Connor Zilisch, the highly touted rookie, just had another difficult outing at Michigan, yet in his defense arrived Mark Martin.
The veteran's comments come at a significant period because Zilisch is seen as the next Jeff Gordon, with increased expectations on his shoulders, yet his last three back-to-back DNFs have challenged that narrative.
Reacting to Zilisch's criticism, Martin pointed out the difficulties of racing at NASCAR’s top level. "Man, the NASCAR Cup series can humble anyone, no matter how good you are. It's such a huge step from any other form of racing," he said.
Martin's words can be understood when you compare Zilisch's last year's O'Reilly season with this year's Cup. From ten wins in a single season last year, Zilisch is yet to open his account in any category, be it wins, top-10s, or top-5s. That shows the brutality of the Cup Series.
The remarks also came against the backdrop of some of the worst weeks for Zilisch, where he's not qualified in the last three of them.
At Nashville, Zilisch blew a right-front brake rotor on Lap 72 that sent him hard into the Turn 1 wall. At Charlotte, Zilisch was a victim of Austin Cindric’s car and at Michigan, he spun twice within a span of few laps to end his race in just nine laps.
Despite these continuous setbacks for the young driver, Martin seemed to suggest that early mistakes should be used as a blueprint for a developing career.
In doing so, Martin drew a comparison to one of NASCAR’s greatest champions as he added, “Jeff Gordon knocked off something like 21 front or rear clips his first year. He learned, and so will Connor."
The comparison seems to be sound when you consider Gordon’s Hall of Fame career, where he produced four Cup Series championships and 93 race victories. This seemed to add substance to Martin’s message that, at such a high level of racing, even elite talents struggle in the beginning.
In fact, there are many others besides Gordon who faced such struggles. Let’s take a quick look.
NASCAR legends who also endured early struggles
Martin’s defense comes right from the annals of NASCAR history. Dale Earnhardt, who was a seven-time Cup champion, started with one of his roughest seasons in 1982, where he failed to finish in 18 out of 30 races and ended 12th in points. He also suffered a major Pocono crash that resulted in a broken kneecap.
Jimmie Johnson entered the Cup with only one Xfinity Series victory and experienced several costly crashes before becoming a seven-time champion and an 83-time race winner. It doesn’t even end there.
Another example arrives in the form of Dale Earnhardt Jr., who battled concussion issues in 2002 and finished 11th in points despite winning both Talladega races that season.
This showcases that NASCAR’s highest level is often a huge hill to climb for even the very best, and patience is rewarded. That is exactly why Martin feels it may be too soon to judge Connor Zilisch.
Trending slideshow: 22 Drivers Who Built JR Motorsports' NASCAR Legacy Ft Connor Zilisch
Soureesh Datta
22 Drivers Who Built JR Motorsports' NASCAR Legacy Ft Connor ZilischSince Dale Earnhardt Jr. founded JR Motorsports in 2002, the team has evolved from a small shop into a NASCAR powerhouse. As of March 28, 2026, the organization has secured 110 total victories in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series. Featuring 22 unique winners, including phenom Connor Zilisch, here is the definitive list of drivers who defined this championship legacy. Walter G. Arce Sr./ ImagoNASCAR icon Mark Martin delivered JR Motorsports one victory during his tenure. While he boasts 49 career wins in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series, his veteran presence helped stabilize the team's early competitive edge. Martin’s technical feedback was as valuable as the trophy he brought home for the Earnhardt-owned stable. Jeffrey Vest/ ImagoRoad course ringer Ron Fellows secured one win for the team, showcasing the organization's versatility beyond traditional ovals. Fellows, a multi-time sports car champion, utilized his precision braking and shifting to dominate the turns. This victory contributed to his career total of four wins in the series. Walter G Arce/ ImagoJamie McMurray took the checkered flag once for JR Motorsports during a standout guest appearance. Known for his superspeedway prowess, McMurray’s win proved the team could compete with the best of the Cup Series regulars. This victory added to his career tally of eight wins in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series. Depositphotos/ ImagoKasey Kahne showcased his elite speed by capturing one win behind the wheel of a JR Motorsports entry. Kahne’s victory highlighted the team’s ability to attract top-tier talent from the Cup level. That win marked one of his eight career triumphs in this specific NASCAR national series. Jason Jackson/ ImagoThe boss himself, Dale Earnhardt Jr., proved he could still get it done by winning one race for his own team. Beyond his 24 career series wins, this victory was sentimental for the fans and the crew. It solidified the "Junior" brand as a winning entity both on and off the track. Jeff Robinson/ Jeff RobinsonMichael Annett captured one victory for the team, highlighted by his emotional win at Daytona. Annett was a consistent pillar for JR Motorsports during his full-time seasons, providing reliable finishes and veteran leadership. This victory remains his sole career win in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series. Walter G. Arce Sr./ ImagoDaniel Suárez added to the team's trophy case with one victory before moving on to a successful Cup career. The Mexican-born driver displayed incredible car control and speed during his stint. This win contributed to his career total of four victories in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series. Jeff Robinson/ ImagoThe "Kiwi" sensation Shane van Gisbergen has already tallied two wins for JR Motorsports as of early 2026. Transitioning from Australian Supercars, he has quickly mastered American stock cars. These wins make up a significant portion of his five career O'Reilly Auto Parts Series victories. Dan Wozniak/ ImagoTwo-time series champion Tyler Reddick earned two wins while driving for JR Motorsports, including a dramatic title-clinching performance. His fancy style pushed the equipment to its absolute limit. Reddick has since accumulated 10 career wins in the series, establishing himself as a premier NASCAR talent. Jeffrey Vest/ ImagoRising talent Sammy Smith has secured two wins for the organization, proving the team's developmental program is still thriving. Smith’s aggressive driving style and tire management have made him a frequent front-runner. These triumphs represent two of his three career wins in the series. David J. Griffin/ ImagoOften considered the best "pure" driver in the world, Kyle Larson has visited victory lane three times for JR Motorsports. Whether on dirt or asphalt, Larson’s versatility is unmatched. These three wins helped propel his career series total to 18 victories across various team appearances. Zoonar/ ImagoVeteran Elliott Sadler brought three wins and immense stability to the team during his late-career resurgence. Sadler was a fan favorite who frequently contended for championships in the No. 1 car. He finished his career with a total of 13 wins in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series. Depositphotos/ ImagoWilliam Byron enjoyed a historic rookie season with JR Motorsports, capturing four wins and the 2017 series championship. His rapid ascent from iRacing to NASCAR reality was fueled by these key victories. Byron currently holds five career wins in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series. Jeff Robinson/ ImagoChase Elliott made history by winning five races and the 2014 championship as a rookie for the team. At the time, he was the youngest champion in the series' history. Those five wins account for nearly all of his six career victories in this division. Stephen A. Arce/IMAGOThe ultimate success story, Josh Berry rose from the team's Late Model program to capture five wins in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series. His short-track expertise translated perfectly to the national stage. All five of his career wins in the series were achieved under the JR Motorsports banner. Jeff Robinson/ ImagoBefore becoming a Cup champion, Brad Keselowski secured six wins for Dale Jr.’s team. These victories were crucial in establishing JR Motorsports as a legitimate weekly threat. Keselowski has since amassed 39 career wins in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series, ranking among the all-time greats. Michael Bush/ Imago"Happy" Kevin Harvick utilized his "Closer" mentality to win six races for JR Motorsports during his part-time stints. His experience was vital for the team's technical growth. Harvick’s storied career includes 47 victories in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series over multiple decades. Imagebroker/ ImagoRegan Smith was a championship contender who notched six wins for the organization. His victory at the 2013 season opener in Daytona set a high bar for the team's success. Smith finished his career with six total wins in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series. Dreamstime/ ImagoYoung gun Sam Mayer has climbed the ranks quickly, securing seven wins for the team as of March 2026. Known for his late-race charges and road course skill, Mayer is a constant threat. All seven of his career series wins have come with JR Motorsports. Walter G. Arce Sr./ ImagoThe newest sensation, Connor Zilisch, has already reached 11 wins for the team by early 2026. His record-breaking pace has the NASCAR world buzzing about his future. Every one of his 11 career O'Reilly Auto Parts Series wins has been fueled by the team's dominant equipment. Jeff Robinson/ ImagoNoah Gragson brought high energy and 13 wins to the shop during his tenure. Known for his "all-or-nothing" style, Gragson was the face of the team for several seasons. He finished his time in the series with 13 total wins, all earned with JR Motorsports. David J. Griffin/ ImagoThe "Little Gator," Justin Allgaier, is the undisputed king of JR Motorsports with 28 wins for the team. His longevity and loyalty have made him the organization's most decorated driver. Allgaier has 31 career wins in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series, cementing his legendary status. Jeff Robinson/ Imago
