Kevin Harvick’s latest remarks about Connor Zilisch have sparked a wave of reaction across NASCAR circles, reigniting debates about the sport’s next generational talent. Harvick, the 2014 Cup Series champion, compared the 19-year-old prospect to Jeff Gordon, labeling him the most polished young driver since the four-time Cup champion first entered the sport. Fans have not held back their views, fueling discussions about whether Zilisch is destined to deliver on the enormous expectations now being placed upon him.
Key Highlights
Kevin Harvick compared Connor Zilisch to Jeff Gordon, calling him the most well-rounded prospect since Gordon’s Cup debut
Zilisch leads the 2025 Xfinity Series in wins with seven, along with five poles, 13 top-5s, and 15 top-10 finishes
Next year, Zilisch will move to the Cup Series with Trackhouse Racing, replacing Daniel Suárez as teammate to Chastain and van Gisbergen
Justin Marks compared Zilisch to F1’s Max Verstappen, predicting he can contend for victories as a rookie in NASCAR’s top level
Fans have shared both excitement and caution, referencing past “next big things” who failed to reach the same expectations
Kevin Harvick’s Bold Claim
On his Happy Hour podcast, Harvick spoke candidly about Zilisch’s readiness for NASCAR’s top level. The former Stewart-Haas Racing driver drew a direct line between Zilisch and Jeff Gordon, who changed the sport upon his Cup debut in the early 1990s.
“You’re going to have a new team… around him. You’re going to have a lot of challenges. But he is the most polished, most well-rounded young driver that’s come to the Cup series in a long time, since Jeff Gordon.” – Kevin Harvick
Harvick has been instrumental in Zilisch’s career trajectory. In 2021, he brought the North Carolina native under his wing after spotting his raw potential in go-karts. That decision redirected Zilisch toward American stock car racing rather than pursuing a full path toward Formula 1.
Connor Zilisch is going full-time Cup Series racing in 2026. @KevinHarvick says Zilisch is the most well-rounded young driver since Jeff Gordon. pic.twitter.com/5Fa4dlmXss
— HarvickHappyHour (@HarvickHappyPod) August 26, 2025
Trackhouse’s Bet on Zilisch
Trackhouse Racing owner Justin Marks echoed Harvick’s confidence, going even further with his comparisons. Marks said Zilisch has shown traits similar to Max Verstappen, who stormed into Formula 1 at 17 and became one of the sport’s most dominant champions.
“All of those things together, he’s demonstrated in a way that I’ve not ever seen a teenager be able to do before. When you recognize that you’ve got that in a package, you have to run with it. We’ve seen it. I mean, Max Verstappen, and there’s been other drivers that have gotten sort of thrown into the top level at a young age, and all of those guys kind of demonstrate the same thing.” – Justin Marks
Marks emphasized that Trackhouse would not make such a bold move if they did not believe Zilisch could succeed immediately.
“We wouldn’t be doing this if we didn’t think that he’d be successful, if we didn’t think that he’d be able to win as a rookie. We’re just thrilled to be able to have him.” – Justin Marks
NASCAR Fan Reaction
Fans have had plenty to say about Harvick’s comparison. Some pointed to Zilisch’s résumé as proof that the hype is justified, while others reminded fellow fans of previous prospects who never met the lofty standards placed upon them.
“Connor’s resume at 19 years old far surpasses Casey’s, and most others for that matter.” – NASCAR fan reaction
“Like maybe the only driver in the world who had a better resume at 19 is Max Verstappen.” – NASCAR fan reaction
“I agree. But I don’t know how much of that potential we’ll get to see in a Trackhouse car.” – NASCAR fan reaction
“Jeff Gordon called Johnson. Mark Martin called Logano. Kevin Harvick calls Zilisch.” – NASCAR fan reaction
The mixed perspectives reflect both excitement and caution, underscoring how rare it is for a teenager to enter the Cup Series with this much buzz.
Zilisch’s Path Forward
Zilisch’s current Xfinity Series season has been dominant. With seven wins—four more than defending champion Justin Allgaier—he has quickly established himself as a frontrunner. He also leads in poles and sits among the top in both top-5 and top-10 finishes. His performance has accelerated conversations about whether he can win the championship in his rookie season. If successful, he would join Chase Elliott as one of the rare drivers to capture the Xfinity title as a rookie.
“Everyone with a brain knows Zilisch is the next big thing.” – NASCAR fan reaction
Next year, Zilisch will step into the Cup Series, replacing Daniel Suárez at Trackhouse. He will team with Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen, though his car number remains undecided. His debut comes with expectations that echo Gordon’s arrival in the early 1990s, where the young driver quickly transformed NASCAR’s competitive landscape.
News in Brief: Fans Fired Up Over Kevin Harvick’s Take on Connor Zilisch
Kevin Harvick called Connor Zilisch the most polished NASCAR prospect since Jeff Gordon, sparking fan reactions about his potential and comparisons to past hyped drivers. Zilisch currently leads the Xfinity Series with seven wins and will replace Daniel Suárez at Trackhouse Racing in 2026, joining Chastain and van Gisbergen. Team owner Justin Marks likened him to Max Verstappen, saying he could win races as a rookie. With Zilisch’s rise gaining momentum, his Cup Series debut is already shaping into one of NASCAR’s most anticipated stories.
ALSO READ: Kevin Harvick’s Bold Claim: Are Johnson & Busch’s Championships Fake?
