NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Xfinity: NASCAR Xfinity Series Race at Dover Jul 19, 2025 Dover, Delaware, USA NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Connor Zilisch stands on pit road prior to the BetRivers 200 at Dover Motor Speedway. Dover Dover Motor Speedway Delaware USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xMatthewxO Harenx 20250719_cec_bm2_138
NASCAR is buzzing with excitement over the ascent of Connor Zilisch, driving the No. 88 for JR Motorsports in the Xfinity Series. Zilisch’s 2025 campaign has been marked by a remarkable nine victories in his last eight starts, including a stunning ninth win last weekend at Gateway in the Nu Way 200. This impressive run has placed him on the cusp of a single-season record, potentially surpassing Kyle Busch’s 13 wins from 2010, with seven races remaining. His dominance secures him as the regular-season champion, boasting a substantial points lead heading into the playoffs. However, Zilisch’s transition to the full-time Cup Series in 2026 with Trackhouse Racing, alongside drivers like Shane van Gisbergen, presents a considerably greater challenge.
He has already gained Cup Series experience, participating in three starts, most recently finishing eleventh at Atlanta. The shift from Xfinity cars to the Next Gen machine, coupled with the demands of oval racing, represents a significant test. Dale Earnhardt Jr., Zilisch’s former owner and crew chief, offers a candid assessment. During the latest episode of the Dale Jr. Download podcast, Jr. delivered a succinct six-word verdict: “first year to sort of be rough.”
Junior points to Trackhouse’s “hot and cold vibe” as a contributing factor. The team’s ability to produce exceptionally fast cars, exemplified by their dominant performance at the Coca-Cola 600, is often punctuated by periods of inconsistency. This fluctuating performance could result in Zilisch frequently operating in mid-pack as he adjusts to the Cup Series. Drawing from Zilisch’s limited Cup exposure, including a DNF at COTA due to a collision with teammate Daniel Suarez, Jr. emphasizes the need for patience, mirroring the struggles experienced by Noah Gragson after his Xfinity dominance, which yielded only three top-five finishes in two full Cup seasons despite 13 Xfinity wins.
The core challenge lies in the substantial gap between Xfinity and Cup machinery. Junior explains that Zilisch is “learning an entirely new car, the short sidewall, the way this car feels, the way the car reacts and steps out, and all of those things will be very unique and different than what he’s experiencing in the Xfinity car.” Unlike the more forgiving Xfinity cars with taller sidewalls, the Next Gen Cup car demands precise control amid dirty air and tighter margins for error. This could lead to rookie pitfall situations, such as Zilisch making contact with the wall on corner exits while trailing traffic.
He compares this situation to Chase Briscoe’s early experiences at Stewart-Haas Racing, where it took a full season to develop a “new notebook” regarding the car’s limits, avoiding crashes and ultimately securing his first win at Phoenix. However, Briscoe, transitioning teams in 2025, racked up DNFs early before establishing consistency. Zilisch, lacking oval experience at the Cup level beyond limited superspeedway appearances, could mirror this learning curve on tracks like Daytona and Atlanta.
Despite these challenges, Junior highlights Zilisch’s potential on road courses, where the young driver excels. “Wouldn’t be surprised if Connor battles for a win in a road course. I think that’s not stepping out of bounds,” he notes, referencing Shane van Gisbergen’s setup tweaks for the Next Gen car after his own year-one learning curve. SVG, who debuted in the Cup in 2023 and now understands what the car needs to be better, will hand Zilisch a dialed-in machine — potentially fast from the jump at tracks like Sonoma, where Zilisch has already won in Xfinity.
Nevertheless, Junior tempers optimism: “So, he’s got to build up this sort of data point or buildup… a new notebook internally about what the car’s capable of doing.” This echoes Briscoe’s story, emphasizing the importance of avoiding toe-link breaks and bad-air mishaps. For Zilisch, smart survival in the opener – potentially Daytona – could establish a solid foundation, but anticipate multiple 20th-place runs potentially leading to unplanned pit stops.
Dale Jr.’s insights extend beyond Zilisch to the veterans vying for championship glory in these playoffs.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. turned his podcast lens to the playoffs, focusing on Denny Hamlin as the driver best positioned for that long-sought championship. At 44, Hamlin has secured three Daytona 500 wins and 59 Cup victories, but the title has repeatedly eluded him at Phoenix. Junior praises Hamlin’s evolution over the past several seasons, noting that he has consistently been one of the favorites and contenders year after year. He stated that Hamlin’s recent victory at Gateway, his fifth of 2025, secured him a spot in the Round of 12 despite JGR’s crew shake-ups. Junior reiterated Hamlin’s advantage, asserting, “It really does feel like he’s in the best position he’s ever been in… Right now, I think we can say, maybe for the first time, that he’s the best car in the field at this point.”
Unlike aging peers, Hamlin’s relentless work ethic, honed under Joe Gibbs’ guidance, keeps him sharp against younger drivers. With the No. 11 Camry performing optimally, Junior views this as Hamlin’s window to finally hoist the trophy before Phoenix.