Budding star Connor Zilisch has expressed that stepping up from NASCAR’s lower tiers to the Cup Series represents a significantly steeper test than moving into Formula One, a view that challenges the common perception held by millions of auto racing fans worldwide. The Connor Zilisch NASCAR Cup jump will happen next season, as Zilisch advances to the top level with Trackhouse Racing, sparking conversation about the relative difficulty of top-tier racing moves.
Comparing the Challenging Pathways to Racing’s Elite Levels
Formula One is widely considered the summit of global motorsports, with only 20 seats currently available—set to expand to 22 next season due to Cadillac USA’s entry. This scarcity of opportunity fuels the belief that reaching F1 requires extraordinary talent and persistence. Yet, Connor Zilisch, who has excelled in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, sees the inner leap within NASCAR as an even more formidable obstacle.
“Obviously, (four-time F1 champ) Max Verstappen is a once-in-a-generation talent, and yeah, it’s hard to say I’m going to be like him and have as successful a jump to the highest level as he did,”
Zilisch told CBS Sports. He went on:
“Obviously, I know the jump to the Cup Series is nothing easy and it’s going to be tough no matter what and no matter who you are.”
— Connor Zilisch, NASCAR Driver
Zilisch’s Ascent Mirrors Verstappen’s Early Stardom
This season, Zilisch has dominated the Xfinity Series, racking up 10 victories across 32 races for JR Motorsports. His rapid development echoes Max Verstappen’s rise; Verstappen joined F1 at age 17 in 2015 from Belgium, capturing his first victory the following season and then claiming four straight championships from 2021 through the last campaign. Verstappen, currently third in the championship, pursues his fifth title this year, securing his legacy as a central figure in Formula One.
Zilisch, a native of Charlotte, North Carolina, known as NASCAR’s heartland, also initiated his professional career at 17. In only two seasons, he has ascended quickly through the Truck and Xfinity ranks, drawing comparisons to Verstappen’s meteoric progression, and positioning himself as a potential transformative force in NASCAR’s future.
A Closer Look at NASCAR’s Competitive Dynamics
As Zilisch prepares to replace Daniel Suarez at Trackhouse Racing, a team reshuffling that leaves Suarez currently unsigned for 2026, he offers perspective on why he views the Cup Series leap as especially demanding. Zilisch remarked:
“I feel that just the way he was brought up, it might be a little bit easier for him, and especially in F1, with how car-dependent it is. I feel it’s easier to rise to the occasion.”
— Connor Zilisch, NASCAR Driver
He further reflected on the differences:
“(But) with NASCAR, all the cars are very even and the driver makes a really big difference in car feedback and what the car needs. I feel like it’s just a little bit tougher and it’s a much different jump.”
— Connor Zilisch, NASCAR Driver
Zilisch elaborated,
“So I think it is going to be a bit of a harder jump than maybe a guy like Max Verstappen going to F1. But you know it’s definitely possible. And I get confidence from a guy like him who was able to do it at my age. I feel like there have been guys in the past who have made the jump and really struggled, but I just hope that I’m able to kind of adapt quicker, and I feel like my background and all the different cars (he’s driven) will help with that transition.”
— Connor Zilisch, NASCAR Driver
Fan Reaction and the Next Big Test
While some, particularly supporters of Formula One, may dismiss Zilisch’s comparison as youthful confidence, he points to his record as justification for his bold stance. Just as Verstappen met high expectations with early and repeated success, Zilisch believes performance on the track is the ultimate measure. The initial trial of his Cup Series readiness will come next February at the iconic Daytona 500, where the motorsports world will watch closely.
The discussion sparked by Zilisch’s comments not only frames expectations for his upcoming season but also invites broader debate about the demands of elite racing career transitions. With key organizations like JR Motorsports, Trackhouse Racing, and Cadillac USA shaping the modern landscape, and locations such as Charlotte and Daytona central to the story, the next chapter for Zilisch and NASCAR will soon unfold under the spotlight of one of racing’s grandest stages.
In earning a Cup ride at 19, Connor Zilisch has drawn direct comparisons to F1's Max Verstappen, who likewise made it to the highest level as a teenager and succeeded. I recently asked Zilisch about that comparison, especially given his background in open wheel.
Zilisch noted… pic.twitter.com/KSFdxy80ud
— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) October 10, 2025
