They say comparison is the thief of joy. When it comes to an industry as competitive as motorsports, parallels are inevitably drawn, particularly in NASCAR. The sport can be brutally demanding, not just physically but mentally as well, and while some drivers get motivated by the achievements of their rivals, others wilt under the pressure of increased expectations. With Connor Zilisch winning his debut Xfinity Series race at Watkins Glen International, all eyes are on the 18-year-old racing prodigy, for better or for worse.

Using Bubba Wallace’s well-known struggles following Ryan Blaney’s championship victory in 2023, prominent NASCAR insider Brett Griffin has warned aspiring racers not to compare themselves to established superstars for the sake of their mental health.

NASCAR insider believes comparison is a double-edged sword

It’s one thing to see your rival succeed on the racetrack, but it’s another challenge entirely when that rival also happens to be your best friend. That’s exactly what Bubba Wallace went through when Team Penske driver Ryan Blaney lifted the Cup Series championship at Phoenix Raceway in 2023. Comparisons were inevitably drawn, as Wallace and Blaney have been racing together since childhood, and while one driver lifted a championship trophy, the other couldn’t make it into the final eight.

Using Wallace as an example, Brett Griffin spoke about the perils of comparisons, especially when it comes to a generational talent like Connor Zilisch. Speaking on the Door Bumper Clear podcast, Griffin went on to say, “I think those comparisons can either motivate you or depress you, and like Bubba Wallace admitted over the winter, when Ryan Blaney won a championship, it sent him into a downward spiral a little bit. Because he was sitting there and comparing himself to a guy he grew up racing against that was a good friend of his. Because that guy found a championship before he did, it beat him up. If I’m 18 years old, I would sure as hell hate to compare myself to a Connor Zilisch for the next 20 years.”

Griffin makes a valid point, as a talent such as Connor Zilisch doesn’t come around too often. The part-time JR Motorsports driver secured a victory at Watkins Glen International not once, but twice over the weekend, driving with maturity and experience beyond his years. The youngster secured his fifth ARCA Menards Series victory in six appearances at the 2.45-mile road course and went on to shock the world by not just qualifying on pole at ‘The Glen’ but also going on to win his debut Xfinity Series race dominantly. Now, Zilisch is set to take on a full-time role in Dale Earnhardt Jr’s team for the 2025 season and has already set the bar high in terms of what’s being expected from him.

While every driver has their own set of strengths and weaknesses, on-track success depends on a variety of factors, such as talent, hard work, sponsorships, and luck. Connor Zilisch’s Xfinity Series achievement is not the norm, but the exception, which is why Brett Griffin is warning aspiring racers from comparing themselves to the 18-year-old driver. If his recent performances are anything to go by, it would only be a matter of time before Zilisch finds himself competing in the NASCAR Cup Series, against the very best drivers that the world of stock car racing has to offer.

Why Connor Zilisch could be NASCAR’s next superstar

Trending

Ryan Blaney Risking Upsetting His Soon to Be Wife as He Reveals His Plans for the Off-Season After Failing to Defend His Title

New Parents Tony Stewart and Leah Pruett Share Their Complete Family Photo, and Fans Pour in Love for Baby Stewart

“Bad to the Bone”- Fans Left Dazzled by Danica Patrick’s Sizzling Las Vegas GP Reveal

Who Is Chase Elliott’s Girlfriend Ashley Anderson? Everything You Need to Know About NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver’s Rumored Love Interest

Martin Truex Jr. Girlfriend: Who Is Emily Collins, the Former JGR Star’s Red Carpet Flame

Every once in a while, a driver comes to the forefront, who has everything that it takes to reach the pinnacle of motorsports. He might just be 18 years old, but Connor Zilisch could very well become NASCAR’s next big thing, given the trajectory of his short but illustrious career so far. The North Carolina native became the first American driver to win the CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy at the age of 14, a title that was also won by Scuderia Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc over a decade ago.

If that wasn’t all, Zilisch was also the youngest driver in history to win a Trans-Am race and he ended up on the podium a staggering five times last year. Such has been his versatility and dominance on a racetrack, that just this year, he has won the 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring. Even Kyle Larson believes that Connor Zilisch will inevitably make it to the highest tier of NASCAR, going on to say, “He’s really good. He’s got his head on straight and he seems very mature. I think, for sure, he’ll be a Cup Series guy someday.”

His future might be bright, but Zilisch will be wise to remain grounded and develop as a racing driver one step at a time. A solid stint in the Xfinity Series for JR Motorsports will help him adapt to the rigors of stock car racing, but given his talent, it feels like his progression into the Cup Series will be faster than usual. While talk about his future and superstardom is nothing but speculation at this point, it’s hard not to be excited about a generational talent making their mark in NASCAR.