“I did a good job”: Connor Zilisch rates his spotting opportunity at Chicago after missing out on racing for being too young

Connor Zilisch could not race during the weekend at the Grant Park 165 Race in Chicago. However, the 17-year-old prodigy assumed the role of a spotter for both Saturday's and Sunday's races. After having completed his double duty, Zilisch spoke to Frontstretch, saying that he was happy with how he did.

Connor Zilisch drives part-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for Spire Motorsports and in the Xfinity Series for JR Motorsports, a team that Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. co-owns along with his sister Kelley Earnhardt Miller and Hendrick Motorsports owner, Rick Hendrick. He is expected to make his Xfinity debut at Watkins Glen on September 14. So far, he has run one Truck Series race at the Circuit of The Americas where he finished 4th.

Nevertheless, Connor Zilisch spotted for Parker Kligerman on Saturday's Loop 110 and Ross Chastain on Sunday's Grant Park 165. Recalling his experience, the Trackhouse Racing development driver said,

"It was a good time. Obviously, Ross (Chastain) didn't run as well as we'd liked; we got a pit road penalty but I enjoyed it a ton. It's always cool helping out my Trackhouse teammates. I felt like I did a good job for what I could do; you can't see much in the spotter's stand but... good way to spend a weekend off."

However, it was not the first time for Connor Zilisch spotting for a NASCAR driver. On being questioned further, the Charlotte native reflected on how spotting for Chastain was different from spotting for Kyle Larson.

Connor Zilisch on spotting two Chevy drivers

It was not the first time for Connor Zilisch in the spotter's den as just last year, he spotted for Hendrick Motorsports ace Kyle Larson and JR Motorsports Xfinity driver Brandon Jones at Watkins Glen International. However, he felt that being the spotter for any driver was almost the same. The only difference is that the drivers and their feedback change.

"I always enjoy myself coming out here and spot...it was my second time doing it...it's always a good time," Zilisch told Frontstretch's Bryan Nolen.

"Last time, I spotted for Larson at Watkins Glen. It was just a little bit different; different team and whatnot but same procedures and same everything. Just different drivers (and) a little bit different feedback," he added.

With that said, Zilisch prepares for his Xfinity Series debut at the Glen. Driving the iconic #88 JR Motorsports Chevy is like a dream come true for the young racer.

"It's a dream come true to have the opportunity to race in the Xfinity Series with JR Motorsports for select races this year," Zilisch exclaimed (via JR Motorsports). "I have a lot to learn considering that I've never raced on any big tracks previously, but there's no better team to learn with than JRM."

As per the latest reports, the 2024 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona winner will run three additional races this year at Kansas Speedway, Homestead-Miami Speedway, and the Phoenix Raceway.