Hamlin names NASCAR star ‘more ready’ than SVG – Sports News
Shane Van Gisbergen shook up the NASCAR Cup Series when the veteran Supercars driver received his first-ever race, the 2023 Grand Park 220 in Chicago.
However, this did not stop Denny Hamlin from labeling 18-year-old Connor Zilisch — contemporary off a win within the Xfinity Series 2025 Explore the Pocono Mountains 250 on the Pocono Speedway — as “more prepared” for the Cup Series.
“I would say that he’s more prepared for Cup than what SVG was entering this season,” Hamlin mentioned on his ‘Actions Detrimental’ podcast. “Like, I think SVG is getting better on the ovals. Certainly, it’s starting to show over the last four to five weeks or so, he’s had some good, legitimate runs. I would say his performance is also connected to the uptick in Trackhouse performance.
“But usually talking, I believe Connor’s having more success in Xfinity. Now, the 2 are usually not the identical as a result of SVG was driving for Kaulig. Connor is driving a JRM car, which is the best car on the racetrack.”
Zilisch remains to be a developmental driver for Trackhouse Racing, however he is gotten a style of two Cup Series races to this point (thirty seventh and twenty third place finishes). He’s set to compete this weekend in Atlanta.
Van Gisbergen, 35, has produced up-and-down outcomes (highlighted by his win in Mexico) throughout 2025, his first full collection within the Cup Series driving the No. 88 Chevy for Trackhouse Racing.
“But as far as being ready — I didn’t think SVG was ready,” Hamlin continued. “In short of his Mexico win, I think that’s proving to be true. But yet, he’s getting there.
“He’s proving he’s getting better, starting to get the hang of this. … Connor — I think would perform maybe not as good as SVG on road courses right away but has the potential to be there pretty quickly and probably would perform a little better on the ovals.”
Ziliisch received his first Xfinity race in 2024, the Mission 200 at The Glen. He is at the moment fifth within the circuit’s factors standings. Van Gisbergen received three Xfinity Series races as a rookie after making the soar from Supercars.
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Hamlin completed second behind his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Chase Briscoe final Sunday on the Cup Series Race at Pocono.
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