Corey LaJoie praises Connor Zilisch as a 'stud' ahead of Coca-Cola 600 debut

Ahead of the qualifying session today at Charlotte, Corey LaJoie heaped praise on Connor Zilisch, making his Coca-Cola 600 debut. LaJoie, a part-time NASCAR driver this season, is part of Prime Video’s broadcast group this season. He had great things to say about the young Trackhouse Racing driver.

Connor Zilisch is making his oval debut in the NASCAR Cup Series. Trackhouse Racing has him back in the No. 87 car, their open entry for this season. He is doing his own version of the Double with Xfinity and Cup duties.

On top of his big day on Sunday, Zilisch is coming off his back injury at Talladega. That didn’t seem to bother him in the Xfinity car as he qualified P2. Here is what Corey LaJoie had to say about Zilisch and his talent during Cup practice today on Prime Video.

“Just a stud. Hometown kid as well from Mooresville,” LaJoie explained. “He’s got all the tools, he’s got the poise, he’s got the maturity. But he’s got a long night tomorrow night ahead of him. What I don’t love about it right now is that metric draw. Not a full-time car at Trackhouse, it’s his second Cup Series start, first on an oval, goes out first to qualify.

“That’s a big disadvantage with this car. That track continues to get cleaned up every car that goes on it, and he’s got a big disadvantage, which then perpetuates a tough pit road selection. So, I hope he can overcome it, and if anybody can do it, I think it’s Connor.”

Corey LaJoie is joined by Danielle Trotta and Carl Edwards on the Prime Video infield desk. This weekend should be a breath of fresh air in terms of the broadcasting product for NASCAR fans.

Connor Zilisch is the next one up

Despite his injury a few weeks ago, Connor Zilisch is racing 900 miles this weekend. He qualified well in his Xfinity car and should be in contention for a win. Zilisch has yet to win an Xfinity race on an oval, but he has a win from COTA earlier this season.

While his oval skills are still developing, he is only 18 after all, Zilisch has a knack for speed. He just knows how to get it all out of his car when it comes to these one-lap runs. He has pole awards at Martinsville and Rockingham on top of his pole and win at COTA.

Everyone is high on Zilisch and for good reason. He is perhaps the most multi-faceted teenager that NASCAR has seen since Kyle Larson. No, he doesn’t rip it on the cushion on dirt tracks, but Zilisch has raced a variety of cars already in his young career. He has a Daytona 24 Hours win and a Sebring 12 Hours win in LMP2 competition already.

Road courses, ovals, it is starting to not matter what Connor Zilisch is doing. He is going to be fast, learn quickly, and show that he is one of the future stars of the sport.