Connor Zilisch is stepping into his rookie season in the NASCAR Cup Series, motivated by his strong performance last year but aware of the challenges ahead. Reflecting on his near-championship finish previously, he approaches this season with an open mindset, focusing on learning and growth as he adapts to a higher level of competition.
He stated,
“Yeah, last year definitely lights a fire under me to go out and chase something that I’ve wanted to accomplish for a long time. I know I couldn’t win the championship last year, and I know it’s going to be way, way different this season. So, I don’t have any expectations to go out and win a championship at all. But I definitely want to work towards that and one day be able to be in the position to go out and win one. But I’m just excited for this season to go out and learn; have fun and enjoy it. I know it’s going to be a challenge. I know it’s going to be tougher than it was last year, and I’m ready for that.”
— Connor Zilisch, Driver
Adjusting Goals and Expectations with New Level of Competition
Unlike the clear targets set during his time in the NOAPS series, Zilisch and his team have yet to formalize specific goals for the Cup Series season. With many unknowns this year, the rookie is prioritizing steady improvement over immediate results.
“No, I haven’t really set any goals for myself. I don’t really know what to expect coming into this year, so it’s hard to set expectations when there’s so much new for me and my team. I’m excited. You know, my biggest goal is to be a better driver at the end of the year than I am today, and if I can accomplish that, then I’d be satisfied.”
— Connor Zilisch, Driver
Receiving Guidance from Veterans on Handling Cup Series Demands
Zilisch has sought advice from experienced Cup Series drivers to prepare for the rigors of NASCAR’s highest level. Consistently, the message has been one of anticipating greater difficulty and managing pressure without losing sight of the joy in pursuing his dream.
“Yeah, I mean, I think everybody I’ve talked to has told me that it’s going to be harder than I expect it to be. I think after 10 to 15 guys that have done it have told me that, I think that’s when it finally starts to sink in and you realize that — OK, maybe these guys aren’t lying to me. I’ve definitely gotten some great advice from a lot of people. But overall, I’d say the biggest thing is just to not let the stress and pressure of racing at the highest level overcome the amount of life lessons and the enjoyment of living out your dream. I think that’s, for me, the biggest thing is that no matter how hard it gets, no matter how many bad days and good days there’s going to be, to just remember that you are living out your childhood dream. You made it to where you want to be and just remember to enjoy it.”
— Connor Zilisch, Driver
Adapting to Short-Track Challenges for Early Season Races
Despite a lack of prior Cup Series short-track experience, Zilisch faces early races at demanding venues like Bowman Gray with willingness to learn rapidly. He draws on recent testing experiences but acknowledges the learning curve will be steep with unique track conditions.
“Yeah, I mean, it’s going to be a lot to figure out quickly. I’m in Group One. The track’s obviously been sitting here for a while and hasn’t had the best weather on it the last week and a half, two weeks, so by no means is practice going to be an indicator of how qualifying is going to be. But I got to test at North Wilkesboro a couple weeks ago and get a little bit of short-track experience. But yeah, this track’s going to be a lot different than North Wilkesboro was. So yeah, I’m just going to have to learn quick, adapt quick and figure it out on the go. But it’s certainly not going to be easy today. I know that already being in Group One, we’re all at a bit of a disadvantage just with how the track’s going to evolve. But everybody has kind of been dealt the same card, so you’ve got to figure it out, deal with it and make the most of the situation you’ve got.”
— Connor Zilisch, Driver
Preparing for the Physicality and Contact-Heavy Racing at Bowman Gray
Bowman Gray’s reputation as a physically demanding track means Zilisch expects a contact-filled race, differing significantly from other tracks like Martinsville where he raced last year. He understands the inevitable nature of aggressive racing and aims to stay focused rather than emotional.
“Yeah, I mean, there’s no way to prepare for it, right? You can go on iRacing, and I’m sure that iRacing would probably be pretty similar to how it’s going to be today with everybody hitting each other. And that’s really the only way to pass. It’s hard to pass here without making contact, so it just leads to being a physical race. I think everybody knows that coming in, so that’s why you don’t see tempers flare. Obviously, people get upset, and you can get mad. But at the end of the day, it’s expected. It’s bound to happen. You can’t let it get to you. You can’t get emotional. You’ve just got to focus on making your next best corner and making the most of the next opportunity you have. It’s certainly going to be new to me. I’ve never raced at a track like this before. I raced at Flat Rock in Michigan in the ARCA Series once, but ARCA is obviously a lot different than the Cup Series. It’s going to be an experience for me, and I’ve got a lot to learn, but I’m excited. I mean, I feel like starting off the year here, it’s kind of low pressure. We’re not racing for points. Just go out and do your best to make the show.”
— Connor Zilisch, Driver
Reflecting on Last Year’s Struggles and Mindset Improvements
Zilisch candidly evaluated some areas he aims to improve after last season, including his approach to expectations and maintaining hunger to improve regardless of prior success.
“Yeah, I mean, we all have our struggles, right? And nobody’s perfect. Obviously I feel like there’s things that I can work on. I feel like last year, there were a couple of tracks I struggled at, and I feel like I did let myself get a little bit too comfortable at points. I knew my cars were going to be good every week, and that can lead to having that expectation that no matter what happens, I’m going to go out and contend for a win, and I think that’s a bad mindset to have. So obviously that’s not going to be the case this year. I’m not going to have the expectation to go out and win every week, so that’s going to change. But I feel like just making sure that I stay hungry no matter what’s going on is important. and I think that that’s going to be more so the case this year, with the fact that I’m going to have to catch up to the guys that I’m around. And I know that going into it, so I’m ready for that challenge. I know I’ve got a lot ahead of me. I’ve got a lot of races ahead of me. I’ve got a lot of experience and lessons over the next 40 weeks. But that excites me.”
— Connor Zilisch, Driver
Leveraging Experience from Rolex 24 to Enhance Readiness
Although vastly different from Cup Series racing, Zilisch’s participation in the Rolex 24 endurance race provided critical experience in managing competition at a high level, preparing him mentally for the grueling NASCAR season.
“I don’t know if it really gets any more opposite than the Rolex 24 in a hybrid hypercar versus coming to Bowman Gray in a Cup car (laughs). But it’s good to get all the muscles warmed up and get back in a competitive spirit. That was my first time racing at the highest level of IMSA. And, you know, I’m going into my first year in the Cup Series, which is the highest level of NASCAR. So it was good to get that challenge. I struggled at first in that, just like I expect to have to learn here, as well. I’m just excited to go through it, right? I’ve got a great team around me with Trackhouse Racing and Chevrolet. Did the Rolex prepare me for today? I wouldn’t say those two correlate all that much. But the experience of racing at the highest level and having a lot of great people around me and surrounding me at that race is definitely helpful. And the more experience like that I can get, the better. So, yeah, I’m excited for this season. I’ve got a lot to look forward to with a great team around me at Trackhouse and great teammates with Shane (Van Gisbergen) and Ross (Chastain). Yeah, just excited to hopefully make the most of it.”
— Connor Zilisch, Driver
Closing the Experience Gap Through Simulation and Adaptability
Zilisch points to the challenge presented by limited track time and experience in the Next Gen cars, a hurdle common to rookies in the series. Though simulators and data analysis help, he emphasizes adaptability and rapid learning as keys to competing.
“Yeah, I mean, it’s tough. There’s not really an answer to that one. You know, I’m 19 years old, and 15 years ago, you’d say the way to make up the experience is to just go pound laps each week and be at the track four days a week and test every day. But, you know, nowadays, there is no way to make up experience, right? Everyone runs the same amount of laps each year. We all race 38 weekends, and we all practice and qualify each week, and that’s all we do. So, you know, no matter what I do, I’m lacking four years of Next Gen experience compared to the guys that I’m racing against. So yeah, you can do as much as you can. I’ve got a great group of people at Chevrolet with Josh Wise and everybody over there who I work with each week to prepare. But at the end of the day, there is no way to make up experience. And at the highest level, that’s tough to accept. But, you know, I’m in a spot where I have to adapt and learn and figure things out quickly. I think all the rookies who have gone to the Cup Series know that. They understand that you can’t sit here and complain about it because there’s nothing you can do about it. So, yeah, you’ve just got to figure things out quickly; adapt and be adaptable, and I think that’s the only way you can do it. The simulators are great. They help. But at the end of the day, it’s nothing like strapping into a race car and going out and racing for real.”
— Connor Zilisch, Driver
Mental Resilience and Enjoying the Journey as Keys to Longevity
As Zilisch navigates his first Cup Series campaign, the advice from established drivers centers on maintaining perspective, handling setbacks, and embracing the fun of racing to avoid burnout.
“Yeah, I feel like I touched on it a little bit. I’ve had a lot of people tell me that it’s not going to be easy. You’re going to have a lot of bad weeks, and you’re going to lose a lot more than you’re going to win. I feel like I’ve had a lot of great advice. I want people to be honest with me. I don’t want people to fluff me. You know, I want to be able to get honest advice from people that I can trust, and I feel like I’ve gotten that. I feel like going into this year, my biggest goal and my mindset is just to try and get better each week and kind of ignore what the results are because the results will fluctuate. You know, you’ll have good weeks and bad weeks, but if I look back on the year and I say that I’m the same driver today that I will be in November at Homestead, then that’s when I know that I’ve done something wrong. So I’d say the biggest advice and the advice I’ve heard the most is just to have fun and enjoy it. Don’t let it get to you. Don’t let the moment be too big. Just always remember to try and have fun because if you’re going to be here for a long time, you can get burnt out quick, if you are too hard on yourself.”
— Connor Zilisch, Driver
Outlook on Growth and Long-Term Potential in the NASCAR Cup Series
Connor Zilisch’s rookie season marks a critical phase in his racing career, where gaining experience and refining skills take precedence over immediate wins. Supported by Trackhouse Racing, Chevrolet, and teammates Shane Van Gisbergen and Ross Chastain, he embraces the steep learning curve ahead.
With an understanding of the obstacles and a mindset grounded in perseverance and enjoyment, Zilisch aims to build a solid foundation across a demanding series of races, positioning himself for future opportunities and success.
