“Hopefully, I’ll get another chance to do this again,” were the words from Connor Zilisch after a disappointing Cup Series debut at the Circuit of America. Having won the Xfinity race on Saturday, all eyes were on the 18-year-old driver as he was on the cusp of making history. The youngest driver to win a NASCAR Cup Series race was for the grabs, but before Zilisch could mount a charge his run was derailed. He wasn’t involved in a battle but got collected in other people’s mess, which was his teammate, Daniel Suarez.

Just like last year’s Xfinity race at COTA, Zilisch found himself in trouble during the chaotic Turn 1 with the drop of the green flag. The driver of the No. 87 Chevy traded more than just paints and sustained damage to his race car, but he marched on forward. It looked like the rookie driver had dodged the bullet and could be on his way to claim NASCAR glory, but tragedy struck on Lap 55. Daniel Suarez found himself in a rough spot and was spinning on the racetrack. And next thing you know, Zilisch’s car makes contact with the No. 99 unable to thread the needle. One of the biggest stories of the weekend wound up being caught in the mess which he wasn’t a part of.

Disappointment and heartbreak were evident in Zilisch’s post-race interview but despite the unfortunate end to his Cup debut, he took some positives from this experience.

“Really unfortunate way to end my Cup Series debut,” Zilisch told reporters, those seven words carrying the weight of opportunity lost. “We were one of the top five fastest cars in the second stage there. I went from outside the top 30 to 14th, and felt really good about our car. I felt like I never saw a person that I didn’t think I was better than. So it was really frustrating to end that.” Zilisch said after being released from the infield care center.

The teenager tried his best to navigate his way through the smoke but he ended up hitting the No. 99 Chevy. “All I saw was a cloud of smoke, and by the time I saw him, it was way too late to do anything,” explained Zilisch. The resulting collision propelled his car into the tire barrier at Turn 19, ending both drivers’ days and sending Zilisch home with a 37th-place finish. Joey Logano certainly took a sigh of relief to see his record stay intact after Sunday’s race.

Logano was just 19 years and 35 days old when he claimed victory at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in 2009. At 18, Zilisch’s early exit meant that the record remained unchallenged, but his performance certainly suggested the young driver has the talent to make history sooner rather than later. This was evident from the learnings that he took from the race.

Connor Zilisch racing beyond his years

Zilisch isn’t the first young talent to have a promising Cup Series debut end in flames. Joey Logano himself faced significant struggles early in his Cup career despite the enormous expectations placed upon him. Sliced Bread’s (Logano’s) initial races with Joe Gibbs Racing were also marked by crashes and disappointing finishes before he finally broke through with that historic win.

What stood out most about Zilisch wasn’t just his raw speed, but his approach to racing against veterans. “It’s just how to race against veterans,” Zilisch noted after the race. “These guys all are very calculated and smart with the things they’re doing. I had a lot of fun getting to experience that and learn from a lot of those guys.”

Zilisch’s weekend wasn’t defined solely by Sunday’s fiery conclusion. His Xfinity Series victory on Saturday—his second in the series—showcased his remarkable talent. Starting from pole position, he overcame a pit lane penalty that sent him to the back of the field, then methodically worked his way back to the front for the win.

While Trackhouse Racing hasn’t announced when Zilisch might get another Cup Series opportunity, his abbreviated debut performance suggested there’s much more to come from the young driver. Zilisch expressed his experience and willingness to get another chance, “I had an absolute blast driving through the field.” For a driver whose career trajectory has been marked by rapid progress, those words hint at a competitor whose determination remains strong despite missing his first chance to challenge Logano’s legacy. Who knows there might be more opportunities for him this year to have another go at Logano’s NASCAR record.