Connor Zilisch gets high praise from Kyle Larson at COTA: 'Super mature and extremely good'

Yesterday in NASCAR Truck Series qualifying, Connor Zilisch not only won the pole in his debut, but he set a track record in the process. Kyle Larson not only expected it, he’s disappointed the 17-year-old driver didn’t go faster.

Since signing with Trackhouse Racing as a development driver, Connor Zilisch has been in the Chevy program. There he has worked out with a lot of other drivers. Of course, he’s close with the Trackhouse group, as well as Spire Motorsports, who he is driving for in the Truck Series.

Among those NASCAR drivers working with Zilisch is Kyle Larson. The 2021 Cup Series champion knows a thing or two about talent. For the last few years, Zilisch has been on his radar, and he knows just how good he is behind the wheel. Any wheel, for that matter.

“I don’t know, he’s 18 I guess or whatever, but super mature and extremely good,” Larson said in his media availability after winning the Xfinity Series pole. “I’m disappointed he was only three-quarters of a second faster than the field and not more than that because I figured he would be. But I texted him earlier this week and I was like, ‘Man, you should smash the field this weekend.’ So, it’ll be more of the same tomorrow [in the race] as long as nobody runs through him.”

For those who wonder whether truck pole-sitter Connor Zilisch is for real, I present this from Kyle Larson: "It'll be more of the same tomorrow as long as nobody runs through him." @NASCARONFOX pic.twitter.com/wgMcT2gTaQ

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) March 23, 2024

Connor Zilisch has already won the 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring in the LMP2 category this season. He races in the Mazda MX-5 Cup, Trans-Am Series, and has starts lined up on road courses and ovals for the Truck and Xfinity Series. While he is still a kid, this kid is a professional racecar driver and he is not afraid to drive anything.

Connor Zilisch rips a track record during qulaifying

After a 20-minute practice session, 15-minute round one qualifying session, and 10-minute final qualifying round, Zilisch set a track record. His 2:11.98 lap is the fastest lap ever for the Truck Series at COTA.

When a driver like Kyle Larson expects you to “smash” the field, you’re talented. Today in the Truck Series race, Zilisch is going to lead the field to green, beginning his NASCAR career. Not only did he outpace the regulars in this series, he beat out Ross Chastain, too.

In motorsports, young drivers come and go. There are talented racers all over the place, and they don’t all work out in the end. Right now, Connor Zilisch feels like a different breed of racer. Yes, we need to see him race on ovals. And, yes, he will struggle to adjust at first.

Right now with Trackhouse support and a detailed development schedule, Zilisch has the motorsports world in front of him. This is a talent that could have chosen any pipeline to be in, F1, IndyCar, IMSA, WEC – and he has picked NASCAR. Appreciate the ride, folks.