Every young and budding talent needs a support system and a mentor who can guide the racer through their competitive journey. Just like Bubba Wallace guides up-and-coming talent Rajah Caruth. Even the best prospects and talent often need the right road map to follow, and this path is no different for rising star Connor Zilisch.

The young driver already has quite a name for himself, tip-toeing his way to success in multiple racing disciplines, and his next goal is to break through in NASCAR. While Dale Earnhardt Jr might have handed him his maiden opportunity as a full-time driver in 2025, he suggested that the young driver could consult William Byron for advice and counsel.

Connor Zilisch trusts his mentor, Josh Wise

Just like Zilisch, Byron also hails from a rather untraditional background, learning his skills as a driver on i-racing and Legends car. He was good not only in simulation but in real-life racing as well, winning 33 Legends car races. It was Dale Jr who opened the door for his entry into stock car racing in 2014, signing him to JRM’s late-model racing program.

So, you see the connection Jr was trying to make, given that Zilisch is still trying to test the waters in the stock car racing world. “One of the guys that I think would be incredibly helpful for you would be William Byron. Because of his growth and process of traveling through the different various ladders in the sport, we’re very quick, right? When he goes from racing legends cars to the Cup level.” Dale Earnhardt Jr said this to Zilisch on the DJD podcast.

However, the former HMS star was curious to know who mentors the young driver apart from Kevin Harvick. “But who are some of the people that you enjoy hearing from or pinging to get advice?” In response, Connor Zilisch said, “Yeah, my number one guy is Josh Wise for sure, just the way he goes about everything he thinks about. He’s been super good about that and been honest with me, and that’s one thing that I appreciate about Josh. He will be honest with me when I do something wrong, and that’s something I need and appreciate.”

With this growth trajectory and ties with Trackhouse Racing, Zilisch is seen as the next prospect to make it big in the NASCAR Cup Series. However, Dale Jr was quick to highlight the non-racing factor that could shape his personal brand or success story. Which is important for drivers in this modern era of stock car racing.

Zilisch isn’t going to shy away from showcasing his personality

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One of the big hurdles for NASCAR in general is the lack of super-stars and their exposure to the community. Almost every other driver usually goes about their business and tries to avoid exposure or portray their story to the fans. Well, some have been abrasive about it and have been branded as villains. The likes of Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch fall into this category. But the 18-year-old JRM star is aware of how he could elevate himself and the sport by being his true self.

“That’s one thing I’m working on, kind of portray my story in a unique way, and something that I’ve found to be very important … Yeah, it is very important, and I don’t want to be the guy that has no personality or anything like that. I’ve gotten myself in trouble with some things I’ve said, and I’ve had to learn to learn the hard way on some of those things,” Zilisch added.

Signed to Trackhouse and running a maiden full-time season with JRM in the Xfinity Series, this is only the start of Zilisch’s rise on the NASCAR stage. And it can only get better from here on.