“I didn’t feel anything”: NASCAR sensation Connor Zilisch reveals his state following scary crash at Talladega

Connor Zilisch spoke to journalist Bob Pockrass following Friday's Love's RV Stop 225 at Talladega Superspeedway, the first race of the Round of 8 and the 20th race of the season. The 18-year-old Charlotte native said that he was feeling just fine after a crash during the race.

Connor Zilisch is a development driver under an agreement with Trackhouse Racing, which allows him to run selected races across various platforms. The teenager competes in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for JR Motorsports, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for Spire Motorsports, the ARCA Menards Series for Pinnacle Racing Group, the Trans-Am Series for Silver Hare Racing, the IMSA SportsCar Championship for Era Motorsport, the CARS Tour and the Global MX-5 Cup.

During the race in Talladega, Zilisch made hard contact with Rev Racing's Nick Sanchez, who was running the top lane at the time, bringing out the first caution of the day to end Stage 2. Fellow drivers Chase Purdy and Ben Rhodes got caught up in the mayhem as well.

"It was a hard hit but I was expecting to feel more than I did," recalled Connor Zilisch. "I didn't feel anything."

Connor Zilisch started the race 12th alongside Sanchez on Row 6. However, while Sanchez managed to finish the race picking up 15 playoff points on the way, Zilisch had to settle for a DNF. Nevertheless, Zilisch felt that he had learned a lot from what was his first speedway race.

"My first speedway race... just trying to learn as much as I could while I was out there, but frustrating how it ended," Zilisch stated. "Still learned a lot and feel pretty confident going into next year... showing up at Daytona in my first Xfinity race for the full-time season."

Connor Zilisch is expected to compete full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for JR Motorsports. He will pilot the iconic No. 88 machine which was earlier driven by NASCAR Hall of Famers like Dale Earnhardt Jr., Dale Jarrett, and Darrell Waltrip.

Connor Zilisch excited for Trans AM race at a Virginia International Raceway

Connor Zilisch is all set to return to the Trans AM race this weekend under the TA2 category for the first time since his win at the Sebring International Speedway at the beginning of the season.

Virginia International Raceway, commonly referred to as VIR, is a special track for Zilisch. The young racer made his Trans AM debut there back in 2021, driving for Nitro Motorsports. In 2023, he became the first driver to win a TA, as well as a TA2 race, on the same weekend.

"Obviously, VIR is special to me because that’s where it all started for me with Silver Hare Racing," Zilisch said in an interview ahead of the race (via Trans AM). "I had my first test with them back in 2021. Then going there and winning in the TA2 race last year and winning the TA race on the same weekend, becoming the first person to sweep a weekend, it makes it a special track for me and one that I really enjoy, too."

Qualifying begins at 4:45 PM ET on Saturday, October 5. The main event of the day will start from 1:20 PM ET onwards and is expected to last for 75 minutes. Fans can watch the race live on MAVTV.