“Struggling as an Organization!” Connor Zilisch Gets Massive Vote of Confidence Amidst Disappointing Start to 2026
Joe Gibbs Racing veteran Denny Hamlin has shared his thoughts on Conor Zilisch’s disappointing start to the 2026 season.
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Connor Zilisch (via The Tennessean)
The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season so far hasn’t been kind to rookie Connor Zlisch, piloting the No:88 Chevy. In eight races so far this year, P14 has been the Trackhouse prodigy’s best result and not securing a single top-10 finish two months into the new season isn’t what expected of the drivers that dominated NOAPS in 2025.
Joe Gibbs Racing veteran Denny Hamlin shared his thoughts on the driver on the latest espied of his podcast. He admitted that the youngster hasn’t matched expectations, but admitted that this might be because of the overall struggles at Trackhouse. Their best driver Ross Chastain isn’t able to crack top-10, hence more cant be asked from the rookie.
Connor is not performing like we thought. If Ross [Chastain] is my comp, I’d say Connor’s really running about the offset to Ross that you think he would run. The problem is Ross is 15 spots worse than what you would project. They have plenty of time to turn it around, which I’m sure they will.
Denny Hamlin said on his podcast.
The three times Daytona 500 champion was then asked by his co-host to give advice the youngster on how to bounce back. Denny Hamlin, who had an historic debut season two decades ago, pointed out that Connor Zilisch needs to work hard behind the scenes, and he will find his lucky break sooner than later.
You just stay the course. That’s my advice is that you just keep rowing the boat. Eventually, may the river flow and hit you in the ass, and you start going downriver. I don’t know. I think some of it comes with time.
Denny Hamlin added via Actions Detrimental.
Furthermore, the veteran pointed out that at the moment it is tough to say how much the racer is to blame for the struggles as the organization as a whole is failing match their standard. He would’ve really concerned for the driver, if Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen were winning races. The driver winning the Bristol O’Reilly Series race on Saturday, showed he still has what it takes and the only thing missing is the right car.
I don’t know how much of it is Connor, how much of it is car. If his teammate were up there winning races and whatnot, I would throw more of a caution to the Zilisch thing, but I just think that they’re struggling as an organization right now, and I think they would admit that.
Denny Hamlin added.
Another NOAPS driver is quietly making a name while Connor Zilisch gets back to winning ways
In the same podcast, Denny Hamlin talked about one driver that caught his eye alongside Connor Zilisch at Bristol. When Trackhouse driver was winning NOAPS race, there was Viking Motorsports’ 22-year-old No: 99 Chevrolet driver Parker Retzlaff, who continued his top 5 streak. Denny Hamlin is clearly impressed and sees a bright future.
One thing that we have overlooked on this podcast when it comes to the O’Reilly Series is Parker Retzlaff. I think we gotta start taking notice. Hopefully, everyone’s taking notice and not overlooking his results. I mean, he’s running well in no matter what he’s in. I just believe that — money could be the issue or whatever — but there’s no doubt there’s gotta be teams that are taking notice…
Denny Hamlin said.
The driver who made his NOAPS debut back in 2022 and remained in mediocrity till this season, is in the short list of many teams for 2027 as they now believe Retzlaff will deliver results for them of he is given the right a car. It would be interesting to see if the youngster can have the same level impact as Zilisch.
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