Brad Keselowski: The best young talent in NASCAR is Connor Zilisch

There is an emerging class of talented drivers in the United States. Brad Keselowski has taken notice of a few of the young racers. As a NASCAR Cup Series team owner, Keselowski is always looking toward the future.

RFK Racing eventually wants to expand to three teams in the Cup Series. For the time being, they have a lineup locked in with Brad Keselowski and Chris Buescher. If they were to expand in the next few years, is there a name on Keselowski’s shortlist?

Turns out, there is. The only problem is that he is under contract with Trackhouse Racing. It’s none other than Connor Zilisch.

“I think right now the best young talent in the garage or I don’t know if it’s fair to say in the garage, but that I see at least, that could actually drive a Cup car is probably Connor Zilisch,” Keselowski explained on Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour.

“You know when I keep my eyes open and I watch him race, he is the one that I see has the most potential. You’ve got underneath him there’s some good generational talent with [Brent] Crews. … Right now if you told me, ‘Brad, go put a young driver in, make him a star, and here’s all the money to do it,’ he’s [Zilisch] the guy.”

So far in 2024 alone, Zilisch has won the Daytona 24 Hours and Sebring 12 Hours. Then, he set the qualifying record on his way to the pole at COTA in the Truck Series. He has also won multiple ARCA races, an MX-5 Cup win, a CARS Tour win, and great showings everywhere he competes. Brad Keselowski is a believer.

Seen as a road course specialist just a few months ago, Zilisch has proven the doubters wrong. Multiple wins on ovals in ARCA and the CARS Tour have solidified Zilisch as the top young prospect in NASCAR.

Brad Keselowski is a smart owner and driver. In the last year, he has expressed his interest in developing drivers in the IMSA series. A driver like Connor Zilisch, who has been excellent in IMSA, fits that mold.

There are so many great drivers under the age of 20. Zilisch, William Sawalich, Brent Crews, Gio Ruggiero, Isabella Robusto, and others are showing out in multiple series. Who would be your pick to fill an open seat if you had the reigns of a Cup Series team?