s trajectory.
“And you know, I think that the most important thing is to not rush it because you’re chasing a regular season points championship or an Xfinity championship. Just make sure that he’s 100 percent, now. I know it’s collarbone. I don’t know the details of what’s broke or how it’s broke or what the scenario is, so … my main concern for Connor at this point is to make sure Connor is 100 percent alright. He can take his time in making sure it’s right, that’s my only thing.”
—Kevin Harvick, 2014 NASCAR Cup Champion
This pragmatic approach stands in contrast to the pressure often felt to prioritize season points championships. Harvick made clear that while the Xfinity title is prestigious, Zilisch’s ascension to the Cup Series—and long-term effectiveness as a driver and winner—are more vital.
Choices Ahead: Championship Pursuit or Strategic Recovery?
Currently leading the points standings, Zilisch finds himself at a crossroads: attempt to return in time for the high-speed Daytona event to maintain his Xfinity title bid, or follow the guidance of Harvick and team leadership by prioritizing a careful and complete recovery. The risks associated with returning too soon, especially on a superspeedway, include re-injury and diminished performance. Harvick’s consistent message to Zilisch and his family has been to resist the urge to “rush greatness.”
Further cementing his belief in Zilisch, Harvick also spoke to the young driver’s temperament and self-reliance off the track, sharing a personal anecdote from Zilisch’s karting days:
“Well, they have a week off. I would definitely skip Daytona so, you know, you’ve got a couple weeks that you can figure out what is right and wrong. But I mean the kid is a … he’s a great person. I was fortunate to be around him a lot. He helped Keelan a lot in karting. I mean there were times … he would travel by himself. He’d go to the airport, you know, at 14-15 years old and he’d show up at the airport. ‘Hey, can I get a ride to the track?’”
—Kevin Harvick, 2014 NASCAR Cup Champion
Zilisch’s career so far supports Harvick’s assessment. Despite being a teenager, Zilisch has already tackled an ambitious schedule spanning Xfinity, Trucks, ARCA, Trans-Am, and IMSA. His 2024 development deal with Trackhouse Racing and high-profile wins at Sonoma, Chicago, and Dover have only added to the belief that his growth should be carefully nurtured.
Assessing the Broader NASCAR Landscape
While Harvick’s focus has centered on Zilisch, he also used the platform to comment on other major storylines within the sport. For the No. 5 Chevrolet team, Kyle Larson’s season hit trouble after a disappointing finish at Watkins Glen compounded an inconsistent summer, despite his earlier trio of victories and a reputation for resilience.
Harvick acknowledged the culture at Hendrick Motorsports and the efforts by Larson’s crew:
“This is a typical Hendrick Motorsports type of attitude. You heard it out of William Byron last week after they won that race. No matter how many times that No. 5 car has been in a garage, you see those guys under the hood, digging, trying to fix the car to get back out on the racetrack.”
—Kevin Harvick, 2014 NASCAR Cup Champion
Despite the strong team mentality, the No. 5 has been unable to match the performance of William Byron’s No. 24 Chevrolet, with Larson managing only three top-five finishes and five results outside the top 25 since his ambitious attempt at “The Double” at Indy. The playoff battles ahead mean the need for a turnaround is more urgent than ever, especially with Richmond victories offering some hope for the Hendrick driver.
Still, Harvick believes in the potential for a rebound:
“So, that’s the part, I think they’ll show back up at some point, but it hasn’t been great. … I think when you look back at it, it’s still, the issues started at Indy.”
—Kevin Harvick, 2014 NASCAR Cup Champion
These challenges for even the sport’s biggest stars reflect the tough decisions facing everyone in the garage—from Zilisch contemplating a championship-versus-career move, to Larson and his team attempting to recapture their earlier form.
What Lies Ahead for Zilisch and NASCAR’s Next Generation?
Zilisch’s decision over whether to prioritize immediate Xfinity title glory or focus on long-term Cup Series success will likely define his career trajectory. Kevin Harvick’s championship advice—rooted in both personal experience and concern for young drivers—underscores the realities of life in the fast-paced world of stock car racing, where patience and health can eclipse short-term success.
As NASCAR’s next generation stands at the threshold of greatness, the choices made in moments like these can shape lasting legacies. Harvick’s guidance offers a reminder that true excellence comes with calculated restraint, and for Zilisch, the next chapter could set the tone for years at the top of the racing world.
