Ross Chastain has expressed excitement at the prospect of having Connor Zilisch join him as a full-time teammate at Trackhouse Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series next season, highlighting the importance of Ross Chastain mentoring Connor Zilisch for this major career move. Zilisch, currently 19 years old and from Mooresville, North Carolina, has created a buzz in NASCAR circles due to a break-out Xfinity Series season and now faces the leap to the sport’s top level.
Zilisch’s Standout Season Sets the Stage for Cup Series Promotion
Connor Zilisch’s performance in the NASCAR Xfinity Series has captivated observers and industry insiders alike. The young driver has achieved a series-high of seven wins, thirteen top-five finishes, and fifteen top-ten results, alongside clinching five pole positions to top the field. Zilisch sits just three points behind Justin Allgaier, his JR Motorsports teammate, in the series standings as the regular season nears its end before the playoffs. However, his partnership with JR Motorsports is set to conclude after this campaign, as he will take Daniel Suarez’s spot at Trackhouse Racing following Suarez’s contract expiration. This transition marks a significant development for both Zilisch and the Cup Series grid.
Chastain’s Good-Natured Banter Turns to Mentorship
On The Teardown podcast, hosted by The Athletic’s Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi and featuring all Cup playoff qualifiers, Chastain began with levity, joking about Zilisch’s recent injury. The younger driver sustained a broken collarbone after a victory at Watkins Glen three weeks ago. Chastain commented,
“Well, I wanted to make sure that Trackhouse had our insurance policy up to date, health insurance, make sure we’ve got everything, workman’s comp, all up (and) paid,”
—Ross Chastain, Driver. He then added,
“It’s a walking medical bill. Luckily, he’s still walking.”
—Ross Chastain, Driver.
Despite Zilisch’s accident, Chastain noted that team members kept the mood light soon after, sharing,
“Sunday morning (was when Chastain gave his first one-liner about Zilisch), when I knew he was okay and he was on his way to the track,”
—Ross Chastain, Driver. Chastain described his pit crew as “jokesters,” recalling,
“He wasn’t even back to the track yet but he was going to be there, and we saw him on the grid that Sunday, and we had all kinds of jokes flying around. So we waited till Sunday but we only gave it one night.”
—Ross Chastain, Driver.
Recognizing Zilisch’s Unique Talent and the Challenge Ahead
While Chastain began his commentary with humor, he shifted to admiration for Zilisch’s skills and composure under racing pressure.
“Yeah, he’s 19 and it’s not fair (that Zilisch has so much talent),”
—Ross Chastain, Driver. Chastain has been candid with Zilisch and the leadership at both Trackhouse Racing and JR Motorsports, stating,
“I’ve told him that and I’ve told Justin (Trackhouse team owner Justin Marks) and Mardy (Lindley) is crew chief over at (JR Motorsports) and the group over there. It’s not fair what he’s able to do and how he’s able to deal with all this.”
—Ross Chastain, Driver. Yet, Chastain underscored how significant and daunting the jump to the Cup level can be:
“I do still believe the old saying I heard a long time ago: there’s no further walk on this earth than walking from the Xfinity to the Cup garage. I think that still rings true.”
—Ross Chastain, Driver.
Chastain’s Perspective: The Need for Guidance in Cup Series Transition
Chastain understands the pressures of moving up the NASCAR ladder, reflecting that he did not enjoy such early career triumphs as Zilisch did in Trucks or Xfinity but nevertheless recognizes the steep learning curve most drivers encounter at the Cup level. He pointed out that some Xfinity standouts have struggled to adjust to the demands and competition intensity of the Cup Series at first. Because of this, Chastain views mentoring as critical for Zilisch’s development, especially given the high expectations from Trackhouse Racing and the stakes involved.
“So Trackhouse, like they have to insulate him and put him in a position to succeed,”
—Ross Chastain, Driver, he stated, emphasizing the importance of surrounding Zilisch with supportive team members and fostering wise decisions on and off the track. Chastain further noted,
“There’s also a lot of responsibility. This is the big time and it is a big deal to be here.”
—Ross Chastain, Driver.
What This Means for Trackhouse Racing and NASCAR’s Future
Zilisch’s rapid rise and upcoming partnership with Ross Chastain creates both opportunity and challenge for Trackhouse Racing as they usher in a new era. The team must balance Zilisch’s promise and performance with an environment that shields him from the stresses of top-tier racing, relying on veteran figures such as Chastain for guidance. With names like Justin Marks leading the organization and experienced teammates like Shane van Gisbergen in the lineup, Trackhouse is positioned to support Zilisch’s growth at the highest level. As Zilisch prepares for his Cup debut, the entire NASCAR community will be watching to see how this mentoring—rooted in shared experiences and candid advice—translates to results on the track and impacts the landscape of professional racing.
