Kyle Busch names Connor Zilisch as exception to rule for congratulating NASCAR drivers on wins

When it comes to congratulating others, Kyle Busch isn’t big on the trend. He did have an exception recently, though. The two-time NASCAR champion has a bit of a Kobe Bryant “Mamba Mentality,” in the way that he doesn’t care to make friends. If no one else in the garage likes Rowd, he couldn’t care less.

Kyle Busch has matured into the old, wily veteran in front of our eyes. Yes, the wins have not been there. However, we still see glimpses of his talent and skill at times, even in the rough RCR equipment he has been racing.

Speaking to Jeff Gluck of The Athletic, Busch was asked if he reaches out to other drivers after they win. He does not. At all. However, he did recently message 19-year-old Connor Zilisch.

“I did text Connor Zilisch and congratulated him on one of his wins,” Busch told Gluck. “He’s a good kid, so I like him.”

Connor Zilisch has ten straight top-five finishes going into Watkins Glen this weekend. Before Iowa, he had won three straight Xfinity Series races. Ever since Zilisch missed Texas due to a back injury, he has returned and turned up his performances a notch.

Right now, Zilisch is tied with his JR Motorsports teammate, Justin Allgaier, for the regular season championship. Things are going very well for Zilisch. So well that Kyle Busch reached out to him. That’s a compliment if I ever heard one.

Kyle Busch needs to get back to Victory Lane

Right now, Kyle Busch could use a little bit of whatever Connor Zilisch has going on for him in the Xfinity Series. The two drivers are going to face off this weekend at Watkins Glen in the Truck and Cup Series. It will be an exciting weekend of racing.

There is no secret about Busch and his struggles at RCR. There is a concern with Rowdy being an aging driver. There is no denying that. However, it feels like his cars are not able to handle his aggressiveness or his style on the track. It has led to wrecks, slow setups, and flat-out being out of the conversation on Sundays.

Whether it is the driver, the crew, or the car – something has to change. It does not appear that Busch is the problem. He is a future Hall of Famer who was winning multiple races not long ago. At this point, it feels like he could do better at just about any other organization that isn’t Rick Ware or Haas.

Kyle Busch has done very well on the road courses this season. Can he step up and take on Zilisch and SVG at The Glen and pull off a dramatic, late-season win?