At only 19 years old, Connor Zilisch is quickly establishing himself as a formidable presence in motorsports, showcasing remarkable talent in the NASCAR Xfinity Series while setting his sights on accomplishing a rare feat—the Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. His ongoing success and bold aspirations have sparked excitement among fans and industry insiders alike.

Zilisch has been enjoying an outstanding season with JR Motorsports, winning five races so far. His recent third consecutive victory at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway highlighted his dominant performance within the series and bolstered his growing reputation.

Ambitions to Compete on Racing’s Grandest Stage

The teenager’s impressive streak has not gone unnoticed. During a post-race interview, Zilisch openly expressed his dream of participating in the Indianapolis 500, emphasizing its significance.

I would love to race in the Indianapolis 500,

Zilisch shared.

I grew up watching it on TV, and in my opinion, it’s the biggest race in the world, and as a racecar driver, you want to win those races.

His commitment to this goal is reinforced by his strong open-wheel racing background prior to NASCAR, having made history as the only American to win the FIA Karting Academy Trophy in Europe. This experience provides a solid foundation for tackling the sophisticated demands of the Indy 500.

Dale Earnhardt Jr., a respected voice in racing and NASCAR Hall of Famer, has been impressed by Zilisch’s rapid progress and raw talent behind the wheel.

The only thing I think is close is Jeff Gordon or Jimmie Johnson,

Earnhardt Jr. remarked after Zilisch’s recent win at Indianapolis.

He might be even more of a comet. (They) were sorta rare, and he might be even rarer than that.

Earnhardt’s comparison places Zilisch among elite company, noting the rarity and brilliance of drivers like Gordon, a four-time NASCAR champion, and Johnson, a seven-time champion known for his dominance.

Having made his Xfinity debut in 2024, Zilisch’s five wins underscore an exceptional start to his NASCAR career, fueling speculation about his possible ascent to the NASCAR Cup Series with Trackhouse Racing as early as next year.

Inspiration from Kyle Larson’s Attempts at ‘The Double’ Challenge

Kyle Larson’s efforts to complete ‘The Double’—racing the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day in both 2024 and 2025—have been well documented, though neither attempt ended in success. Despite those obstacles, Zilisch views Larson’s pursuits as motivation rather than a warning.

There’s a lot of implications, and it’s a hard thing to pull off, but if I were to have a bucket list, it would certainly be on it,

Zilisch noted.

I don’t know when the opportunity would come or how it would come or who I’d race with, but obviously with Kyle doing the double, it’s possible.

This ambition to follow in Larson’s footsteps fuels Zilisch’s determination to test his limits across different racing disciplines.

Potential Indy 500 Entry and Future Prospects

The racing community is closely watching Zilisch’s trajectory, with increasing speculation about a possible Indy 500 run under the banner of Arrow McLaren. Zak Brown, the team’s principal, has hinted at a one-off entry, and Zilisch’s name has emerged repeatedly in those conversations.

For now, the young driver remains focused on securing the NASCAR Xfinity Series title this year. However, given his talent and expressed goals, a future attempt at ‘The Double’ combining the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 is becoming a plausible milestone.

Zilisch’s blend of open-wheel and stock car expertise, paired with the rare praise from legends like Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, and Jimmie Johnson, positions him as one of the most exciting drivers to watch in American motorsports today.