Connor Zilisch is set to go head-to-head with road course star Shane van Gisbergen twice this weekend. The two will both pilot cars in the Xfinity Series and the Cup Series at Watkins Glen.
It should make for some thrilling action, as the two have previously provided some scintillating stuff when going head-to-head. Zilisch beat van Gisbergen straight up at Sonoma after van Gisbergen used the door to beat Zilisch at Chicago.
NASCAR insider Kevin Harvick pointed out one key factor, though. Connor Zilisch will likely be working with a developmental crew in the Cup Series.
“Zilisch is racing,” Harvick said on the Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour podcast. “(But) he’s gotta make a pit stop. Gotta make pit stops to keep him in the game.”
Still, it should be some amazing racing for the fans. It’s become quite the treat when the two get together on road courses. And given the way van Gisbergen is driving it’s going to take a whole lot to beat him.
Van Gisbergen recently won back-to-back road races at Sonoma and Chicago. He also won Mexico City earlier in the year.
But don’t count out Connor Zilisch. He’s just removed from three consecutive Xfinity Series victories, and he hasn’t finished outside the top 5 at that level since Talladega.
“That’s the way it’s going to be for the next several years on the road courses,” Harvick said. “Those guys are, they’re … when everything’s right with their car, they’re just a notch better than everybody else.”
Connor Zilisch attempting weekend sweep
This weekend at Watkins Glen is going to be a lot of fun. Not only do we have Connor Zilisch, perhaps the most talented road course racer in the sport, racing three times, but he is going to have to earn it the hard way.
Everyone knows that he’s up against the best of the best in the Cup Series. Goes without saying. When you think of the top drivers going into the weekend for The Glen, SVG, Chris Buescher, and Michael McDowell likely pop up in your mind.
Well, get this. Zilisch will have to race against those three drivers multiple times. SVG will be in the Xfinity Series race again and is looking to take the edge in their friendly back-and-forth. Zilisch beat him straight up at Sonoma after SVG used the door to beat Zilisch at Chicago. But McDowell will also be in the Xfinity race. He’s in the No. 11 for Kaulig Racing.
Then you go to the Truck Series. Chris Buescher is making his series debut. Corey Heim has won the last three road course races in the series. Oh, and another talented teen, Brent Crews, is suiting up for his very own team in the 70 truck. Crews has won a Trans Am race at Watkins Glen in the past.
Connor Zilisch is going to face a gauntlet at Watkins Glen. It is going to be so exciting to watch him do what he does best.
On3’s Jonathan Howard also contributed to this report.
