Connor Zilisch didn’t even have time to settle into NASCAR, and the comparisons were already absurdly big. Veteran reporter Jenna Fryer had called him “the most hyped NASCAR rookie since possibly Jeff Gordon,” effectively placing him in the same conversation as one of the sport’s defining talents. And on paper, the excitement made sense.

Zilisch, in the 2025 season, had built a reputation as a teenage winner across multiple disciplines and looked like a future superstar. But after a chaotic outing filled with early mistakes in the 2026 season, fans suddenly aren’t talking about the next Jeff Gordon anymore. Instead, they are now asking whether the hype had sprinted too far ahead of reality.

If you’ve been following the NASCAR Michigan weekend from the start, then you already know that Connor Zilisch’s weekend didn’t exactly begin from a position of strength. The rookie qualified 34th for the 2026 FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway.

However, pre-race penalties for multiple drivers, including Denny Hamlin, moved him forward a couple of rows before the green flag. Unfortunately, that little bit of luck disappeared almost immediately as the race started. On Lap 2, NASCAR threw the caution after Zilisch spun between Turns 3 and 4 while running 23rd.

The contact with the wall looked minor, and at that point, it seemed like one of those early-race mistakes young drivers shake off. Instead, it became the start of a disaster. Just seven laps later, things completely unraveled for Connor. On Lap 9, Zilisch lost control exiting Turn 2 and slammed into the inside wall, bringing out another caution.

The damage was terminal, ending Connor Zilisch’s day before it had really started. Over the radio, Zilisch immediately owned the mistake.

“I’m sorry, guys. Oh my gosh,” he said after explaining that the car had simply gotten loose underneath him.

The result officially went down as another DNF. However, what’s more concerning is that this now marks Connor Zilisch’s third straight last-place finish during the 2026 season, a stretch that suddenly made the conversation around him feel very different. Because when expectations reach “next Jeff Gordon” territory, mistakes stop being just mistakes.

NASCAR fans turn Gordon comparisons into a target

Jenna Fryer’s framing was not an exaggeration at the time. Zilisch had won 10 O’Reilly races in 2025, set the record for consecutive top-fives in series history at 18, tied the mark for consecutive wins at four, claimed the LMP2 class at both the Rolex 24 and the 12 Hours of Sebring in 2024, and was about to make his Daytona 500 debut at 19 years old.

AJ Allmendinger, when asked by Fryer who Zilisch compared to, didn’t hesitate: “I would have to say Jeff Gordon, honestly. There was Joey and the whole ‘Sliced Bread’ thing, but I think straight-up hype?”

So, the reaction from NASCAR fans after another DNF for Connor Zilisch was immediate and brutal. One of the comments perfectly summed up the mood:

“Yea, it’s not Trackhouse anymore.”

For most of the season, fans had pointed fingers at Trackhouse Racing. But that argument is getting harder to make. Zilisch currently sits 34th in points (lowest among Trackhouse drivers) with four DNFs and still no top-10 finish. Meanwhile, teammates Shane van Gisbergen and Ross Chastain have continued producing competitive results. SVG even has a win to his name and is looking to lock a postseason berth.

It is worth noting, though, that, at Michigan, all three qualified 30th or worse, and SVG and Chastain were also complaining about handling in the early laps.

But, still, Zilisch’s cumulative stat line after 15 races reads like this: 34th in points, no finish higher than 14th, seven finishes of 30th or worse, and a laps-completed rate of just 15% across the last three races alone.

His post-race comment to Prime Video — “I was really loose, but yeah, it’s just unfortunate. Another short race for us. Thank you to WeatherTech. We’ll go try and get them at Pocono next week,” — carried the quiet resignation of someone who has run out of immediate explanations.

Then came the obvious comparisons. “Yeahhhh next Jeff Gordon my a–,” one fan wrote.

That one stung because of what it referenced. Jeff Gordon entered the Cup Series in 1993 at age 21 and immediately looked ready. In his rookie season, Gordon collected five top-five finishes and won Rookie of the Year driving the iconic No. 24 for Hendrick Motorsports. Connor Zilisch’s first Cup campaign hasn’t resembled that trajectory.

Another fan questioned the timeline itself: “Maybe just maybe they moved him up too soon.”

That criticism wasn’t random either. Zilisch arrived after just one full-time season in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (formerly Xfinity). His lower-series success was undeniable, but Cup racing has exposed how steep the jump still is. And the jokes kept coming.

“Yeah I think Jeff will take his chances with Corey. Zillich to Hendrick lmfao yeah, no…” a fan pointed out.

That was aimed at the long-running rumors linking Zilisch to future opportunities at Hendrick Motorsports while suggesting Corey Heim may now look like the safer bet.

One final comment probably captured the overall feeling best.

“Maybe everyone, including Jeff, jumping to conclusions, calling him the next Jeff Gordon were a bit premature.”

Michigan didn’t end Connor Zilisch’s future. But it did remind everyone that hype and development aren’t the same thing.