In a startling revelation, Connor Zilisch, an 18-year-old rising star in the NASCAR universe, has shared his aspiration to become the youngest Cup Series champion. The ambitious young racer, who has already made a memorable debut in the Xfinity Series, has not only set his sights on future victories but has also opened up about his retirement plans, astonishingly drawing a parallel to Carl Edwards’ unexpected exit from the sport in 2017.
Zilisch, who first rose to fame at the Glen, one of the most challenging tracks in the Xfinity Series, has already started contemplating his departure from NASCAR. Despite his tender age and his career being in its nascent stages, the young prodigy has expressed his admiration for the grand farewell tour of Kevin Harvick. The flamboyant farewell, complete with special paint on the walls of tracks, and the ceremonial gifting of 36 different steering wheels, left a lasting impression on Zilisch.
However, in a surprising twist, the young racer divulged his retirement plans to Jeff Gluck of The Athletic. Zilisch shared his dream of making a humble, yet heroic exit from the sport, akin to NASCAR legends like Jimmie Johnson and Richard Petty. Yet, he also expressed his desire to emulate the abrupt departure of Carl Edwards, a move that shook the NASCAR community in 2017.
Edwards’ surprise retirement announcement came at a time when he was at the peak of his career, having battled Jimmie Johnson for the 2016 title. Some speculate that his decision might have been influenced by the heart-breaking 2016 title race and his crash with Joey Logano. While Zilisch wishes to mirror Edwards’ quiet retirement, he has no intention of leaving the sport without a title to his name.
Zilisch’s lofty ambitions reflect his deep-seated devotion to the sport, mirroring the dedication of NASCAR icons like Jimmie Johnson and Richard Petty. Both Johnson and Petty have left indelible marks in NASCAR history, with Johnson’s consecutive Cup Series wins and Petty’s record of over 200 race victories and seven titles.
Dale Earnhardt Jr., Zilisch’s mentor and a stalwart of the sport, recently lauded the young racer’s exceptional talent on the Dale Junior Download podcast show. Earnhardt Jr. particularly highlighted Zilisch’s prowess on road courses and his extraordinary lap times at Watkins Glen, branding them as “generational.”
While Zilisch is fueled by his aspirations, what sets him apart is his quiet humility. Despite his unconventional journey to NASCAR, which started on road courses rather than traditional short tracks or dirt ovals, Zilisch has managed to find a balance between his self-awareness and championship dreams. He has expressed his desire to carve a niche for himself in the sport, win championships, and leave a lasting legacy, without making a big fuss about his departure.
As Zilisch prepares for his Cup Series debut, he acknowledges the unique challenges of this category and understands that beating the competition at this level requires a distinct strategy. His dreams of joining the ranks of NASCAR legends are within his reach, and he is ready to tackle the competition head-on. The young racer, who once thought NASCAR was a distant dream, is now poised to make his mark in the sport.