Connor Zilisch’s NASCAR championship journey has taken on an unexpected and compelling character as he aims for a landmark Xfinity Series title. The young driver’s ascent is marked by friendship, rivalry, and tenacity, culminating in a dramatic battle for racing glory at Phoenix in 2025.
Building a Racing Foundation from Go-Karts to Stock Cars
Before making his mark on NASCAR, Connor Zilisch began carving his path in motorsport as a child in go-karting, starting at just five years old. Over the course of a decade in the karting world, he sharpened his skills before transitioning to stock car racing in 2021. This foundational period was instrumental for Zilisch, as his involvement in coaching fellow young racers would inadvertently foster bonds that now define the upper echelons of his racing career.
It was during these early days that Zilisch first encountered Jesse Love, now one of his closest friends and fiercest competitors. Zilisch recalled,
In 2021, I wasn’t really into the NASCAR scene yet…Toyota would pay me a hundred bucks a day to go out there and coach all their development drivers in the go-karts…At this point, I was trying to get my name on the map…So I was doing it, and I met all the Toyota development drivers…Jesse was one of them, and that’s how I met him.
These coaching sessions, initially just a means of earning recognition, led Zilisch to cross paths with drivers who would shape his journey.
A Friendship Forged in Competition
Jesse Love and Connor Zilisch first met at Trackhouse Motorplex in 2021. At the time, Love was enrolled in Toyota’s driver development program and was starting to build his own reputation in the karting world. Their friendship, which began amid competition and skepticism, proved formative for both athletes’ careers. Zilisch described those first impressions by stating,
He (Jesse Love) could probably tell you a little better, but he thought, ‘Who the hell is this kid trying to tell me what to do?’ And that’s all I really did — I was a go-kart racer and a road racer, and I didn’t know any of the kids I was helping. But I was just trying to help them, and now that I look back on it, it’s kind of funny because all those drivers that I was helping, I’m now racing against. So yeah, I met Jesse through that, and we clicked pretty quickly. We’ve been friends ever since.
Zilisch’s natural pace on the track won over Love, transforming initial resistance into friendship and mutual respect.
The dynamic between Love and Zilisch has grown alongside their careers, often characterized by playful exchanges and support, even as the stakes have risen. Their bond is underscored by their comfort both during lighthearted moments and in high-pressure situations.
The Rise Through NASCAR: Breakout Campaigns and Rivalry
As both drivers advanced, the narrative shifted from cooperation to fierce competition. In 2024, Zilisch and Love have emerged as prominent figures contending for the Xfinity Series title. Their journey to the championship round has included notable performances, such as their dual top-five finishes throughout the season and a celebrated one-two result at Pocono Raceway in June.
Both drivers managed to earn their place in the final showdown at Phoenix. Zilisch, driving for JR Motorsports, locked in his title fight spot two weeks prior at Las Vegas, capping an impressive breakout season marked by dominant performances. Simultaneously, Jesse Love secured his berth in the Championship 4 with a gritty points run, overcoming setbacks like two pit road penalties and a challenging qualifying result yet managing a 23rd-place finish to advance.
Despite their camaraderie, the competitive fire burns bright. Love openly addressed the tension that comes from racing against a close friend, expressing,
Does it suck? Getting beat by your friend, yeah, it sucks. I’m not going to try to lie about that and say it doesn’t exist. It does exist. It isn’t fun. I do wish I was on the other side of that coin right now. But I also know that my timing is what it is for a certain reason … so I’m not necessarily worried about it.
Their rivalry is a current running beneath their friendship, intensifying as the possibility of taking the title from one another becomes reality.
Approaching the Phoenix Finale: High Stakes and Strong Mindsets
The 2025 Xfinity Series finale at Phoenix looms as the defining chapter in both drivers’ NASCAR championship journeys. Zilisch, often described as a “phenom” owing to his remarkable ten-win season, stands on the threshold of what could be a memorable achievement as the favorite for the title.
Amidst widespread attention, Zilisch downplays the mounting pressure, displaying the poise and steeliness that have marked his rookie campaign. Reflecting on what is ahead and his transition to the Cup Series next year, he remarked,
This is my last year racing Xfinity. I’m going to be in the Cup Series next year, and I’m going to struggle. And I want to enjoy this feeling of being the guy with 10 wins and the one going into the last race is, as the one who’s been the favorite for the last couple of months.
His ability to remain grounded—despite being the subject of speculation from veterans like Kevin Harvick, who said a loss would be a major disappointment—underscores the maturity that has quickly become part of his professional identity.
Zilisch’s intent to savor his breakout season, irrespective of the result at Phoenix, is further underlined by his ongoing effort to keep morale high among his team. He emphasized this in a message to his crew and supporters:
I want to enjoy this feeling, and I want to go out and make the most of it and try and give my team what they deserve and the championship they deserve. And if we don’t, is this year going to be a failure? Not at all. I feel like no matter what, this year has been a success. And I’ve tried to remind my guys that and tell them that no matter what happens this weekend, we don’t look at this year as this weekend defines our season.
These words offer a glimpse into Zilisch’s perspective as he strives for NASCAR’s highest honors while remaining aware of the journey’s full value.
A Season Defined by Triumphs and Challenges
The path to the final showdown at Phoenix is not without setbacks. Earlier in the year, Zilisch’s performance at the desert track resulted in a modest 16th place—a reminder that every race in the NASCAR calendar comes with its share of unpredictability and difficulty. Even as he arrives as a championship favorite, the final hurdle demands a perfect performance.
Love, just twenty years old, has also experienced the emotional pendulum swings that racing provides, grappling with pit road adversity and needing to rally late to secure his shot at the championship. As the two prepare to face off, the story is no longer just about track position; it is about their shared journey, mutual growth, and the ability to chase individual dreams while competing at the pinnacle of their sport.
The Broader Impact and What the Future Holds
The Connor Zilisch NASCAR championship journey is about more than a race or a trophy. It is a microcosm of the sport’s blend of friendship, rivalry, and relentless pursuit of excellence. Zilisch’s advancement to the Cup Series with Trackhouse Racing in the coming year marks just the next chapter in a rising career. The outcome of the Phoenix finale will be a historic footnote for both Zilisch and Love, but their intertwined stories—defined as much by respect and character as by on-track results—suggest enduring legacies within the sport.
As Phoenix approaches, fans, competitors, and the broader NASCAR community watch with anticipation, eager to see if Zilisch can convert his dominant sophomore campaign into an Xfinity Series championship. The impact of his and Love’s journeys, their growth from karting to heroes of the national stage, and their evolving rivalry represent the very heart of modern stock car racing and promise to resonate well beyond the final checkered flag.
