Three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Joey Logano has given his take on rising star Connor Zilisch.
Zilisch is set to join the Cup Series full time this year with Trackhouse Racing, replacing Daniel Suarez in the No. 99 car after a record-breaking season in the Xfinity Series.
Taking an series-record 18 top-five finishes in a row, Zilisch dominated with ten wins in his age-19 season this year, narrowly missing out on what would have been a well-deserved title when he was beaten by Jesse Love (two wins total, didn't record back-to-back top-five finishes) in Phoenix.
While Zilisch's lack of a championship may be an indictment on NASCAR's playoff system rather than the teenager's abilities, a number of drivers have warned that he can't simply expect to walk into the Cup Series and be successful.
Logano sends Zilisch Cup Series warning
Among those sending qualified warnings has been three-time champ Logano, essentially warning the Charlotte, North Carolina native not to get out over his skis when it comes to his own expectations.
"I think he's better than I was at that age," Logano told ESPN, "and he seems to be more mature than I was at that age. It's easy as an 18- or 19-year-old to drink the Kool-Aid.
"He's a great driver, no doubt. He won a lot of Xfinity races. Cup racing is different. Everybody is great at this level. Everybody is fantastic.
"So, you can't drink your own Kool-Aid too much where you think you're the next thing because you're going to get here and fall on your face. I lived it. As good as I think he is and will be, I also think he has to stay humble throughout it all and remember what's important."
