Connor Zilisch may be one of NASCAR National Series’ top prospects, but the teenager may have a wandering eye.
While the Xfinity Series’ top rookie-of-the-year candidate posted back-to-back wins and leads the circuit with four trips to Victory Lane, Zilisch may be looking at a move to the Cup Series as soon as 2026. Beyond that?
The 19-year-old driver dreams of competing in Formula 1. Not just a cameo appearance for a race or two, but earning his stripes by taking a year or two break from NASCAR to rise through the ranks.
“Growing up it was my dream, I wanted to race F1,” Zilisch said, as reported by The Daily Express.
With Cadillac entering the F1 grid next season, Zilisch could have an opportunity, but before switching career gears, he wants to better establish his stock-car racing brand.
The timing doesn’t appear to be right for the 2020 Karting Academy Trophy series titleholder.
“If it were to happen, I’d have to go over there for at least a year, two years probably, to even get enough Super License points to qualify,” Zilisch declared. “I’d run F3… I’d just run a bunch of ‘BS’ series to get Super License points. Middle East F3, random things that you can do to get the points.
“That’s why it would be such a big commitment. I’d want to get settled in (NASCAR) first and know that if I go over there for two years I could come back and still have a job.”
In his past eight Xfinity starts, Zilisch (+350) recorded three wins, three P2s and one P4 and P5 and enters Saturday’s Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with the second-best odds to capture the drivers’ championship, according to BetOnline Sportsbook. Points leader Justin Allgaier (+150) remains the sports-betting favorite.
Connor is the only American ever to win the CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy, so why didn't he continue on the path to F1? 🏎️ pic.twitter.com/33kmEBBu1X
— Dirty Mo Media (@DirtyMoMedia) August 8, 2024
2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series Drivers’ Championship Odds
Here is a Week 21 look at the drivers’ odds for the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series drivers’ championship, according to BetOnline Sportsbook:
| Driver | 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship Odds |
|---|---|
| Justin Allgaier | +150 |
| Connor Zilisch | +350 |
| Austin Hill | +425 |
| Sam Mayer | +550 |
| Jesse Love | +800 |
| Sheldon Creed | +1800 |
| Brandon Jones | +1800 |
| Carson Kvapil | +1800 |
| Sammy Smith | +2000 |
| Nick Sanchez | +2500 |
| Taylor Gray | +2800 |
| Ryan Sieg | +5000 |
| Christian Eckes | +6000 |
| William Sawalich | +6000 |
| Harrison Burton | +8000 |
| Jeb Burton | +8000 |
| Daniel Dye | +12500 |
| Parker Retzlaff | +25000 |
| Matt DiBenedetto | +25000 |
| Dean Thompson | +25000 |
| Jeremy Clements | +25000 |
| Brennan Poole | +50000 |
*-Odds current at time of publication
