Over the past two NASCAR road course weekends, a thrilling rivalry has emerged between teenage prodigy Connor Zilisch and three-time Supercars champion Shane van Gisbergen.
Though both are still relatively new to NASCAR, their reputations for precision and adaptability on technical circuits have put them at the forefront of the Xfinity Series, with each earning a win in their recent head-to-head battles, plus SVG’s success in the Cup Series in both Chicago and Sonoma.
Van Gisbergen, who has made an immediate mark with his road racing prowess since joining NASCAR, has often been branded as a “one-trick pony” for his street and circuit dominance, but has very quickly put that branding to bed.
However, Zilisch, who will turn 19 in just a few days, has shown that he’s more than capable of keeping up and learning quickly.
Chicago: A Lesson in Respectful Aggression
The drama kicked off on the streets of Chicago, where the pair battled for supremacy during the Loop 110 on the 2.2-mile street circuit. Following a sequence of strategic plays and early-race setbacks, both JR Motorsports teammates lined up on the front row for a nail-biting final restart.
With just two laps remaining, van Gisbergen made a signature bold dive down the inside of Turn 1, forcing Zilisch wide into the wall. While the move was aggressive, it was also clean, and Zilisch made sure to acknowledge that.
“He didn’t do anything wrong. It was clean,” he said on the Stacking Pennies podcast with Corey LaJoie and Ryan Flores.
Despite losing out by a margin of just 0.823 seconds, Zilisch held no bitterness. Instead, he praised van Gisbergen’s racing conduct, especially in a moment where others might have resorted to contact.
“Going into the last corner, for a guy to not just line me up and shove, like square me off and send me… it takes a very respectful man to do that (and mature),” Zilisch said.
In NASCAR, where late-race drama often boils over into controversy, van Gisbergen’s clean execution left a lasting impression on the young American.
Zilisch also spoke about the challenge of defending in tight conditions with limited rear visibility in an Xfinity car. To anticipate van Gisbergen’s next move, he relied on reading subtle cues in body language, especially heading into the final sector.
“He’s got a lot more experience than me,” Zilisch reflected.
“These are the moments I can learn from him and make myself better.”
Sonoma: Zilisch Turns the Tables
One week later, the two squared off again, this time on the twisting road course of Sonoma Raceway. Armed with the lessons from Chicago, Zilisch came back stronger and ultimately claimed victory, overcoming another intense duel with the Kiwi.
The challenge, however, wasn’t just about speed. Sonoma’s abrasive surface and high tire degradation played directly into van Gisbergen’s wheelhouse, and Zilisch admitted he was given a clinic in racecraft.
Speaking on Stacking Pennies, Zilisch described the finesse with which SVG managed his pace.
“When it was time to push, like in the first stage, we saved tires for like 10 laps,” he recalled.
“And it was like a light switch when he wanted to go. We were just riding, I was playing off him, and he just took off. I didn’t realise he had gone until half a lap later, he just drove away.”
SVG’s calm and calculated approach left Zilisch momentarily stunned, but not defeated. He eventually reeled in the No. 97 and seized the lead late to earn a well-deserved win.
Though van Gisbergen had appeared to have the race under control for most of the event, a small mistake late, his only visible misstep, opened the door.
Even then, Zilisch remained awed by his opponent’s consistency.
“He rarely puts a wheel wrong,” Zilisch noted, emphasising that even SVG’s lone error came when no one was in a position to capitalise.
A Rivalry Built on Respect
Though they’ve each scored a victory over the other, Zilisch and van Gisbergen’s budding rivalry is underpinned by mutual respect. It’s rare to see a teenager speak so highly of a competitor who’s beaten him, rarer still when it happens two races in a row.
But for Zilisch, the past two weekends have been more than races; they’ve been lessons.
From Chicago’s hard-fought battle to Sonoma’s strategic chess match, he’s quickly learning how to thrive against one of the best road course racers in the world.
And based on the maturity he’s shown both on and off the track, it’s safe to say that this is a rivalry NASCAR fans will be watching closely for years to come.
Header Image: JR Motorsports/NASCAR
