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From Rowdy to Mentor: NASCAR’s Kyle Busch Encourages Rookie Connor Zilisch after Tough Debut

Carl Harrison by Carl Harrison
March 4, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 2 mins read
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From Doubt to Debut: Connor Zilisch’s Incredible Journey to Breaking NASCAR Records

WeatherTech Chevrolet driver Connor Zilisch (88) crosses the starting line at the start of the NASCAR Xfinity Series Focused Health 250 at Circuit of the Americas on Saturday, March 1, 2025 in Austin.

In the past, Kyle Busch, a daring 25-year-old at Darlington in 2011, was notorious for his audacious maneuvers on the racetrack. Known for his aggressive style, Busch earned the nickname “Rowdy,” and by 2013 had clinched 100 victories across all series. His ruthless approach to racing, which included spinning Ron Hornaday Jr. in a Truck event, earned him a string of NASCAR suspensions. Busch’s win-at-all-costs mentality often put him at odds with the fans, who were frequently on the receiving end of his unapologetic gestures of defiance.

Fast forward to 2025, and at 39 years old, Busch exhibits a more composed demeanor, albeit still possessing his competitive spirit. The change is noticeable, especially since becoming a father. His racing tactics have evolved too, with a more strategic approach adopted following a physical decline after the 2015 Daytona incident. This shift in style saw him claim the 2019 Cup championship. Busch has also mellowed in his interactions with fans, replacing provocation with gratitude for their support.

Busch recently shifted gears from competitor to mentor, offering words of encouragement to rookie Connor Zilisch. Zilisch had a tough start during his debut at the NASCAR Cup Series event at Circuit of the Americas on March 2, 2025. The 18-year-old collided with Daniel Suárez on the 50th lap, leading to a disappointing 37th place finish. Suárez, however, downplayed the incident, attributing it to a minor miscalculation.

In a bid to comfort the young racer, Busch, a two-time champ, took to social media to remind Zilisch that he too had a rocky start in his career. Busch’s first NASCAR Cup Series race in 2004 ended prematurely due to car damage, and he finished last. Despite the initial setback, Busch overcame the odds, a fact he was quick to remind Zilisch of, in the hopes of inspiring him to do the same.

Busch’s own debut wasn’t a total disaster. He had managed to qualify 27th, outranking some seasoned drivers in the process. His experience in seven Xfinity races and an ARCA win in Nashville in the previous year had given him a taste of the chaos inherent in Cup racing, and he was not alone in experiencing a challenging Cup debut. Other notable drivers, including Chase Elliott, Jimmie Johnson, and Brad Keselowski, had similar experiences but went on to win championships.

Reflecting on the incident involving Zilisch and Suarez, the latter explained it as a result of low air pressure in the tires, which led to his car spinning out. Meanwhile, Busch displayed an impressive performance at the track, reinforcing his status as a top competitor. NASCAR veteran Kyle Petty commended Busch’s strong mindset, emphasizing his relentless pursuit of victory rather than just qualifying for the playoffs.

Despite missing out on a win due to worn-out tires, Busch remained positive, expressing his determination on social media, “Led the most laps, and had the best car all day. If we keep doing what we’re doing, it won’t be long.” His performance at COTA, despite a 60-race winless streak, has kept fans and pundits alike on tenterhooks, eager to see if his drive will translate into a win at the forthcoming race at Phoenix on March 9.

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