Dale Jr’s prodigy Connor Zilisch has been on fire. Just two races into his Xfinity Series road course campaign for JR Motorsports, the 18-year-old has gone from a highly touted prospect to a driver who has NASCAR fans and legends paying close attention. But his victory at his debut Sonoma Xfinity race on July 12 did more than add a trophy to his shelf. It marked the latest chapter in a rivalry that is quickly becoming one of the sport’s most talked-about: Connor Zilisch vs Shane van Gisbergen.

The buzz first began in Chicago when Zilisch and SVG went wheel-to-wheel in a tense late-race showdown. SVG ultimately edged out the win, diving into Turn 1 on a restart in a move that drew admiration and skepticism in equal measure. One week later, the duel moved to Sonoma. This time, Zilisch returned the favor, not with contact, but with control. Holding off SVG for the final 30 laps under green, he executed a defensive masterclass that announced his arrival on the national stage. Zilisch recently opened up about what he feels about his experience dueling with his new rival.

Dale Earnhardt Jr’s driver reflects on outdueling SVG

Speaking on the NASCAR Live podcast, Zilisch reflected on the weekend with humility and sharp racing insight. “I definitely have a lot to learn from him and have learned a lot from him in just the two races that we’ve done this year. But yeah, it’s really cool to just get the chance to race against him and just kind of learn his way. You know, he is really really talented,” he said. Zilisch credited van Gisbergen for pushing him to the limit, calling the Kiwi “probably one of the best, if not the best road course racer we’ve had in NASCAR for a long time.”

Zilisch mentioned how the common aspect at Chicago first and then Sonoma was their aggressive approach, though in healthy competition. However, he also expressed how their battle at Sonoma was slightly different: “It was very clean racing. It was aggressive, but that was kind of the same story of this week. It was aggressive, but it was just a little bit tougher to pass at Sonoma. So I was able to kind of keep it behind me, just keep leverage everywhere and managed to just not let him get that spot to get behind me.”

What made the Sonoma victory more impressive was how Zilisch broke it down. He was aware that Sonoma has limited passing zones, primarily Turn 7 and Turn 11. Hence, he focused on protecting corner exits and managing pace through Turns 4 and 10. SVG may have had pressure, experience, and pace on his side, but Zilisch had poise.

In the third stage at Sonoma, we all saw how the outdueling got more intense and kept everyone on the edge of their seats, including Zilisch: “It was intense, you know, having to manage and not make mistakes with a guy like him breathing down your neck.” About the strategy Zilisch used in the final few laps, Zilisch said that he was “just trying to block and manage his runs from the front. It was a battle of chess.”

For JR Motorsports co-owner Dale Earnhardt Jr., Zilisch’s development has been nothing short of remarkable. At 18 years, five days short of his 19th birthday, Zilisch became the second youngest winner in Xfinity Series history, behind only Joey Logano. The contrast between Chicago’s elbows-out restart and Sonoma’s strategic defense highlights how rapidly Zilisch is adapting at this young age. And not just that, he is also learning the mind games that come with racing at the highest level.

SVG, for his part, has praised Zilisch’s pace and fight. Post the Sonoma race, he said, “Racing him yesterday, he doesn’t look like he’s 18. He’s placing the car in perfect spots and drives amazing, and he’s an awesome young kid. If he ends up being my teammate or not next year, I hope he does, it’ll be a lot of fun.” But with their record now split 1–1 in two successive showdowns, there is no doubt both drivers are eyeing the next chapter. Whether it comes on another road course or on an oval remains to be seen, but the groundwork has been laid for a rivalry with long-term impact.

Dale Jr’s prodigy eyes long-term leap to F1 after Sonoma statement

Dale Jr’s driver Connor Zilisch has had a swift ascent through JR Motorsports’ ranks. His road course craft is razor-sharp, and his adaptability unmatched for someone barely out of high school. Zilisch already has multiple wins in the bag and Cup Series experience. Through Trackhouse Racing, Zilisch is checking all the right boxes. And as the industry takes notice, questions are growing about his future, which might not stop at NASCAR.

Connor has a diverse background. This includes karting, open-wheel, endurance sports cars, and rapid adaptation across multiple NASCAR series. This aligns with the kind of versatile profile F1 programs increasingly value. Trackhouse owner Justin Marks and sponsor Red Bull have both expressed confidence in Zilisch’s trajectory. Although, they’ve emphasized the need to keep his focus on the current championship rather than next‑level speculation.

Clearly, Dale Earnhardt Jr’s driver hasn’t closed the door on the idea of one day racing in Formula 1. When asked on the NASCAR podcast whether an F1 career was possible, the 18‑year‑old replied candidly, saying “The chances aren’t zero.”

Fresh off a tactical masterclass at Sonoma, where Connor Zilisch held off Shane van Gisbergen in a 30-lap green-flag sprint to secure his third Xfinity Series win of 2025, the 18-year-old has officially entered the national spotlight. That remark landed amid a breakout year for Zilisch. He’s picked up Xfinity victories at road courses, including Watkins Glen, COTA (pole and win in March), Pocono (an oval), and most recently Sonoma Raceway on July 12.

Zilisch’s remark suggests real ambition and belief. Even a rare leap from NASCAR to Formula 1 remains within the realm of possibility. As the 2025 season advances, the motorsport world may find itself glued to his future. It remains to be seen whether the pathway between distinctly American series and global motorsport opens wider.