Kevin Harvick on Connor Zilisch season took a humorous turn after a series of post-race mishaps, highlighting not his skills on the track, but the incidents that have occurred during his celebrations. Harvick commented on Zilisch’s accidents after races, suggesting that the only obstacles the young star faces are those outside of his race car, following another eventful win at Gateway last weekend.
On-Track Success Overshadowed by Post-Race Accidents
While Connor Zilisch continues to impress during races, it is his exits from the car that have garnered attention lately. After securing a win at Watkins Glen, Zilisch suffered a broken collarbone due to slipping off the roof of his car while celebrating in Victory Lane. Since that incident, he has adapted his celebrations, but mishaps keep following him. Last Saturday at Gateway, as Zilisch celebrated his victory by sliding down the windshield, he accidentally ripped his fire suit, catching it on a hood pin.
The weekend win not only increased his tally, but also ensured that Zilisch clinched the NASCAR Xfinity Series regular season championship. Kevin Harvick, speaking on his Happy Hour podcast, quipped,
“The biggest detriment to Connor is he’s just a little bit accident-prone outside of the race car. It’s never going to be inside the race car,”
—Kevin Harvick, Happy Hour podcast. Harvick further described the Gateway scene:
“This week, he tore up his suit sliding down the car, got hooked on a hood pin and ripped the ass out of his suit. … Connor’s biggest fear is getting hurt exiting the car. Bout killed the cameraman doing his burnout, slid down there and bout wiped out the cameraman.”
—Kevin Harvick, Happy Hour podcast.
The drama didn’t end with Zilisch’s wardrobe malfunction. After seizing his ninth win of the season—more than any other driver—he performed a celebratory burnout on the front straightaway. During the excitement, Zilisch’s car came dangerously close to a cameraman, who remained unshaken despite the near-miss on live television.
Dominant Performance Puts Zilisch in Elite Company
Zilisch’s run of form is nothing short of remarkable, with the Gateway victory marking eight wins in his last eleven starts. Such a streak is rarely seen in the series. Harvick drew comparisons to the legendary Kyle Busch, who holds the record for most Xfinity wins in a single season. In 2010, Busch claimed 13 checkered flags, a mark Zilisch is now chasing with nine wins halfway into the season. Seven races remain before the playoffs, which start Friday at Bristol.
Harvick acknowledged Zilisch’s prolific achievement, stating,
“Really, the only thing you can compare to the season he’s having — just outside the fact that he’s a rookie, he’s blowing all that away — you’re starting to get compared to those great years Kyle Busch had in the car,”
—Kevin Harvick, Happy Hour podcast. He added,
“and all those wins and different things that he was able to accomplish when he was in his prime.”
—Kevin Harvick, Happy Hour podcast.
As the playoffs approach, the key question now surrounds whether Zilisch can maintain his dominance while avoiding further off-track injuries. Despite the accidents and dramatic celebrations, Zilisch enters the postseason as the driver to beat, his wins casting a long shadow over the competition and placing him in the conversation with some of the sport’s greatest talents.
