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Dale Earnhardt Jr. emitió un aviso contundente a Connor Zilisch, el prometedor rookie de NASCAR, con un veredicto de seis palabras sobre su inminente temporada en la Serie Cup. Tras su impresionante campaña en la Serie Xfinity, donde dominó con nueve victorias, incluyendo la última en el Nu Way 200 en Gateway, Zilisch se enfrenta al desafío de dar el salto a la Serie Cup en 2026 con Trackhouse Racing, junto a pilotos como Shane van Gisbergen.

Dale Jr. emitió un veredicto de seis palabras: “first year to sort of be rough.”

El éxito de Zilisch en la Serie Xfinity es una cosa, pero su salto a la Serie Cup en 2026 con Trackhouse Racing, junto a pilotos como Shane van Gisbergen, presenta un nuevo desafío.

El rápido crecimiento de Zilisch en la Serie Xfinity ha generado expectativas, pero su transición a la Serie Cup presenta un cambio considerable. La “hot and cold vibe” de Trackhouse, marcada por periodos de dominancia y desapariciones intermitentes, podría dificultar la adaptación de Zilisch, que a menudo se encuentra en la parte media del pelotón mientras se ajusta a las nuevas condiciones.

Con una limitada exposición a la Serie Cup, incluyendo un DNF en COTA tras una colisión con su compañero Daniel Suarez, Junior enfatizó la necesidad de paciencia, similar a la experiencia de Noah Gragson, quien luchó tras su dominio en la Serie Xfinity, consiguiendo solo tres podios en dos temporadas completas.

El núcleo de la advertencia de Junior radica en la enorme diferencia entre la Serie Xfinity y la Serie Cup. “Él está aprendiendo un coche completamente nuevo, la estrechez de la carrocería, la forma en que este coche reacciona y salta, y todos estos aspectos serán muy diferentes a lo que está experimentando en la Serie Xfinity,” explicó Junior. A diferencia de los autos más indulgentes de la Serie Xfinity con paredes laterales más altas que permiten un manejo agresivo en las curvas, el Next Gen Cup car exige precisión en medio del aire sucio y márgenes de error más estrechos; como podría ocurrir si Zilisch golpea la pared en la salida de la curva, una trampa común para los pilotos novatos en los pits.

Comparó esta situación con el viaje de Chase Briscoe en Stewart-Haas Racing, donde tomó una temporada completa para “construir ese nuevo cuaderno” sobre los límites del coche, sin sufrir accidentes ni ganar su primer carrera en Phoenix. Sin embargo, Briscoe, al cambiar de equipo en 2025, sufrió DNF iniciales antes de encontrar consistencia con resultados en el Top 10, mientras que Zilisch, sin experiencia en óvalos a nivel de Serie Cup más allá de gustos de alta velocidad, podría reflejar esa misma lucha en pistas como Daytona y Atlanta.

A pesar de esto, Junior ve puntos fuertes, especialmente en circuitos de calle donde Zilisch prospera. “No sería sorprendente que Connor dispute una victoria en un circuito de calle. Creo que no está saliendo de los límites,” dijo, haciendo referencia a los ajustes de configuración de Shane van Gisbergen para el Next Gen car después de su propia curva de aprendizaje. SVG, quien debutó en la Serie Cup en 2023 y ahora comprende lo que el coche necesita para mejorar, entregará a Zilisch una máquina afinada —potencialmente rápida desde el principio en pistas como Sonoma, donde Zilisch ya ha ganado en la Serie Xfinity.

Sin embargo, Junior moderó el optimismo: “Así que él tiene que construir este tipo de punto de datos o acumulación… un nuevo cuaderno internamente sobre lo que es capaz de hacer el coche.” Esto refleja la historia de Briscoe, donde evitar las roturas de los enlaces y los problemas con el aire sucio transformó un mal comienzo en consistencia. Para Zilisch, la supervivencia inteligente en un debut como Daytona podría establecer un tono sólido, pero espera resultados de 20º lugar que se conviertan en paradas inesperadas en los pits.

A medida que Dale Jr. desglosa estas transiciones, sus perspectivas se extienden más allá de los novatos, llegando a los veteranos persiguiendo el gloria en estas finales.

Dale Jr. Ve a Denny Hamlin Posicionado para un Rompimiento de la Serie Cup

Dale Earnhardt Jr. expandió su podcast para incluir a Denny Hamlin, que se encuentra en una posición favorable para un campeonato de la Serie Cup. A los 44 años, Hamlin ha conseguido tres victorias en el Daytona 500 y 59 carreras de la Serie Cup, pero el título ha resultado esquivo en finales en Phoenix, como sus intentos en 2020 y 2021.

Junior elogió la evolución de Hamlin, diciendo: “Cada año decimos, ‘¿Guau, este es su mejor oportunidad?’ Lo que Hamlin ha podido hacer en las últimas temporadas para estar entre los favoritos, uno de los contendientes año tras año tras año. Y literalmente cada año parece que ni siquiera está mejorando”.

Este desarrollo culminó en la reciente victoria de Hamlin en Gateway, su quinta de 2025, que le aseguró un lugar en la fase de eliminación, a pesar de las reestructuraciones de la tripulación de Joe Gibbs Racing. Junior reforzó la ventaja de Hamlin, diciendo: “Realmente se siente como si estuviera en la mejor posición que ha tenido… Ahora podemos decir que, por primera vez, que él es el mejor coche en el campo en este momento”.

A diferencia de sus compañeros que se desvanecen con la edad, el trabajo duro de Hamlin, perfeccionado bajo la guía de Joe Gibbs, lo mantiene en forma frente a los jóvenes. Con el No. 11 Camry funcionando sin problemas, Junior ve esto como la ventana de Hamlin para finalmente levantar el trofeo antes de Phoenix.

Fuente: https://www.essentiallysports.com/nascar-news-dale-jr-warns-connor-zilisch-with-six-word-honest-verdict-on-his-rookie-cup-run/

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

Few seasons in the Xfinity Series have sparked as much buzz in the NASCAR garage as Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s young prodigy, Connor Zilisch’s 2025 campaign. Driving the No. 88 for JR Motorsports, the young talent has been on fire, notching his ninth win last weekend at Gateway in the Nu Way 200. That’s seven victories in his last eight starts, putting him on the cusp of Kyle Busch’s single-season record of 13 from 2010, with seven races still to go. His dominance has him locked in as the regular-season champion, carrying a hefty points lead into the playoffs. But Zilisch’s Xfinity success is one thing; his jump to the full-time Cup Series in 2026 with Trackhouse Racing, alongside the likes of Shane van Gisbergen, brings a whole new challenge.

He’s dipped his toe in Cup waters already this year, making three starts, including an 11th-place finish at Atlanta. But the full-time shift from Xfinity cars to the Next Gen machine, plus the brutal ovals, could test him like never before. So, how will the NASCAR Cup Series potentially shock Connor Zilisch? Let’s hear from none other than his owner and onetime crew chief, Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Dale Jr.’s candid outlook on Zilisch’s rookie challenges

On the latest episode of the Dale Jr. Download podcast, Dale Earnhardt Jr. didn’t hold back when sizing up Connor Zilisch’s impending rookie year in the Cup Series. Chatting with hosts about Zilisch’s blistering Xfinity form, Junior delivered a grounded six-word verdict: “first year to sort of be rough.”

Dale Earnhardt Jr. pointed out that Trackhouse’s “hot and cold vibe” plays a role, saying, “They run the 600 fastest car there by far. And then disappear for a while.” This inconsistency, seen in their strong Coca-Cola 600 showing contrasted with quieter weeks elsewhere, could leave Zilisch mid-pack often as he adjusts. Drawing from Connor Zilisch‘s limited Cup exposure, like his DNF at COTA after tangling with teammate Daniel Suarez, Junior emphasized the patience needed, much like how Noah Gragson struggled post-Xfinity dominance, managing just three top-fives in two full Cup seasons despite 13 Xfinity wins.

The core of Junior’s caution lies in the massive gap between Xfinity and Cup machinery. “He’s 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,” Junior explained. Unlike the more forgiving Xfinity cars with taller sidewalls that allow aggressive cornering, the Next Gen Cup car demands precision amid dirty air and tighter margins for error; think how Zilisch might slap the wall on corner exit trailing traffic, a common rookie pitfall.

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

Junior compared it to Chase Briscoe’s journey at Stewart-Haas Racing, where it took a whole first season to build that “new notebook” on the car’s limits without wrecking out and winning his first race at Phoenix. But still, Briscoe, jumping teams in 2025, racked up DNFs early before clicking with top-10 runs; Zilisch, with zero oval experience at the Cup level beyond brief superspeedway tastes, could mirror that grind on tracks like Daytona and Atlanta.

Still, Junior sees bright spots, especially on road courses where Zilisch thrives. “Wouldn’t be surprised if Connor battles for a win in a road course. I think that’s not stepping out of bounds,” he noted, crediting 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.

Yet Junior tempered 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, where avoiding toe-link breaks and bad-air mishaps turned a rough start into consistency. For Zilisch, smart survival in an opener like Daytona could set a solid tone, but expect some 20th-place runs turning into unplanned pit stops.

As Dale Jr. unpacks these transitions, his insights extend beyond rookies to the veterans chasing glory in these playoffs.

Dale Jr. sees Denny Hamlin poised for Cup breakthrough

Dale Earnhardt Jr. turned his podcast lens to the playoffs, zeroing in on Denny Hamlin as the driver best equipped for that long-sought championship. At 44, Hamlin has grabbed three Daytona 500s and 59 Cup wins, but the title has slipped away in finals at Phoenix time and again, like his 2020 title run in Phoenix, where he failed to lead a single lap and finished fourth, or 2021’s late-race fade at Martinsville when he was spun out by Alex Bowman.

Junior praised Hamlin’s evolution, stating, “Every year we say, ‘Man, this is his best shot.’ What Denny’s been able to do over the last handful of seasons to be one of the favorites, one of the contenders year after year after year. And literally every single year it seems like he’s even better.”

This build-up culminated in Hamlin’s recent Gateway win, his fifth of 2025, clinching a Round of 12 spot despite Joe Gibbs Racing‘s crew shake-ups. Junior doubled down on Hamlin’s edge, saying, “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 peers fading with age, Hamlin’s work ethic, honed under Joe Gibbs’ guidance, keeps him sharp against youngsters. With the No. 11 Camry humming, Junior views this as Hamlin’s window to finally hoist the trophy before Phoenix.

Fuente: https://www.essentiallysports.com/nascar-news-dale-jr-warns-connor-zilisch-with-six-word-honest-verdict-on-his-rookie-cup-run/

Dale Earnhardt Jr. advirtió a Connor Zilisch sobre los desafíos que enfrentará al ingresar a la Copa NASCAR, ofreciendo un veredicto de solo seis palabras: “el primer año será un poco difícil”. La predicción, brindada en el podcast “Dale Jr. Download”, se basa en la rápida ascensión de Zilisch en la Serie Xfinity y sus esperados problemas al pasar al nivel más alto de la serie.

Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s candid outlook on Zilisch’s rookie challenges stems from the young talent’s blazing Xfinity form. Driving the No. 88 for JR Motorsports, Zilisch has been on fire, notching his ninth win last weekend at Gateway in the Nu Way 200. That’s seven victories in his last eight starts, putting him on the cusp of Kyle Busch’s single-season record of 13 from 2010, with seven races still to go. His dominance has him locked in as the regular-season champion, carrying a hefty points lead into the playoffs.

Sin embargo, el éxito de Zilisch en Xfinity es una cosa; su salto al Campeonato de Copa en 2026 con Trackhouse Racing, junto con figuras como Shane van Gisbergen, presenta un desafío completamente nuevo.

El camino de Zilisch ha estado marcado por inconsistencias. Trackhouse tiene un “ritmo de altibajos”, como lo describe Earnhardt Jr., “conducen el coche 600 más rápido de todos, y luego desaparecen por un tiempo”. Esta inconsistencia, vista en sus sólidas actuaciones en el Coca-Cola 600, contrastada con semanas más tranquilas en otros lugares, podría dejar a Zilisch a menudo en la mitad del pelotón mientras se adapta.

El salto de Zilisch a la Copa implica una diferencia significativa en el equipamiento. Junior enfatiza que “está aprendiendo un coche completamente nuevo, con paredes laterales más cortas, la forma en que este coche se siente, la forma en que el coche reacciona y salta, y todos estos factores serán muy únicos y diferentes a lo que está experimentando en un coche Xfinity”. A diferencia de los coches Xfinity más indulgentes con paredes laterales más altas que permiten una conducción agresiva en las curvas, el Next Gen Cup car exige precisión en el aire sucio y márgenes de error más ajustados. Es probable que Zilisch golpee la pared en la salida de la curva, una falibilidad común para los pilotos novatos.

Earnhardt Jr. compara esto con el viaje de Chase Briscoe en Stewart-Haas Racing, donde tomó una temporada completa para construir ese “nuevo cuaderno” de los límites del coche, sin causar accidentes y ganando su primera carrera en Phoenix. Sin embargo, Briscoe, que cambió de equipos en 2025, acumuló problemas al principio antes de encontrar un ritmo con resultados sólidos, Zilisch, con cero experiencia en óvalos a nivel de Copa más allá de un sabor agridulce en las carreras de velocidad máxima, podría reflejar ese mismo proceso en pistas como Daytona y Atlanta.

A pesar de los desafíos, Junior ve oportunidades, especialmente en circuitos de carretera donde Zilisch prospera. “No sería sorprendente que Connor compitiera por una victoria en un circuito de carretera. Creo que no es un paso fuera de los límites”, comentó. Esto reconoce los ajustes de configuración de Shane van Gisbergen para el Next Gen car después de su propia curva de aprendizaje al principio de su año en la Copa. SVG, que hizo su debut en la Copa en 2023 y ahora entiende lo que necesita para mejorar el coche, transmitirá estos ajustes a Zilisch, potencialmente haciendo que el coche sea rápido desde el principio en pistas como Sonoma, donde Zilisch ya ha ganado en Xfinity.

Sin embargo, Earnhardt Jr. atenuó el optimismo: “Por lo tanto, él debe construir un punto de datos o un “nuevo cuaderno” internamente sobre lo que es capaz de hacer el coche”. Esto refleja la historia de Briscoe, donde evitar las roturas de los enlaces y los problemas con el aire sucio condujo a la consistencia en lugar de problemas. Para Zilisch, sobrevivir inteligentemente en un debut como Daytona podría establecer un tono sólido, pero espera ver resultados de 20º lugar que se conviertan en paradas en el pit, que son comunes para los novatos.

Además de las predicciones para los novatos, Earnhardt Jr. también puso su mirada en los veteranos que compiten por el campeonato.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. amplió su análisis para los playoffs, centrándose en Denny Hamlin como el piloto mejor equipado para ese título tan buscado. Con 44 años, Hamlin ha obtenido tres victorias en el Gran Premio de Daytona y 59 victorias en la Copa, pero el título ha estado esquivo en finales en Phoenix. Como lo fue su intento de título en 2020 en Phoenix, donde no lideró ni un solo lap y terminó cuarto, o su intento de 2021 en Martinsville cuando fue derribado por Alex Bowman,

Junior elogió la evolución de Hamlin, señalando: “Cada año decimos: ‘¡El hombre, esto es su mejor oportunidad!” Lo que Hamlin ha sido capaz de hacer en las últimas temporadas para ser uno de los favoritos, uno de los contendientes año tras año tras año. Y literalmente cada año parece que está aún mejor”.

Esto culminó en la reciente victoria de Hamlin en Gateway, su quinta de 2025, que le aseguró un lugar en el Top 12 a pesar de los cambios de tripulación en Joe Gibbs Racing. Earnhardt Jr. reiteró el enfoque de Hamlin, diciendo: “Realmente siente como si estuviera en la mejor posición que ha tenido… Ahora, podemos decir que, por primera vez, que es el mejor coche del grupo en este momento”.

A diferencia de sus pares que se desvanecen con la edad, el trabajo duro de Hamlin, que ha sido guiado por Joe Gibbs, lo mantiene al día con los jóvenes. Con el No. 11 Camry funcionando, Junior ve esto como la ventana de Hamlin para finalmente alzar el trofeo antes de Phoenix.

Fuente: https://www.essentiallysports.com/nascar-news-dale-jr-warns-connor-zilisch-with-six-word-honest-verdict-on-his-rookie-cup-run/

Dale Earnhardt Jr. advierte al joven Connor Zilisch sobre las dificultades que encontrará al pasar a la Copa en 2026, ofreciendo una perspectiva realista sobre el desafío que enfrentará. En una conversación sobre el ascenso de Zilisch, el legendario piloto de NASCAR compartió su predicción de que su primera temporada en la Copa será “más o menos difícil”.

Zilisch, un talento prometedor que ha deslumbrado en la Xfinity Series, está pilotando el No. 88 para JR Motorsports y ha tenido una temporada incendiaria en 2025, incluyendo su noveno triunfo el fin de semana pasado en Gateway en el Nu Way 200. Con siete victorias en sus últimos ocho eventos, está a un paso del récord de una temporada de Kyle Busch de 13, establecido en 2010, con siete carreras restantes por disputarse. Su dominio lo ha colocado como el campeón regular de la temporada, con una considerable ventaja de puntos que lo lleva a los playoffs. Sin embargo, su éxito en la Xfinity es algo, su salto al Campeonato de Copa en 2026 con Trackhouse Racing, junto con pilotos como Shane van Gisbergen, presenta un nuevo desafío.

El veterano piloto de NASCAR, Dale Earnhardt Jr., dio una visión honesta del próximo año de Zilisch en la Copa. En el último episodio del podcast Dale Jr. Download, Earnhardt Jr. no se guardó nada al evaluar los desafíos que enfrentará Zilisch en su primera temporada en la Copa. Hablando con los anfitriones sobre el desempeño impresionante de Zilisch en la Xfinity, Junior ofreció una evaluación de seis palabras: “más o menos será difícil”.

Earnhardt Jr. señaló que la “vibración y ritmo errático” de Trackhouse juega un papel, afirmando: “El coche es el más rápido del 600, lejos de cualquier otro. Y luego desaparece por un tiempo”. Esta inconsistencia, vista en sus fuertes presentaciones en el Coca-Cola 600 contrastada con semanas más tranquilas, podría dejar a Zilisch en la mitad de la tabla con frecuencia mientras se adapta. Basándose en la limitada exposición de Zilisch a la Copa, como su DNF en COTA después de entrar en conflicto con su compañero de equipo Daniel Suarez, Earnhardt Jr. enfatizó la paciencia necesaria, al igual que Noah Gragson luchó después de su dominio en la Xfinity, logrando solo tres quintos en dos temporadas completas de la Copa a pesar de 13 victorias en la Xfinity.

El núcleo de la cautela de Junior reside en la enorme brecha entre la Xfinity y la maquinaria de la Copa. “Está aprendiendo un coche completamente nuevo, con paredes laterales más cortas, la forma en que se siente el coche, la forma en que el coche reacciona y sale, y todos estos aspectos serán muy diferentes a lo que está experimentando en el coche de Xfinity”, explicó Earnhardt Jr. A diferencia de los coches de Xfinity más indulgentes con paredes laterales más altas que permiten un manejo agresivo en las curvas, el coche Next Gen de la Copa exige precisión en el aire sucio y márgenes de error más ajustados; tal como podría ocurrir que Zilisch golpee la pared en la salida de la curva mientras sigue el tráfico, una común falta de experiencia para los novatos.

Esto se compara con el viaje de Chase Briscoe en Stewart-Haas Racing, donde le tomó una temporada entera para construir ese “nuevo cuaderno” sobre los límites del coche sin estrellarse y ganar su primera carrera en Phoenix. Pero aun así, Briscoe, que cambió de equipos en 2025, acumuló DNF al principio antes de encontrar el ritmo con carreras en los lugares primeros; Zilisch, sin experiencia en óvalos en el nivel de la Copa más allá de pruebas de velocidad máxima, podría reflejar ese cianismo en pistas como Daytona y Atlanta.

Sin embargo, Junior ve puntos brillantes, especialmente en circuitos cerrados donde Zilisch sobresale. “No me sorprendería que Connor compita por ganar en un circuito cerrado. Creo que no está saliendo de los límites”, comentó. Esto reconoce el ajuste de configuración de Shane van Gisbergen para el coche Next Gen después de su propia curva de aprendizaje de un año, SVG, que debutó en la Copa en 2023 y ahora entiende lo que necesita el coche para ser mejor, impartirá un vehículo afinado a Zilisch – potencialmente rápido desde el principio en pistas como Sonoma, donde Zilisch ya ha ganado en la Xfinity.

Aun así, Earnhardt Jr. matizó el optimismo: “Así que debe construir ese tipo de punto de datos o construir… un nuevo cuaderno internamente sobre lo que es capaz de hacer el coche”. Esto refleja la historia de Briscoe, donde evitar las roturas de la articulación y los problemas con el aire sucio convirtió un comienzo difícil en consistencia. Para Zilisch, la supervivencia inteligente en un abridor como Daytona podría establecer un tono sólido, pero esperen carreras en el puesto 20 transformándose en paradas de parada no planificadas.

Mientras Dale Earnhardt Jr. desentraña estas transiciones, sus ideas van más allá de los novatos a los veteranos que persiguen la gloria en estos playoffs.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. también se centró en los playoffs, poniendo el enfoque en Denny Hamlin como el conductor mejor equipado para ese título tan buscado. Con 44 años, Hamlin ha logrado tres victorias en el Gran Premio de Daytona y 59 victorias en la Copa, pero el título ha huido una vez más en Phoenix, como en 2020 y 2021. Junior elogió la evolución de Hamlin, afirmando: “Cada año decimos: ‘¡Mira, esta es su mejor oportunidad!”. Lo que Hamlin ha logrado en las últimas décadas para ser uno de los favoritos, uno de los contendientes año tras año tras año. Y literalmente cada año parece que incluso está mejor”.

Esto culminó en la reciente victoria de Hamlin en Gateway, su quinta de 2025, que le aseguró un lugar en el grupo de 12, a pesar de los cambios en el equipo de Joe Gibbs Racing. Junior redobló la apuesta por Hamlin, afirmando: “Realmente se siente como si estuviera en la mejor posición en la que ha estado nunca… Ahora, podemos decir que, por primera vez, que es el mejor coche en el campo en este momento”.

A diferencia de sus compañeros que se debilitan con la edad, la ética de trabajo de Hamlin, forjada bajo la guía de Joe Gibbs, lo mantiene al día contra los jóvenes. Con el No. 11 Camry funcionando, Junior ve esto como la ventana de Hamlin para finalmente levantar el trofeo antes de Phoenix.

Fuente: https://www.essentiallysports.com/nascar-news-dale-jr-warns-connor-zilisch-with-six-word-honest-verdict-on-his-rookie-cup-run/

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

Few seasons in the Xfinity Series have sparked as much buzz in the NASCAR garage as Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s young prodigy, Connor Zilisch’s 2025 campaign. Driving the No. 88 for JR Motorsports, the young talent has been on fire, notching his ninth win last weekend at Gateway in the Nu Way 200. That’s seven victories in his last eight starts, putting him on the cusp of Kyle Busch’s single-season record of 13 from 2010, with seven races still to go. His dominance has him locked in as the regular-season champion, carrying a hefty points lead into the playoffs. But Zilisch’s Xfinity success is one thing; his jump to the full-time Cup Series in 2026 with Trackhouse Racing, alongside the likes of Shane van Gisbergen, brings a whole new challenge.

He’s dipped his toe in Cup waters already this year, making three starts, including an 11th-place finish at Atlanta. But the full-time shift from Xfinity cars to the Next Gen machine, plus the brutal ovals, could test him like never before. So, how will the NASCAR Cup Series potentially shock Connor Zilisch? Let’s hear from none other than his owner and onetime crew chief, Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Dale Jr.’s candid outlook on Zilisch’s rookie challenges

On the latest episode of the Dale Jr. Download podcast, Dale Earnhardt Jr. didn’t hold back when sizing up Connor Zilisch’s impending rookie year in the Cup Series. Chatting with hosts about Zilisch’s blistering Xfinity form, Junior delivered a grounded six-word verdict: “first year to sort of be rough.”

Dale Earnhardt Jr. pointed out that Trackhouse’s “hot and cold vibe” plays a role, saying, “They run the 600 fastest car there by far. And then disappear for a while.” This inconsistency, seen in their strong Coca-Cola 600 showing contrasted with quieter weeks elsewhere, could leave Zilisch mid-pack often as he adjusts. Drawing from Connor Zilisch‘s limited Cup exposure, like his DNF at COTA after tangling with teammate Daniel Suarez, Junior emphasized the patience needed, much like how Noah Gragson struggled post-Xfinity dominance, managing just three top-fives in two full Cup seasons despite 13 Xfinity wins.

The core of Junior’s caution lies in the massive gap between Xfinity and Cup machinery. “He’s 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,” Junior explained. Unlike the more forgiving Xfinity cars with taller sidewalls that allow aggressive cornering, the Next Gen Cup car demands precision amid dirty air and tighter margins for error; think how Zilisch might slap the wall on corner exit trailing traffic, a common rookie pitfall.

Comparing it to Chase Briscoe’s journey at Stewart-Haas Racing, where it took a whole first season to build that “new notebook” on the car’s limits without wrecking out and winning his first race at Phoenix. But still, Briscoe, jumping teams in 2025, racked up DNFs early before clicking with top-10 runs; Zilisch, with zero oval experience at the Cup level beyond brief superspeedway tastes, could mirror that grind on tracks like Daytona and Atlanta.

Still, Junior sees bright spots, especially on road courses where Zilisch thrives. “Wouldn’t be surprised if Connor battles for a win in a road course. I think that’s not stepping out of bounds,” he noted, crediting 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.

Yet Junior tempered 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, where avoiding toe-link breaks and bad-air mishaps turned a rough start into consistency. For Zilisch, smart survival in an opener like Daytona could set a solid tone, but expect some 20th-place runs turning into unplanned pit stops.

As Dale Jr. unpacks these transitions, his insights extend beyond rookies to the veterans chasing glory in these playoffs.

Dale Jr. sees Denny Hamlin poised for Cup breakthrough

Dale Earnhardt Jr. turned his podcast lens to the playoffs, zeroing in on Denny Hamlin as the driver best equipped for that long-sought championship. At 44, Hamlin has grabbed three Daytona 500s and 59 Cup wins, but the title has slipped away in finals at Phoenix time and again, like his 2020 title run in Phoenix, where he failed to lead a single lap and finished fourth, or 2021’s late-race fade at Martinsville when he was spun out by Alex Bowman.

Junior praised Hamlin’s evolution, stating, “Every year we say, ‘Man, this is his best shot.’ What Denny’s been able to do over the last handful of seasons to be one of the favorites, one of the contenders year after year after year. And literally every single year it seems like he’s even better.”

This build-up culminated in Hamlin’s recent Gateway win, his fifth of 2025, clinching a Round of 12 spot despite Joe Gibbs Racing’s crew shake-ups. Junior doubled down on Hamlin’s edge, saying, “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 peers fading with age, Hamlin’s work ethic, honed under Joe Gibbs’ guidance, keeps him sharp against youngsters. With the No. 11 Camry humming, Junior views this as Hamlin’s window to finally hoist the trophy before Phoenix.

Fuente: https://www.essentiallysports.com/nascar-news-dale-jr-warns-connor-zilisch-with-six-word-honest-verdict-on-his-rookie-cup-run/

Dale Earnhardt Jr. ha expresado una evaluación realista sobre los desafíos que enfrentará Connor Zilisch al ingresar a la Serie Cup en 2026, tras su éxito en la Serie Xfinity. Tras registrar nueve victorias, incluyendo la última en el Nu Way 200 en Gateway, Zilisch está a punto de coronarse como el campeón de la temporada regular, manteniendo una importante ventaja en los puntos para los playoffs. Sin embargo, el salto de la Serie Xfinity a la Serie Cup presenta un reto completamente diferente.

Tras sus tres primeras incursiones en la Serie Cup, incluyendo un undécimo puesto en Atlanta, el joven talento se enfrentará a un nuevo desafío tras su transición desde la Serie Xfinity. La diferencia entre los autos de la Serie Xfinity y la Serie Cup, en particular las paredes laterales más cortas y el modo en que el auto reacciona, representarán un reto significativo para Zilisch.

En el reciente episodio del podcast “Dale Jr. Download”, Earnhardt Jr. ofreció una evaluación de seis palabras sobre los desafíos que enfrentará Zilisch: “primero año para ser un poco brusco”.

Earnhardt Jr. señaló que la “atmósfera volátil” de Trackhouse Racing juega un papel, diciendo: “Este auto es el más rápido en las 600 millas, y luego desaparece por un tiempo”. Esta inconsistencia podría dejar a Zilisch en la mitad de la tabla mientras se adapta.

Con base en la experiencia limitada de Zilisch en la Serie Cup, como su DNF en COTA después de chocar con su compañero de equipo Daniel Suárez, Earnhardt Jr. enfatizó la necesidad de paciencia, al igual que Noah Gragson luchó después de su dominio en la Serie Xfinity, solo logrando tres quintos lugares en dos temporadas completas de la Serie Cup, a pesar de 13 victorias en la Serie Xfinity.

El núcleo de la advertencia de Earnhardt Jr. radica en la gran diferencia entre la Serie Xfinity y la Serie Cup. “Está aprendiendo un auto completamente nuevo, las paredes laterales más cortas, la forma en que este auto se siente, la forma en que el auto reacciona y da pasos, y todos esos aspectos serán muy diferentes a lo que está experimentando en la Serie Xfinity”, explicó Earnhardt Jr. A diferencia de los autos de la Serie Xfinity con paredes laterales más altas que permiten un manejo agresivo en las curvas, el auto Next Gen de la Serie Cup exige precisión en medio del humo y los márgenes de error más ajustados; tal como podría sufrir Zilisch al salir de una curva siguiendo el tráfico, una trampa común para los pilotos novatos.

Comparó la situación con el viaje de Chase Briscoe en Stewart-Haas Racing, donde tomó una temporada completa para construir “el nuevo cuaderno” sobre los límites del auto sin estrellarse y ganar su primera carrera en Phoenix. Sin embargo, Briscoe, al cambiar de equipos en 2025, acumuló DNF al principio antes de afinar con puestos entre los diez primeros. Zilisch, sin experiencia en circuitos ovales a nivel de la Serie Cup más allá de pruebas en autopistas supervelocidad, podría replicar esa dura época en pistas como Daytona y Atlanta.

Aun así, Earnhardt Jr. ve puntos brillantes, especialmente en circuitos cortos donde Zilisch destaca. “No me sorprendería que Connor compita por ganar en un circuito corto. Creo que no está saliendo de los límites”. Reconoció los ajustes de configuración que Shane van Gisbergen hizo para el auto Next Gen después de su propia curva de aprendizaje en el primer año, y SVG, que debutó en la Serie Cup en 2023 y ahora comprende lo que necesita el auto para ser mejor, le entregará a Zilisch una máquina afinada, posiblemente rápida desde el principio en pistas como Sonoma, donde Zilisch ya ha ganado en la Serie Xfinity.

Sin embargo, Earnhardt Jr. moderó el optimismo: “Así que tiene que construir este tipo de punto de datos o construcción… un nuevo cuaderno internamente sobre lo que es capaz de hacer el auto”. Esto eco la historia de Briscoe, donde evitar las roturas del enlace y los problemas en la baja velocidad se convirtieron en consistencia. Para Zilisch, una supervivencia inteligente en un apertura como Daytona podría establecer un tono sólido, pero espere puestos de 20to lugar convirtiéndose en paradas inesperadas.

Como Dale Jr. desentraña estas transiciones, sus conocimientos se extienden más allá de los novatos a los veteranos persiguiendo la gloria en estos playoffs.

Dale Jr. ve a Denny Hamlin preparado para su ruptura de la Serie Cup

Dale Earnhardt Jr. convirtió su podcast en un enfoque hacia los playoffs, centrándose en Denny Hamlin como el conductor mejor preparado para ese título largo buscado. A los 44 años, Hamlin ha atrapado tres Series 500 y 59 victorias en la Serie Cup, pero el título ha escapado en finales en Phoenix repetidamente, como en sus campañas de título de 2020 y 2021 en Phoenix, donde no lideró un solo lap y terminó cuarto, o el 2021 del desgaste tardío en Martinsville cuando fue empujado fuera por Alex Bowman.

Earnhardt Jr. elogió la evolución de Hamlin, afirmando: “Cada año decimos: ‘¿Guau, este es su mejor oportunidad?’ Lo que Hamlin ha logrado en las últimas temporadas para estar entre los favoritos, uno de los contendientes año tras año tras año. Y literalmente cada año parece que está aún mejor”.

Esto culminó en la reciente victoria de Hamlin en Gateway, su quinta de 2025, asegurando un lugar en el Grupo de 12 a pesar de los cambios de tripulación en Joe Gibbs Racing. Earnhardt Jr. reforzó el borde de Hamlin, diciendo: “Realmente se siente que está en la mejor posición en la que ha estado alguna vez… Ahora podemos decir que, por primera vez, que él es el mejor auto en el campo en este momento”.

A diferencia de los compañeros que se desvanecen con la edad, la ética de trabajo de Hamlin, perfeccionada bajo la guía de Joe Gibbs, lo mantiene afilado contra los jóvenes. Con el No. 11 Camry funcionando, Earnhardt Jr. ve esto como la ventana de Hamlin para finalmente alzar el trofeo antes de Phoenix.

Fuente: https://www.essentiallysports.com/nascar-news-dale-jr-warns-connor-zilisch-with-six-word-honest-verdict-on-his-rookie-cup-run/

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

Few seasons in the Xfinity Series have sparked as much buzz in the NASCAR garage as Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s young prodigy, Connor Zilisch’s 2025 campaign. Driving the No. 88 for JR Motorsports, the young talent has been on fire, notching his ninth win last weekend at Gateway in the Nu Way 200. That’s seven victories in his last eight starts, putting him on the cusp of Kyle Busch’s single-season record of 13 from 2010, with seven races still to go. His dominance has him locked in as the regular-season champion, carrying a hefty points lead into the playoffs. But Zilisch’s Xfinity success is one thing; his jump to the full-time Cup Series in 2026 with Trackhouse Racing, alongside the likes of Shane van Gisbergen, brings a whole new challenge.

He’s dipped his toe in Cup waters already this year, making three starts, including an 11th-place finish at Atlanta. But the full-time shift from Xfinity cars to the Next Gen machine, plus the brutal ovals, could test him like never before. So, how will the NASCAR Cup Series potentially shock Connor Zilisch? Let’s hear from none other than his owner and onetime crew chief, Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Dale Jr.’s candid outlook on Zilisch’s rookie challenges

On the latest episode of the Dale Jr. Download podcast, Dale Earnhardt Jr. didn’t hold back when sizing up Connor Zilisch’s impending rookie year in the Cup Series. Chatting with hosts about Zilisch’s blistering Xfinity form, Junior delivered a grounded six-word verdict. “First year to sort of be rough.”

Dale Earnhardt Jr. pointed out that Trackhouse’s “hot and cold vibe” plays a role, saying, “They run the 600 fastest car there by far. And then disappear for a while.” This inconsistency, seen in their strong Coca-Cola 600 showing contrasted with quieter weeks elsewhere, could leave Zilisch mid-pack often as he adjusts. Drawing from Connor Zilisch‘s limited Cup exposure, like his DNF at COTA after tangling with teammate Daniel Suarez, Junior emphasized the patience needed, much like how Noah Gragson struggled post-Xfinity dominance, managing just three top-fives in two full Cup seasons despite 13 Xfinity wins.

The core of Junior’s caution lies in the massive gap between Xfinity and Cup machinery. “He’s 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,” Junior explained. Unlike the more forgiving Xfinity cars with taller sidewalls that allow aggressive cornering, the Next Gen Cup car demands precision amid dirty air and tighter margins for error; think how Zilisch might slap the wall on corner exit trailing traffic, a common rookie pitfall.

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

Junior compared it to Chase Briscoe’s journey at Stewart-Haas Racing, where it took a whole first season to build that “new notebook” on the car’s limits without wrecking out and winning his first race at Phoenix. But still, Briscoe, jumping teams in 2025, racked up DNFs early before clicking with top-10 runs; Zilisch, with zero oval experience at the Cup level beyond brief superspeedway tastes, could mirror that grind on tracks like Daytona and Atlanta.

Still, Junior sees bright spots, especially on road courses where Zilisch thrives. “Wouldn’t be surprised if Connor battles for a win in a road course. I think that’s not stepping out of bounds,” he noted, crediting 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.

Yet Junior tempered 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, where avoiding toe-link breaks and bad-air mishaps turned a rough start into consistency. For Zilisch, smart survival in an opener like Daytona could set a solid tone, but expect some 20th-place runs turning into unplanned pit stops.

As Dale Jr. unpacks these transitions, his insights extend beyond rookies to the veterans chasing glory in these playoffs.

Dale Jr. sees Denny Hamlin poised for Cup breakthrough

Dale Earnhardt Jr. turned his podcast lens to the playoffs, zeroing in on Denny Hamlin as the driver best equipped for that long-sought championship. At 44, Hamlin has grabbed three Daytona 500s and 59 Cup wins, but the title has slipped away in finals at Phoenix time and again, like his 2020 title run in Phoenix, where he failed to lead a single lap and finished fourth, or 2021’s late-race fade at Martinsville when he was spun out by Alex Bowman.

Junior praised Hamlin’s evolution, stating, “Every year we say, ‘Man, this is his best shot.’ What Denny’s been able to do over the last handful of seasons to be one of the favorites, one of the contenders year after year after year. And literally every single year it seems like he’s even better.”

This build-up culminated in Hamlin’s recent Gateway win, his fifth of 2025, clinching a Round of 12 spot despite Joe Gibbs Racing‘s crew shake-ups. Junior doubled down on Hamlin’s edge, saying, “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 peers fading with age, Hamlin’s work ethic, honed under Joe Gibbs’ guidance, keeps him sharp against youngsters. With the No. 11 Camry humming, Junior views this as Hamlin’s window to finally hoist the trophy before Phoenix.

Fuente: https://www.essentiallysports.com/nascar-news-dale-jr-warns-connor-zilisch-with-six-word-honest-verdict-on-his-rookie-cup-run/

Few seasons in the Xfinity Series have sparked as much buzz in the NASCAR garage as Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s young prodigy, Connor Zilisch’s 2025 campaign. Driving the No. 88 for JR Motorsports, the young talent has been on fire, notching his ninth win last weekend at Gateway in the Nu Way 200. That’s seven victories in his last eight starts, putting him on the cusp of Kyle Busch’s single-season record of 13 from 2010, with seven races still to go. His dominance has him locked in as the regular-season champion, carrying a hefty points lead into the playoffs. But Zilisch’s Xfinity success is one thing; his jump to the full-time Cup Series in 2026 with Trackhouse Racing, alongside the likes of Shane van Gisbergen, brings a whole new challenge.

He’s dipped his toe in Cup waters already this year, making three starts, including an 11th-place finish at Atlanta. But the full-time shift from Xfinity cars to the Next Gen machine, plus the brutal ovals, could test him like never before. So, how will the NASCAR Cup Series potentially shock Connor Zilisch? Let’s hear from none other than his owner and onetime crew chief, Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Dale Jr.’s candid outlook on Zilisch’s rookie challenges

On the latest episode of the Dale Jr. Download podcast, Dale Earnhardt Jr. didn’t hold back when sizing up Connor Zilisch’s impending rookie year in the Cup Series. Chatting with hosts about Zilisch’s blistering Xfinity form, Junior delivered a grounded six-word verdict. “First year to sort of be rough.”

Dale Earnhardt Jr. pointed out that Trackhouse’s “hot and cold vibe” plays a role, saying, “They run the 600 fastest car there by far. And then disappear for a while.” This inconsistency, seen in their strong Coca-Cola 600 showing contrasted with quieter weeks elsewhere, could leave Zilisch mid-pack often as he adjusts. Drawing from Connor Zilisch‘s limited Cup exposure, like his DNF at COTA after tangling with teammate Daniel Suarez, Junior emphasized the patience needed, much like how Noah Gragson struggled post-Xfinity dominance, managing just three top-fives in two full Cup seasons despite 13 Xfinity wins.

The core of Junior’s caution lies in the massive gap between Xfinity and Cup machinery. “He’s 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,” Junior explained. Unlike the more forgiving Xfinity cars with taller sidewalls that allow aggressive cornering, the Next Gen Cup car demands precision amid dirty air and tighter margins for error; think how Zilisch might slap the wall on corner exit trailing traffic, a common rookie pitfall.

Junior compared it to Chase Briscoe’s journey at Stewart-Haas Racing, where it took a whole first season to build that “new notebook” on the car’s limits without wrecking out and winning his first race at Phoenix. But still, Briscoe, jumping teams in 2025, racked up DNFs early before clicking with top-10 runs; Zilisch, with zero oval experience at the Cup level beyond brief superspeedway tastes, could mirror that grind on tracks like Daytona and Atlanta.

Still, Junior sees bright spots, especially on road courses where Zilisch thrives. “Wouldn’t be surprised if Connor battles for a win in a road course. I think that’s not stepping out of bounds,” he noted, crediting 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.

Yet Junior tempered 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, where avoiding toe-link breaks and bad-air mishaps turned a rough start into consistency. For Zilisch, smart survival in an opener like Daytona could set a solid tone, but expect some 20th-place runs turning into unplanned pit stops.

As Dale Jr. unpacks these transitions, his insights extend beyond rookies to the veterans chasing glory in these playoffs.

Dale Jr. sees Denny Hamlin poised for Cup breakthrough

Dale Earnhardt Jr. turned his podcast lens to the playoffs, zeroing in on Denny Hamlin as the driver best equipped for that long-sought championship. At 44, Hamlin has grabbed three Daytona 500s and 59 Cup wins, but the title has slipped away in finals at Phoenix time and again, like his 2020 title run in Phoenix, where he failed to lead a single lap and finished fourth, or 2021’s late-race fade at Martinsville when he was spun out by Alex Bowman.

Junior praised Hamlin’s evolution, stating, “Every year we say, ‘Man, this is his best shot.’ What Denny’s been able to do over the last handful of seasons to be one of the favorites, one of the contenders year after year after year. And literally every single year it seems like he’s even better.”

This build-up culminated in Hamlin’s recent Gateway win, his fifth of 2025, clinching a Round of 12 spot despite Joe Gibbs Racing‘s crew shake-ups. Junior doubled down on Hamlin’s edge, saying, “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 peers fading with age, Hamlin’s work ethic, honed under Joe Gibbs’ guidance, keeps him sharp against youngsters. With the No. 11 Camry humming, Junior views this as Hamlin’s window to finally hoist the trophy before Phoenix.

Fuente: https://www.essentiallysports.com/nascar-news-dale-jr-warns-connor-zilisch-with-six-word-honest-verdict-on-his-rookie-cup-run/

Few seasons in the Xfinity Series have sparked as much buzz in the NASCAR garage as Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s young prodigy, Connor Zilisch’s 2025 campaign. Driving the No. 88 for JR Motorsports, the young talent has been on fire, notching his ninth win last weekend at Gateway in the Nu Way 200. That’s seven victories in his last eight starts, putting him on the cusp of Kyle Busch’s single-season record of 13 from 2010, with seven races still to go. His dominance has him locked in as the regular-season champion, carrying a hefty points lead into the playoffs. But Zilisch’s Xfinity success is one thing; his jump to the full-time Cup Series in 2026 with Trackhouse Racing, alongside the likes of Shane van Gisbergen, brings a whole new challenge.

He’s dipped his toe in Cup waters already this year, making three starts, including an 11th-place finish at Atlanta. But the full-time shift from Xfinity cars to the Next Gen machine, plus the brutal ovals, could test him like never before. So, how will the NASCAR Cup Series potentially shock Connor Zilisch? Let’s hear from none other than his owner and onetime crew chief, Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Dale Jr.’s candid outlook on Zilisch’s rookie challenges

On the latest episode of the Dale Jr. Download podcast, Dale Earnhardt Jr. didn’t hold back when sizing up Connor Zilisch’s impending rookie year in the Cup Series. Chatting with hosts about Zilisch’s blistering Xfinity form, Junior delivered a grounded six-word verdict: “first year to sort of be rough.”

Dale Earnhardt Jr. pointed out that Trackhouse’s “hot and cold vibe” plays a role, saying, “They run the 600 fastest car there by far. And then disappear for a while.” This inconsistency, seen in their strong Coca-Cola 600 showing contrasted with quieter weeks elsewhere, could leave Zilisch mid-pack often as he adjusts. Drawing from Connor Zilisch‘s limited Cup exposure, like his DNF at COTA after tangling with teammate Daniel Suarez, Junior emphasized the patience needed, much like how Noah Gragson struggled post-Xfinity dominance, managing just three top-fives in two full Cup seasons despite 13 Xfinity wins.

The core of Junior’s caution lies in the massive gap between Xfinity and Cup machinery. “He’s 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,” Junior explained. Unlike the more forgiving Xfinity cars with taller sidewalls that allow aggressive cornering, the Next Gen Cup car demands precision amid dirty air and tighter margins for error; think how Zilisch might slap the wall on corner exit trailing traffic, a common rookie pitfall.

Junior compared it to Chase Briscoe’s journey at Stewart-Haas Racing, where it took a whole first season to build that “new notebook” on the car’s limits without wrecking out and winning his first race at Phoenix. But still, Briscoe, jumping teams in 2025, racked up DNFs early before clicking with top-10 runs; Zilisch, with zero oval experience at the Cup level beyond brief superspeedway tastes, could mirror that grind on tracks like Daytona and Atlanta.

Still, Junior sees bright spots, especially on road courses where Zilisch thrives. “Wouldn’t be surprised if Connor battles for a win in a road course. I think that’s not stepping out of bounds,” he noted, crediting 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.

Yet Junior tempered 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, where avoiding toe-link breaks and bad-air mishaps turned a rough start into consistency. For Zilisch, smart survival in an opener like Daytona could set a solid tone, but expect some 20th-place runs turning into unplanned pit stops.

As Dale Jr. unpacks these transitions, his insights extend beyond rookies to the veterans chasing glory in these playoffs.

Dale Jr. sees Denny Hamlin poised for Cup breakthrough

Dale Earnhardt Jr. turned his podcast lens to the playoffs, zeroing in on Denny Hamlin as the driver best equipped for that long-sought championship. At 44, Hamlin has grabbed three Daytona 500s and 59 Cup wins, but the title has slipped away in finals at Phoenix time and again, like his 2020 title run in Phoenix, where he failed to lead a single lap and finished fourth, or 2021’s late-race fade at Martinsville when he was spun out by Alex Bowman.

Junior praised Hamlin’s evolution, stating, “Every year we say, ‘Man, this is his best shot.’ What Denny’s been able to do over the last handful of seasons to be one of the favorites, one of the contenders year after year after year. And literally every single year it seems like he’s even better.”

This build-up culminated in Hamlin’s recent Gateway win, his fifth of 2025, clinching a Round of 12 spot despite Joe Gibbs Racing‘s crew shake-ups. Junior doubled down on Hamlin’s edge, saying, “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 peers fading with age, Hamlin’s work ethic, honed under Joe Gibbs’ guidance, keeps him sharp against youngsters. With the No. 11 Camry humming, Junior views this as Hamlin’s window to finally hoist the trophy before Phoenix.

Fuente: https://www.essentiallysports.com/nascar-news-dale-jr-warns-connor-zilisch-with-six-word-honest-verdict-on-his-rookie-cup-run/

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 around Connor Zilisch’s breakout 2025 season in the Xfinity Series, particularly his nine victories, including the last one at Gateway. The young talent’s dominance has secured him the regular-season championship and a strong position for the playoffs, but his impending jump to the full-time Cup Series with Trackhouse Racing presents a significant challenge. NASCAR Cup Series veteran Dale Earnhardt Jr. offered a candid six-word assessment of Zilisch’s upcoming rookie year.

“First year to sort of be rough.”

Junior highlighted Trackhouse’s “hot and cold vibe,” noting their tendency to perform exceptionally well in certain races while struggling in others. This inconsistency, exemplified by their strong showing at the Coca-Cola 600 contrasted with quieter weeks elsewhere, could leave Zilisch battling mid-pack. Drawing from Zilisch’s limited Cup exposure, including his DNF at COTA and his experience with Daniel Suarez, Junior emphasized the need for patience, mirroring Noah Gragson’s struggles post-Xfinity dominance.

The core of Junior’s caution lies in the immense gap between Xfinity and Cup machinery. “He’s 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,” Junior explained. Unlike the more forgiving Xfinity cars with taller sidewalls, the Next Gen Cup car demands precision amidst dirty air and tighter margins for error; Zilisch might slap the wall on corner exit trailing traffic, a common rookie pitfall.

He compared Zilisch’s journey to that of Chase Briscoe’s at Stewart-Haas Racing, where it took a whole first season to build a “new notebook” on the car’s limits without wrecking out and winning his first race at Phoenix. However, Briscoe, jumping teams in 2025, racked up DNFs early before clicking with top-10 runs; Zilisch, with zero oval experience at the Cup level beyond brief superspeedway tastes, could mirror that grind on tracks like Daytona and Atlanta.

Despite these challenges, Junior sees bright spots, particularly on road courses where Zilisch thrives. “Wouldn’t be surprised if Connor battles for a win in a road course. I think that’s not stepping out of bounds,” he noted, crediting 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.

Yet Junior tempered 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, where avoiding toe-link breaks and bad-air mishaps turned a rough start into consistency. For Zilisch, smart survival in an opener like Daytona could set a solid tone, but expect some 20th-place runs turning into unplanned pit stops.

Dale Jr. also offered insights into the playoffs, specifically identifying Denny Hamlin as the driver best equipped for a championship run. Hamlin’s evolution over the past few seasons has positioned him as a consistent contender, and his recent Gateway win solidified his position in the Round of 12.

This build-up culminated in Hamlin’s recent Gateway win, his fifth of 2025, clinching a Round of 12 spot despite Joe Gibbs Racing‘s crew shake-ups. Junior doubled down on Hamlin’s edge, saying, “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 peers fading with age, Hamlin’s work ethic, honed under Joe Gibbs’ guidance, keeps him sharp against youngsters. With the No. 11 Camry humming, Junior views this as Hamlin’s window to finally hoist the trophy before Phoenix.

Fuente: https://www.essentiallysports.com/nascar-news-dale-jr-warns-connor-zilisch-with-six-word-honest-verdict-on-his-rookie-cup-run/