Connor Zilisch’s NASCAR friendship story with Formula 1 superstar Max Verstappen began in a spontaneous moment that bridged racing’s biggest stages. Their unique connection, forged through a casual dinner and a shared passion for competition, now shapes Zilisch’s journey as he chases the Xfinity Series crown in 2025.
How Two Racers from Different Worlds Connected
Unexpected bonds can emerge in motorsport, often sparked by fleeting encounters. The friendship between Connor Zilisch and Max Verstappen began at a Red Bull event, where Zilisch, next to his No. 87 car, playfully invited Verstappen, “You want to get in?”. Verstappen’s response signaled genuine interest:
I mean, I would like to do it.
— Max Verstappen, Formula 1 Driver
However, their real story starts much earlier. The true origins trace back to about a year ago in Texas, where Zilisch, Verstappen, and Shane van Gisbergen shared a laid-back dinner. Orchestrated by van Gisbergen, the gathering was more than just a meetup—it was the spark of a bond, grown during the hopes and frustrations of the COVID shutdown. With racetracks closed, iRacing simulations became the arena, drawing drivers like Verstappen and van Gisbergen into teamwork and, ultimately, friendship. This digital camaraderie set the stage when Zilisch joined them for filming and an unplanned dinner.
I went to dinner with him (Max) about a year ago in Texas. I went down there to film a video with SVG and the other two Red Bull F1 drivers. I filmed a video with them, and Shane is actually pretty good friends with Max because during COVID, you know, when everyone was on iRacing and on simulators messing around when they couldn’t race in real life, SVG and Max were teammates on iRacing, so they became close friends. I was down there filming with SVG, and he invited me to dinner with him and Max.
— Connor Zilisch, NASCAR Driver
The dinner in Texas was relaxed, not a headline event, but a casual hangout where the trio shared stories and found common ground. For Zilisch, it was an enlightening chance to meet Verstappen away from cameras and crowds, seeing not a global superstar but a fellow competitor focused on racing’s essence. Zilisch expressed this realization directly:
He’s definitely a lot different than the public kind of makes him out to be,
— Connor Zilisch, NASCAR Driver
He’s just another one of us. He’s a racer. He likes racing, you know, just wants to go to the track and win races and not have to worry about the life that he, you know, lives.
— Connor Zilisch, NASCAR Driver
While Verstappen’s reputation shines with Formula 1 stardom, debuting at seventeen and collecting world championships since 2021, Zilisch saw firsthand the spirit beneath the headlines. In that Texas dinner room, racing’s universality eclipsed barriers between F1 and NASCAR, creating genuine respect and understanding.
Shared Ambitions and Future Possibilities
After their Texas dinner, the friendship only grew as they crossed paths at other events. The energy they shared was evident months later in Austria when Zilisch, recalling the Red Bull meeting, again asked Verstappen if he wanted to try out his stock car. Verstappen’s reply echoed his previous enthusiasm:
I would like to do it.
— Max Verstappen, Formula 1 Driver
This authentic curiosity for new challenges knit together the two drivers, despite their different career paths. Zilisch’s admiration for Verstappen centers on his willingness to try anything with wheels, highlighting a mutual respect that underlies their unique connection:
You know, I just was joking around with him. You know, he’s a guy that I feel like would race anything if he was given the opportunity and had the time to do so, so I definitely respect him and look up to him. He’s obviously crazy talented, and hopefully one day he’ll get over here and, you know, get the chance to race either some stock cars or sports cars or something.
— Connor Zilisch, NASCAR Driver
Verstappen, too, has hinted at ambitions that could see him cross over into American motorsports. Back in 2021, he was upfront about his interest in NASCAR:
I would like to try NASCAR one day. It’s something different, and I think it would be a fun challenge.
— Max Verstappen, Formula 1 Driver
With precedents like Shane van Gisbergen’s surprise win at Chicago’s street course in 2023, Verstappen’s NASCAR dreams feel increasingly realistic. The door is open for more Formula 1 involvement in NASCAR, and Zilisch’s strong relationship with Verstappen could be a catalyst, especially as the two drivers remain hungry to test new limits.
Zilisch’s Standout Year in NASCAR’s Xfinity Series
While the international spotlight shines on his friendships, Zilisch is dominating the Xfinity Series. In 2025, he’s become the favorite for the Xfinity title, with a commanding lead fueled by a regular-season championship and ten wins. His momentum shows in repeated pole positions at challenging tracks like COTA, rain-soaked victories at Dover, and a comfortable margin atop the Round of 8 entering the unpredictable Talladega race.
At just nineteen, Zilisch has eclipsed previous records, including a mid-season run of four straight wins and a streak of eighteen consecutive top-five finishes. These feats have justified Trackhouse Racing’s decision to reserve him a Cup Series seat for 2026, elevating Zilisch from a promising rookie to a top-tier name alongside established Cup contenders and legends.
The pressure is evident among his rivals. Sheldon Creed, after a tough run in Las Vegas, explained how constant adjustments are crucial to keep up:
We’ll be pretty good in practice, and then we start the race like 10 out of 10 loose, so that was challenging at the start.
— Sheldon Creed, NASCAR Driver
For Joe Gibbs Racing and competitors like Sam Mayer, the path to victory is defined by razor-thin improvements. Mayer himself noted how even good results can be refined:
Even though it wasn’t the best, we still made it better, but there’s always room for improvement,
— Sam Mayer, NASCAR Driver
Mayer’s early-career energy mirrors Zilisch’s, but with only three wins to his name, the contrast illuminates how Zilisch’s resilience—like winning at Portland shortly after a collarbone injury—powers an almost unstoppable championship charge. With the season finale at Phoenix on the horizon and his consistency unwavering, Zilisch’s focus on pure speed, reminiscent of his early karting years, has become his defining advantage.
The Broader Impact of Zilisch’s Racing Network
The emergence of Connor Zilisch as a NASCAR star is more than a stat sheet of wins and unfaltering finishes; it’s shaped by the influence of friendships that cross international lines and disciplines. The support and competitive drive from connections like Max Verstappen and Shane van Gisbergen bring a fresh blend of Formula 1 precision and NASCAR tenacity into Zilisch’s mindset, helping him stand out on the American racing stage.
This fusion may hint at what’s to come for both Zilisch and world-class peers like Verstappen. With talk of crossover events continuing, and as NASCAR seeks to expand its appeal worldwide, the Zilisch-Verstappen dynamic could inspire more global icons to step into the stock car arena. Their friendship, born in digital races and solidified through real-world meetings, highlights how racing continues to unite and evolve, setting the stage for new chapters in motorsport history.
How did @ConnorZilisch & Max Verstappen become friends?
From @Kenny_Wallace Conversations!
Full show:https://t.co/ctbjCtEoWz pic.twitter.com/CYL0qbplgl
— The Kenny Wallace Show (@KWallaceShow) October 14, 2025
