Kevin Harvick, a seasoned NASCAR driver, recently praised Connor Zilisch as one of the greatest talents missed by Formula 1. The young driver has quickly emerged as a rising star in NASCAR, showcasing remarkable skill and adaptability throughout his rapid career development. Harvick’s comments came during a discussion on the Speed with Harvick and Buxton program, where the focus was on Zilisch’s impressive progress in stock car racing.
Connor Zilisch, a 19-year-old from the United States, started karting at the age of five in 2011 before transitioning to car racing in 2021. After spending several years racing karts in both the US and Europe, he returned to America to compete in the Mazda MX5 Cup and the Trans Am TA2 series. By 2023, Zilisch made his debuts in Late Model and ARCA series, quickly gaining recognition for his natural ability and speed in stock cars.
In 2024, Zilisch participated in select Truck Series and Xfinity Series races with teams like Spire Motorsports and JR Motorsports. His success earned him a full-time Xfinity Series ride for Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s team in 2025, where he finished as the runner-up in his rookie season. Additionally, Red Bull sponsored his Cup Series debut at the Circuit of The Americas in 2023 and expanded its support for Zilisch and teammate Shane van Gisbergen through 2026.
Kevin Harvick Reflects on Zilisch’s Potential as an F1 Competitor
When asked about Zilisch’s talent on the program, Harvick described him as “the miss that F1 had,” emphasizing the young racer’s ability to excel in multiple racing disciplines. Harvick noted that Zilisch’s background in karting, combined with his intelligence and speed, made him highly competitive and adaptable to different types of vehicles and racing environments.
“Well, to put it in perspective for our viewers that are outside of the NASCAR world, he’s the miss that F1 had. He would have been as competitive as any American could have possibly ever been. Went through the karting system, had the capabilities and the knowledge and the speed and the smarts to be able to put it together and he can adapt to anything that he drives. Thank god they missed keeping him overseas.” ?Kevin Harvick, NASCAR Veteran
Play-by-play announcer Will Buxton expressed interest in seeing Zilisch compete in iconic events such as the Indy 500, following the path of Kyle Larson, who recently raced at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This suggestion underscored the growing recognition of Zilisch’s broad racing capabilities beyond NASCAR’s stock car circuits.
Connor Zilisch’s Experience Racing Against Top Young Drivers in Europe
During his karting years in Europe, Zilisch competed against notable drivers now climbing toward Formula 1, including Kimi Antonelli and Arvid Lindblad. Zilisch has praised Antonelli as one of the most talented opponents he has faced, recognizing the Italian racer’s qualities that led him to join Mercedes as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement.
“I spent three or four years racing against him (Antonelli). I always knew he was going to make it to F1. I always knew. He’s one of the best drivers, top three drivers I’ve ever raced against, just talent-wise. So I always knew he was one of the guys that was going to make it and then guys like Arvid Lindblad, he’s going to race for VCARB.” ?Connor Zilisch, NASCAR Driver
Antonelli, regarded as a future rival to Max Verstappen, impressed during his debut Formula 1 season by matching teammate George Russell’s pace. Although his performance showed promise, the driver’s lack of extensive experience created some inconsistency throughout the season.
Significance of Zilisch’s Career Trajectory and Future Prospects
Connor Zilisch’s swift rise in NASCAR and the stock car racing world reflects both his extraordinary talent and adaptability, qualities that Kevin Harvick believes could have translated well into Formula 1. Zilisch’s experiences racing internationally and his achievements in US-based series demonstrate a rare versatility for a driver his age. With strong support from top teams such as Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s JR Motorsports and backing from sponsors like Red Bull, Zilisch’s future in NASCAR appears bright.
His runner-up finish in the 2025 Xfinity Series rookie season places him among the sport’s most promising talents, and the potential for crossover into other premier racing events like the Indy 500 signals an expanding horizon for his career. As Zilisch continues to develop, the motorsport community will be watching closely to see if his blend of skill and experience can lead to greater success, whether in NASCAR, open-wheel racing, or beyond.
He’s been called a generational talent. @KevinHarvick is thankful that F1 missed on Connor Zilisch. @wbuxtonofficial | @NASCAR pic.twitter.com/CxqdcPsLii
— SPEED on FOX (@SPEEDonFOX) February 24, 2026
