How do you measure a good race? Is it the final result, the lessons learned, or the realization that you let an opportunity slip away? All three were on Christian Eckes’ mind when he left Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in 2025. He was fast. The car was attributed to him. However, his thoughts were filled with dissatisfaction with himself rather than the competitors as he crossed the finish line in fifth place.

On the other side of the garage, an 18-year-old rising star was enjoying a race that solidified his position as NASCAR’s next big thing. At COTA, driver Connor Zilisch, who is renowned for his proficiency in a variety of motorsports, put on a clinic, displaying a level of control and execution that even his rivals were impressed by. It was a fight for glory, not merely a race. Yet, Eckes’ performance conveyed a different story—one of skill, experience, and a lesson learned the hard way—than Zilisch’s.

Eckes stumbles over mistakes, Zilisch shines with masterclass execution

Christian Eckes had conflicting feelings about the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Circuit of the Americas (COTA), despite it being a showcase for youthful talent. Even though he finished in fifth position, a regrettable late-race incident involving Connor Zilisch and William Sawalich, as well as his acknowledgment of mistakes, prevented him from having a career-defining moment.

After a successful start to his rookie Xfinity campaign, Eckes, who drives the No. 16 Chevrolet Camaro for Kaulig Racing, went into the weekend feeling optimistic. Before joining Xfinity, he had spent the previous two seasons reviving his career in the Truck Series with McAnally-Hilgemann Racing. He had trouble making decisions on the track at COTA, though. “I made some dumb decisions for sure, I sc—– up a little bit, or we might’ve had a shot. Real proud of the guys, we’ll move on to Phoenix,” Eckes told Wendy Venturini post-race.  

He acknowledged that his performance left something on the table and offered frank yet tough self-criticism. When Zilisch’s No. 88 Chevrolet flipped over in a stack-up with two laps remaining, Eckes and Sawalich were caught up in the pandemonium and participated in a multi-car collision. This eliminated a chance to place in the top three and forced the race into overtime. Red Bull-sponsored 18-year-old Connor Zilisch, who drives for JR Motorsports, has already caused a stir with his ability to switch between motorsports with ease. He had high expectations going into the 2025 season after winning in his 2024 Xfinity debut at Watkins Glen.

Zilisch demonstrated his road course skills throughout the race, even though he was involved in the late incident. Many saw him as a future NASCAR star, and his performance at COTA confirmed this. After the race, Eckes joked that “[Connor Zilisch] probably would have kicked my a**.” Zilisch and Eckes stand for two distinct NASCAR paths. After a difficult start to his career, Eckes, a once-highly regarded Toyota prospect in the Truck Series, had to battle his way back into the public eye. His comeback with McAnally-Hilgemann Racing and ThorSport eventually resulted in his Xfinity opportunity. In contrast, Zilisch is a young phenom who rose through the ranks swiftly with the support of prestigious organizations such as Trackhouse Racing. He is one of the sport’s most fascinating young drivers because of his versatility in several racing categories.

Eckes and Zilisch are positioned to be important players in the 2025 Xfinity Series season, even though COTA didn’t fully plan for either driver. The task for Eckes will be to improve his racecraft and take advantage of the speed that his Kaulig Racing team offers. Meanwhile, Zilisch never ceases to wow with his unadulterated talent and capacity to contend for victories even in strange situations.

Both drivers will have another opportunity to prove themselves when Phoenix approaches. Will Zilisch continue his quick rise, or will Eckes recover from his self-described blunders? There is little doubt that the conflict between these two rising stars is only beginning.

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Dale Jr. Hails Zilisch as NASCAR’s Next Star: ‘A Comet in the Making’

Dale Earnhardt Jr. praised Connor Zilisch’s performance at COTA in 2025, highlighting the young driver’s enormous potential. Earnhardt emphasized that Zilisch’s performance was nothing short of extraordinary.  He described Zilisch as having “the runway to become a multi-time NASCAR Cup champion.” if he maintains his concentration and keeps improving. Earnhardt admitted that Zilisch’s raw speed and versatility shone out, especially on road courses, despite his occasional blunders throughout the race, including blowing Turn 1 on Lap 1 and twice going over the track boundaries.

Earnhardt Jr. has actively contributed to Zilisch’s growth in addition to complimenting his natural speed. Earnhardt Jr. has been crucial in helping Zilisch improve his racecraft since Justin Marks of Trackhouse Racing moved him under the JR Motorsports umbrella. Zilisch admitted that he has benefited much from working under Earnhardt Jr.’s tutelage because he has learned a great deal from someone extremely knowledgeable about the subtleties of NASCAR competition.

During his post-race media appearance, Earnhardt Jr. also gave Zilisch a personal phone call, underscoring their mutual respect and mentoring connection. This surprising incident demonstrated Earnhardt Jr.’s faith in Zilisch’s ability and his increasing stature in the NASCAR scene. Earnhardt Jr. has a long history of nurturing new drivers, including Carson Kvapil, Josh Berry, and William Byron. His support of Zilisch suggests that the young driver is headed in the right direction.

Earnhardt Jr. compared Zilisch to a comet, saying, “We know when it’s coming, and we’re all going to be standing outside looking at the sky waiting on it.” This implies that Zilisch is viewed by the NASCAR community as a generational talent ready to have a big influence rising through the ranks. Earnhardt’s remarks are significant since he has cultivated several future stars through JR Motorsports’ development program, confirming Zilisch’s capacity to emulate the drivers he has coached.