Shane van Gisbergen and Connor Zilisch, Trackhouse Racing teammates in the NASCAR Cup Series, are set to compete in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event at Watkins Glen International on Friday, May 8.
No, neither of the drivers needs any additional practice around road course circuits, as they are two of the best road racers in the NASCAR National Series, currently, but both drivers will look to go trophy hunting and to build a little extra confidence as their NASCAR Cup Series team is in the midst of a rebuilding year.
Van Gisbergen will slide behind the wheel of the No. 4 Niece Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado for the event, and he will carry primary sponsorship from Circle B Motorsports Auctions and J.F. Electric.
This will mark van Gisbergen’s second career start in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, and his first start in the series at a road course, his bread and butter.
Van Gisbergen’s first career NASCAR Truck Series start came at Indianapolis Raceway Park in 2023, as he was attempting to transition to stock car racing. Van Gisbergen finished 19th of 36 in that debut race a few years ago.
If van Gisbergen can win the Truck race at Watkins Glen, he will be able to check off the career trifecta of collecting wins in all three of NASCAR’s National Series divisions.
But if SVG is going to win the race, he’s likely going to have to deal with Zilisch, who will pilot the No. 71 Chevrolet Silverado for Spire Motorsports.
Zilisch will have primary sponsorship in the event from Trackhouse Labs. Like van Gisbergen, the 19-year-old Zilisch is seeking his first career win in NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series competition, however, Zilisch has significantly more experience in the series than van Gisbergen.
Zilisch has competed in eight NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races to date, with a best finish of fourth coming at Circuit of the Americas in his series debut in 2024. Zilisch recorded an eighth-place result at Watkins Glen in the series last season and a fifth-place finish at the Charlotte Roval last year.
Expect Zilisch, a 12-time NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series winner, to be very much in contention for the win in the NASCAR Truck Series event at Watkins Glen in a few weeks.
