Imagine this: the reigning Formula 1 world champion, Max Verstappen, casually considering hopping into a NASCAR stock car. Sounds improbable, right? But it all started with a simple dinner. This isn't just another story about celebrity friendships; it's about how a shared passion for racing, nurtured in the virtual world, can bridge seemingly impossible gaps.
It all began with a seemingly random encounter at a Red Bull event. Connor Zilisch, standing proudly beside his No. 87 car, playfully extended an invitation to Verstappen: "You want to get in?" Verstappen's response, "I mean, I would like to do it," was more than just polite banter. It was a glimpse into a genuine interest, a spark ignited by a connection that ran deeper than the glitz and glamour of their respective racing series.
But here's where it gets interesting: the seeds of this budding friendship were actually sown months earlier, during a laid-back dinner in Texas. The unlikely connection? Shane van Gisbergen (SVG), the Supercars champion who famously conquered the Chicago street course in his NASCAR debut.
This wasn't some orchestrated PR event. It was a genuine racers' hangout, fueled by a shared love for competition. As Zilisch revealed on Kenny Wallace's show, the bond between SVG and Verstappen formed during the COVID-19 shutdown. With real-world tracks closed, they turned to iRacing, becoming teammates and close friends in the virtual racing world. When Zilisch was in Texas filming a video with SVG and other Red Bull F1 drivers, SVG extended an invitation: come join us for dinner with Max.
Think about that for a moment. During a global pandemic, when the world was locked down, these elite drivers found common ground in the digital realm, forging friendships that transcended national borders and racing disciplines.
This dinner wasn't a formal affair; it was an opportunity for Verstappen to shed his public persona and simply be himself. Zilisch, who grew up dreaming of F1 tracks before embracing the mud and grit of NASCAR, got to see a different side of the Dutch phenom. "He’s definitely a lot different than the public kind of makes him out to be," Zilisch shared. "He’s just another one of us. He’s a racer. He likes racing, you know, just wants to go to the track and win races and not have to worry about the life that he, you know, lives."
And this is the part most people miss: Verstappen, despite his immense success and the pressures that come with it, craves the pure, unadulterated thrill of racing, just like Zilisch. He wants to compete, to push himself to the limit, without the distractions of fame and fortune. It's a sentiment that resonates deeply with racers at all levels, from local short tracks to the Formula 1 grid.
Their connection was immediate, leading to the playful exchange months later in Austria. Zilisch's casual question about Verstappen trying his stock car was met with genuine enthusiasm, a testament to their shared passion for new challenges.
Zilisch clearly admires Verstappen's talent and his willingness to embrace different forms of racing. "He’s a guy that I feel like would race anything if he was given the opportunity and had the time to do so, so I definitely respect him and look up to him. He’s obviously crazy talented, and hopefully one day he’ll get over here and, you know, get the chance to race either some stock cars or sports cars or something."
Verstappen himself has fueled these speculations, stating back in 2021 that he'd like to try NASCAR one day, seeing it as a fun and different challenge. With SVG's stunning victory in Chicago as a recent example, the prospect of Verstappen in a stock car seems increasingly plausible. Perhaps, one day, we'll see him battling wheel-to-wheel with Zilisch on a NASCAR oval.
Controversy Alert: Some might argue that Verstappen, already at the pinnacle of motorsport, has nothing to gain from trying NASCAR. Others might see it as a refreshing challenge, a chance to prove his versatility and expand his fanbase. What do you think?
Meanwhile, Connor Zilisch is solidifying his own place in the NASCAR world.
Zilisch continues to dominate the 2025 Xfinity Series, his regular-season championship and impressive win total (-170 odds to win the championship) making him the clear favorite. His consistent performance, from pole positions at Circuit of the Americas to dominant rain victories at Dover, has earned him a comfortable lead in the Round of 8, allowing him to approach the unpredictable Talladega race with a strategic, rather than desperate, mindset.
At just 19 years old, Zilisch has already surpassed legendary drivers in terms of consecutive wins and top-five finishes, validating Trackhouse Racing's decision to promote him to the Cup Series in 2026.
His rivals, however, are not giving up. Sheldon Creed, facing long odds (+2800) after a difficult race in Las Vegas, acknowledges the handling issues that have plagued his team. "We’ll be pretty good in practice, and then we start the race like 10 out of 10 loose, so that was challenging at the start."
The Xfinity Series playoffs are a grueling test of endurance and adaptability. Creed's Joe Gibbs Racing team is constantly tweaking their setups, drawing on his 2024 ARCA championship experience to regain lost ground. But Zilisch's remarkable consistency makes these challenges seem insignificant.
Sam Mayer, another Gibbs contender, highlights the importance of making small adjustments to stay competitive. "Even though it wasn’t the best, we still made it better, but there’s always room for improvement."
Mayer, like Zilisch, is a young and talented driver, but his three wins pale in comparison to Zilisch's impressive tally. Zilisch's ability to overcome adversity, such as his victory at Portland after recovering from a broken collarbone, has created an unstoppable momentum. With Phoenix on the horizon as the championship finale, Zilisch's path to the title appears clear, a testament to his karting roots and his unwavering dedication to speed.
So, what do you think? Will we see Max Verstappen make the leap to NASCAR in the future? And can Connor Zilisch maintain his dominance and capture the Xfinity Series championship? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
