Herm & Schrader – “Who is Connor Zilisch?”

Podcast: Herm & Schrader (Kenny Wallace & Ken Schrader)
Episode Date: October 9, 2025
Produced by: SiriusXM, Dirty Mo Media
Guest: Connor Zilisch

Episode Overview

This special episode of Herm & Schrader delves deep into the rise of NASCAR phenom Connor Zilisch. Host Kenny Wallace sits down for an in-depth, freewheeling, and humorous conversation with the poised 19-year-old sensation. The episode highlights Zilisch’s unlikely start, meteoric achievements, worldly perspective from European karting, and his unique humility amidst success. Wallace and Zilisch trade racer-to-racer insights, swap stories about racing legends, and offer a candid, behind-the-scenes look at the making of America’s next racing superstar as Zilisch gears up for his debut in the NASCAR Cup Series.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Background: Modest Beginnings and Initial Reluctance (02:04–09:37)

• Origin Story
  • Connor grew up in South Charlotte, NC, not a racing family, and started karting at age 5 as a weekend activity with his dad and brothers.
  • “I don’t come from a racing family. I’m just one of the few people who actually is from Charlotte and, and grew up here.” (08:53)
• Late-Blooming NASCAR Fandom
  • He wasn’t a typical die-hard NASCAR fan growing up; it wasn’t until meeting Kevin Harvick around 2020 that he truly began following and pursuing NASCAR.
  • “I wasn’t a big racing guy. My dad got me into it, and I fell in love with it… it was until I met Kevin Harvick in probably 2020, where I started, you know, paying closer attention. And then… I think I’ve watched every single race and… now it’s my home.” (09:37–12:48)

2. Approach to Learning: Humility, Preparation, and Seeking Mentorship (02:20–05:56)

• Lean on Others
  • Connor repeatedly seeks advice from veteran racers, attends sim sessions, and surrounds himself with a strong support system.
  • “There are kids all over the world that want to be you and you definitely have a God given talent but you work hard for it.” – Kenny Wallace (02:20)
  • Connor is praised for his maturity and willingness to learn: “I wished I was like you when I was your age because you got no problem seeking out help.” – Kenny Wallace (05:22)
• Learning from Peers & Legends
  • Attends Chevrolet pre-race meetings, leans on experts like Josh Wise and Scott Speed.

3. World Experience: European Karting and What Sets It Apart (18:53–28:21)

• A Defining Trip to Europe (2017, 18:53)
  • Won the ROK World Championship in Italy at 11, propelling his career.
  • “That’s really the moment that things changed for me… after that, I started going back every summer.” (20:27)
  • Shared grid with future F1 talent: “Kimmy Antonelli… he took Lewis Hamilton’s seat at Mercedes.”
• What Makes Europe Important
  • Far more competitive; all kids funnel into karting with F1 dreams.
  • “It makes it a lot tougher to win… just a lot more people racing… to be the top guy.” (25:18)
• Personal Growth Abroad
  • Gained life independence by traveling, living with mechanics, overcoming language barriers.
  • “I’ve got a lot of really cool stories from the time I spent over there, not just at the racetrack but away from the racetrack as well.” (27:39)

4. Key Achievements & Records (31:39–41:32)

• Karting Accomplishments
  • 2017: Mini ROK World Champion (Italy) – out of 164 global drivers.
  • 2020: CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy winner; first American to take the title.
    • “Ten years before I won that championship, Charles Leclerc… he won that championship before me.” (31:49)
• Mazda MX-5 Cup Scholarship ($110,000), 2021
  • Judged not just on speed, but marketability, character: “They judge them off the person they are… not just how fast you are.” (33:47)
• LMP2 Wins: 24 Hours of Daytona & 12 Hours of Sebring (2024)
  • “The Rolex that I have is one of the coolest trophies I think there is in the sport.” (35:47)
  • “Winning two of the biggest sports car races in America… those were pretty crazy.” (35:47)

5. Path to NASCAR: Team Development and Contracts (37:46–43:19)

• Trackhouse Development Deal
  • Signed multi-year deal (end of 2023) for preparation for Cup Series.
  • Balance between Trackhouse, Junior Motorsports (Xfinity), and other teams, including stints in Trucks and Trans Am.
  • “They signed me with the goal of… getting me to be a cup level driver one day.” (38:07)
• First Stock Car Ride: Silver Hare Racing (Trans Am)
  • “They gave me my first ride in a stock car. I was 16, 17… that was a cool year.” (39:28)
• IMSA/Trackhouse Partnership
  • Drove in 24 Hours of Daytona for Trackhouse/TF Sport Corvette:
    • “That was really cool to get to race a Corvette at Daytona in the 24 hour, and Trackhouse helped put that all together.” (41:05)

6. Technical & Racing Style Insights (22:11–23:19, 42:21–45:15, 53:03)

• Strengths
  • Mastery with left-foot braking—central to his style:
    • “I’ve always been really good with, you know, my left foot and using the brake. Even today… that’s always been a strength of mine.” (22:29)
• Transitioning Cars
  • European sports cars feature overwhelming, high-tech interiors compared to NASCAR:
    • “When they told me I was racing for them in the 24 this year, they sent me an email with a… 70-page handbook on, you know, what all the buttons mean.” (42:21–43:19)
• Cup vs. Xfinity Differences
  • Not daunted by car differences—harder aspect is racing the best-of-the-best in Cup.
  • “The biggest difference is just how good everybody is.” (53:03)

7. Red Bull Athlete Life (46:10–47:58)

• Membership in an exclusive club of “99th percentile” athletes across all sports.
• “To be a part of a group of just 99 percentile athletes is really cool… I feel like I’m a complete loser because all I do is push a gas left.” (46:10)

8. Humility & Mindset (13:48–15:23, 54:40–55:29)

• Balanced perspective on talent and credit:
  • “For me I just, I just want to be me and go to the track and have fun and race… I try to just be myself and not let what people tell me kind of affect me.” (14:09)
• Approach to Cup Challenge:
  • “At the end of the day, I’m living out my dream, and… hopefully I can remind myself that each week and, you know, keep the smile on my face.” (55:29)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Wallace on Zilisch’s Humble Approach:
  “I wished I was like you when I was your age because you got no problem seeking out help.” (05:22)
• Zilisch on Racing with Max Verstappen:
  “He’s just another one of us. He’s a racer… Just wants to go to the track and win races and not have to worry about… the life that he lives.” (05:56)
• Zilisch on European Karting Culture:
  “There’s just a lot more people racing and in this one kind of division and, you know, it makes it a lot tougher to win...” (25:18)
• On Red Bull Athlete Perks:
  “Red Bull has these athletes… I feel like I’m a complete loser because all I do is push a gas left.” (46:10)
• Breaking Sam Ard’s Xfinity Top-5 Record (50:57):
  “It’s pretty crazy and it goes beyond me, right? You have to have a car that doesn’t have a mechanical problem for 16 straight races… there’s a lot of things that have to go your way...” (50:57)
• On Cup Series Reality:
  “Everybody that races on Sundays has won on Saturday, has won on Friday… The biggest difference is just how good everybody is.” (53:03)
• Living the Dream:
  “I’m living out that, that 10 year old, 11 year old me’s dream of, of, you know, getting to earn money driving a race car.” (55:29)

Timestamps for Essential Segments

• Meet Connor Zilisch & His Approach – 02:04–05:56
• Respect for Veterans & Asking for Advice – 03:55–05:22
• Formative Years, First Racing Memories – 08:53–09:37
• European Karting & Breakout Win – 18:53–20:27
• Personal Growth Abroad – 25:18–28:21
• Major Achievements & Stats – 31:39–35:47
• Role of Trackhouse and Team Development – 37:46–41:32
• Technical Chops & Style – 22:11–23:19, 42:21–45:15
• Red Bull Athlete Experience – 46:10–47:58
• Xfinity Record & Cup Promotion – 50:57–55:29
• Final Reflections / Future Outlook – 55:29–57:53

Episode Tone, Style, and Closing Remarks

The episode is candid, irreverent, fun—and loaded with the kind of back-slapping, wisdom-sharing enthusiasm you’d expect from the Herm & Schrader crew. Connor Zilisch emerges as a once-in-a-generation talent, as quick to smile and deflect praise as he is to credit others for his rise. Wallace’s enthusiasm for Zilisch’s maturity, methodical preparation, worldliness, and humility is palpable throughout.

“You are looking at him, everybody. There was Jeff Gordon… Tony Stewart… Kyle Larson… and I feel like you’re a driver right there in maybe five, five fingers. Top 10 for sure.” – Kenny Wallace (57:05)

For aspiring racers and fans alike, this episode is a showcase in how curiosity, open-mindedness, and humility—not just raw talent—forge champions.