Denny Hamlin addresses Connor Zilisch NASCAR Cup Series readiness, draws comparison to SVG

Fifteen races into his NASCAR Xfinity Series career, Connor Zilisch has shown to be worth the hype. The 18-year-old is fifth in the points standings and just won his second race of the season this past Saturday at Pocono Raceway.

His immediate success is similar to that of Shane van Gisbergen, who won three races as a Xfinity rookie in 2024. Of course, there are some differences. Zilisch is 18 years younger than van Gisbergen. Zilisch is driving a JR Motorsports car, while van Gisbergen did his work in a Kaulig Racing machine. Despite the differences, Denny Hamlin sees Zilisch as more prepared for Cup Series competition now, than van Gisbergen was entering 2025.

“I would say that he’s more prepared for Cup than what SVG was entering this season,” Hamlin said on Monday’s Actions Detrimental podcast. “… Like, I think SVG is getting better on the ovals. Certainly, it’s starting to show over the last four to five weeks or so, he’s had some good, legitimate runs. I would say his performance is also connected to the uptick in Trackhouse performance. But generally speaking, I think Connor’s having more success in Xfinity. Now, the two are not the same because SVG was driving for Kaulig. Connor is driving a JRM car, which is the best cars on the racetrack.

“But as far as being ready — I didn’t think SVG was ready. In short of his Mexico win, I think that’s proving to be true. But yet, he’s getting there. He’s proving he’s getting better, starting to get the hang of this. … Connor — I think would perform maybe not as good as SVG on road courses right away but has the potential to be there pretty quickly and probably would perform a little better on the ovals.”

Connor Zilisch rolling along in Xfinity rookie season

Zilisch and van Gisbergen are technically teammates. Van Gisbergen pilots the No. 88 in Cup competition for Trackhouse Racing. Zilisch is signed to the team as a development driver. Zilisch sure looks like he’s ready to make the jump to Cup, as he’s performed well on both road courses and on ovals. As for van Gisbergen, he just dominated the Cup field in Mexico City but still has plenty to learn on ovals.

The threat of van Gisbergen on road courses is why Trackhouse owner Justin Marks has him in the No. 88 car. Ross Chastain still has multiple years on his contract and will continue to pilot the No. 1 car. Daniel Suárez’s contract is up after the 2025 season and if Marks wants Zilisch to take the next step, the No. 99 ride could be the move. Marks has said that no decisions have been made about the 2026 lineup.

Denny Hamlin high on Connor Zilisch

Hamlin said there’s a larger than ever gap between Xfinity and Cup. That being said, he sees Zilisch as the type of prospect that could successfully make the jump.

“I mean, the difference is winning an oval race in Xfinity and winning an oval race in Cup is I can’t even tell you the difference. It’s not even MLB to Triple-A. It’s what’s below that and what’s below that, it’s such a huge jump. These guys are fast; it’s hard,” Hamlin said. “Ask any Xfinity guy over the last five to six years that won like eight races. And then has struggled to get top 15 and top 20s in Cup. It’s just the step up in competition is pretty huge.

“If there’s ever a prospect that’s going to be able to do it, I think Connor is showing enough to me to garner that.”