Shane van Gisbergen Brands Connor Zilisch an “Unreal Talent”

Trackhouse Racing’s Shane van Gisbergen has only positive expectations for his 2026 rookie teammate Connor Zilisch.

Shane van Gisbergen Brands Connor Zilisch an “Unreal Talent”

Shane van Gisbergen and Connor Zilisch (Via IMAGO)

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The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season will mark rookie debut of Connor Zilisch, one of the most exciting talents in stock car racing. He is set to drive the No:8 Chevy for Trackhouse Racing and many expect him to be a competitor for race wins. His teammate Shane van Gisbergen is really excited for the youngster’s debut.  

One of the biggest advantage Shane van Gisbergen has over the garage is his superior road course prowess and many expects Connor Zilisch to be driver to finally give the Kiwi a true challenge. SVG himself feels the same, as when asked about it he admitted that once the youngster get a good understanding of the car, he will be a strong competition.

Oh, of course. It’s hard jumping between the cars as they’re so different, and as I found out last year doing the one-off races, it’s hard with a part-time team. You’re not with the same guys every week. And, the car’s still prepared. Like, it was still exactly the same as my car setup-wise, but it’s just different.

Shane van Gisbergen told Speedcafe on YouTube.

The move from the second division of NASCAR to the first is massive. The cars react to track much different in the series and unlike in the lower divisions, Connor Zilisch won’t be racing with the best teams. The lack of practice and short qualifying window is a massive challenge as well.

You’re not used to the car, and again, you jump in, and it’s a short practice straight into qualifying, and once you’re buried in the pack, it’s hard to get through.

Shane van Gisbergen added.

The three times Supercars champion believes, once Zilisch has enough experience in the Cup cars, he will give a run for money for both at ovals and road courses. SVG called the youngster an unreal talented, who is developed being his age and has enough experience in his resume from racing in different series as well as investment into sim-sessions.

So, yeah, I’m sure this year racing it every week, he’ll definitely be up the front. He’s an unreal talent… The development of him at his age is so impressive, you know, with the simulators and the amount of racing that they do over here.

Shane van Gisbergen asserted.

Shane van Gisbergen explains how different oval racing from his pre-NASCAR days is

NASCAR and USA introduced Shane van Gisbergen to oval racing, as before that for almost 30 years the veteran drove exclusively on raid courses as well as street tracks. SVG still hasn’t found a way to succeed at ovals and still have a lot left to learn. He pointed out that the different between two series is like playing rugby and cricket.

Shane van Gisbergen at Mexico City (via Imagn)
Shane van Gisbergen at Mexico City (via Imago)

I don’t know if you’re thinking of ball sports it’s like going from rugby to cricket. You know you’re still playing with a ball but it’s just so different and yeah just the way the car handles and feels.

Shane van Gisbergen said.

The comments from the veteran racer shows the massive challenge and pressure he is going through as a NASCAR driver. The new championship format that ends the playoffs is also going be massive challenge to navigate for the veteran, as he will have get better as oval racing fast.

Also Read: Christopher Bell Explains How New Championship Format Will ‘Really Elevate Racers’