Connor Zilisch reacts to Ross Chastain Coke 600 win, damage from Jimmie Johnson

In his first-ever oval start in the NASCAR Cup Series, Connor Zilisch held his own in the longest race on the schedule. Finishing P23 and only two laps down over the course of 600 miles, I would say Zilisch’s attempt was a success.

It was an eventful day for Connor Zilisch. He raced against one of his childhood heroes, Jimmie Johnson, and the two took a pre-race photo together. Then the two got up close and personal in the race itself.

Zilisch was spun out at one point by Johnson after the seven-time champ had an issue on track. It didn’t take the 18-year-old out of the race, though. The Trackhouse Racing development driver spoke about the experience after the finish.

“It was a really long day,” Zilisch told Dustin Long of NBC Sports. “My goal was to come in and run all the laps, and we did that. Finishing 23rd isn’t horrible. Probably better than I was expecting. We got some damage when Jimmie [Johnson] had an issue and spun into us, and that kind of hurt us for the rest of the day.

“I felt like we were actually pretty good during the first stage, and we were making up ground. But nonetheless, really proud of TrackhouseRacing. It’s so cool to see Ross [Chastain] win such a big race, and I’m very thankful to be able to get this opportunity in the Cup Series again with Red Bull and Trackhouse Racing.”

Connor Zilisch had a solid run. When you look at the drivers that he beat in this race, it puts it into perspective. Zilisch beat Ty Gibbs, Tyler Reddick, John Hunter Nemechek, Riley Herbst, Alex Bowman, Austin Cindric, and a host of other drivers who were DNFs. That list includes Bubba Wallace, Daniel Suárez, Kyle Larson, Ryan Blaney, and the legend, Jimmie Johnson.

Will Connor Zilisch race in the Cup Series again in 2025?

This season, we have seen Connor Zilisch race twice in the NASCAR Cup Series. His race at COTA was cut short by a DNF. That was his chance to really flex his strongest skillset, road course racing. After his oval debut, I think that Zilisch is well on his way to making more Cup starts.

After the race at Charlotte, Zilisch wouldn’t let the word slip on whether he had more Cup starts. He said as of right now, they don’t have any scheduled. With the race at Mexico City coming up this summer and races at the Chicago Street Course, Watkins Glen, and the Roval coming up, I find it hard to believe. And that’s just the road courses.

If Zilisch does make another Cup start on a road course, I would imagine Watkins Glen would be it. He dominated the ARCA and Xfinity Series races there a year ago. It is a track he is very familiar with. In fact, in a clean race, it wouldn’t be shocking to see the teenager compete for the win at that track.

Trackhouse Racing is taking its time with Connor Zilisch. They should. No need to move him along too quickly. At the same time, you don’t want to hold him back, either. While there are no more starts scheduled at this time, I’d be shocked if Zilisch doesn’t race in the Cup Series at least one more time in 2025.