The 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) left Christian Eckes, former Truck Series sensation, with a bitter taste of missed opportunity and self-admonishment. Despite finishing in a respectable fifth place, Eckes was left ruminating over a late-race incident involving rising stars Connor Zilisch and William Sawalich, which marred what could have been a career-defining moment for him.
Meanwhile, the 18-year-old prodigy, Zilisch, put on a stellar performance, further cementing his reputation as the future of NASCAR. Despite being involved in the late-race incident, his control and execution on the track left even his competitors in awe. This wasn’t just another race for Zilisch; it was a battlefield where he was fighting for glory.
The contrast in the performance of the two drivers couldn’t be starker. Eckes, driving the No. 16 Chevrolet Camaro for Kaulig Racing, admitted to making several poor decisions that cost him the race. He went into the weekend on a high, having revived his career in the Truck Series with McAnally-Hilgemann Racing. However, his optimism turned to regret as he reflected on the mistakes he made at COTA. “I made some dumb decisions for sure, I screwed up a little bit, or we might’ve had a shot. Real proud of the guys, we’ll move on to Phoenix,” Eckes confessed to Wendy Venturini, post-race.
In a stark contrast, Zilisch, driving the No. 88 Chevrolet for JR Motorsports, was already creating waves in the motorsport world with his seamless transition between racing categories. After a victorious Xfinity debut at Watkins Glen in 2024, he entered the 2025 season with high expectations. His performance at COTA, despite the last-minute mishap, reaffirmed his status as a rising star in NASCAR.
The trajectories of the two drivers also tell a tale of two different paths to NASCAR. Eckes, who was once considered a promising Toyota prospect in the Truck Series, had his career derailed before he fought his way back into the limelight. On the other hand, Zilisch, backed by prestigious organizations like Trackhouse Racing, has quickly shot up the ranks due to his versatility across racing categories.
As the 2025 Xfinity Series season progresses, both Eckes and Zilisch have crucial roles to play. While Eckes needs to refine his racecraft and capitalize on his team’s speed, Zilisch must continue to impress with his raw talent and adaptability.
NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. has been full of praise for Zilisch’s performance at COTA, labeling him as ‘a comet in the making’. Earnhardt Jr. believes that Zilisch has the potential to become a multi-time NASCAR Cup champion if he continues to hone his skills and maintain his focus. Despite a couple of minor errors during the race, Earnhardt Jr. was impressed with Zilisch’s raw speed and versatility, especially on road courses.
Zilisch’s rapid growth in the racing world can also be attributed to Earnhardt Jr.’s mentorship. Ever since Justin Marks of Trackhouse Racing moved him under the JR Motorsports umbrella, Zilisch has benefited from Earnhardt Jr.’s vast knowledge of NASCAR competition. The mutual respect and mentoring connection between Earnhardt Jr. and Zilisch were evident when the former made a personal phone call to the latter during his post-race media appearance.
Earnhardt Jr.’s endorsement of Zilisch is a significant validation of his talent, given that he has nurtured several new drivers, including Carson Kvapil, Josh Berry, and William Byron, through JR Motorsports’ development program. Zilisch seems to be on the right track and is viewed by the NASCAR community as a generational talent ready to make a big impact.
The 2025 Xfinity Series season is proving to be an exciting one. As the season moves to Phoenix, will Zilisch continue his meteoric rise or will Eckes recover from his self-acknowledged blunders? One thing is certain: the rivalry between these two rising stars is just beginning to heat up.