The NASCAR development ladder is not nearly as clear-cut as it once was. Instead of a linear path from Trucks to Xfinity up to Cup, drivers often largely skip a step or two. On a recent episode of the “Door, Bumper, Clear” podcast, Connor Zilisch and Jesse Love discussed working up the ranks. They made some eyebrow-raising comments about the value of the Xfinity Series over the Craftsman Truck Series, making us wonder if drivers value the Truck Series.
Freddie Kraft asked Zilisch if he would prefer the Xfinity Series or the Truck Series while working his way up the ranks. He already has a Truck Series race under his belt with more planned later this year, and he plans on competing in the Xfinity Series later this season for JR Motorsports. Zilisch said he would prefer racing in Xfinity over the Truck Series.
I do think the Xfinity Series has the most competition at the top, and I do think that’s good for me to learn. I feel like the Truck Series is still a bit of a mess, honestly. From fifth on back, outside of Cory [Heim] and [Christian] Eckes, and some other guys that can contend. The Spire guys are are there every other every week whenever they’re good, but, past that, it’s tough to kind of get into that stuff just because it’s so reckless at times. And I feel like in Xfinity there’s a lot more respect out there.
Connor Zilisch
This is not the first time people have criticized the lack of respect in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Perhaps the most glaring example of this playing out was the Season Finale at Phoenix in 2023, where Championship contenders Corey Heim and Carson Hocevar wrecked each other, and multiple overtime crashes pushed the end of the race back and cost Grant Enfinger a Championship.
For a young driver, would they rather race in a series with older drivers who tend to race each other more cleanly or get stuck in a crapshoot? Zilisch would understandably prefer being in a series where the drivers, at least in his view, race with more respect.
Following Zilisch’s comments, Kraft turned to Jesse Love. Kraft floated that the Xfinity Series is a better showcase of overall driver skill because the Truck Series is more dependent on outside factors. Love had this to say about that thought process.
I ran top 10 at all my truck starts, and I think it was just because of the air itself, right? Because I was constantly thinking then, even though some days out Truck wasn’t handling the best or some days it was really good, that I can put myself in spots on restarts and things like that. The Truck Series I think has the hardest restarts because the air and all that air is involved. But, as far as just raw ability goes and talent goes and where you’re at in practice where you’re at in qualifying, kind of bringing a car that wasn’t great that day and still finishing good with it, I think is way more doable in the Xfinity series than than the Truck Series, I’ll say that for sure. Obviously, Connor hit the nail and the head, that the Xfinity stuff is definitely, I think, really respectful, and you’re running against really good guys.
Jesse Love
Love and Kraft believe that the Xfinity Series is a better showcase of a driver’s overall ability. The Truck Series largely depends on factors like air manipulation, restarts, and overall equipment.
The Xfinity Series is also still largely dependent on equipment. Each of the first 20 races of the season, plus the final 19 races of 2023, has been won by a driver from one of the “Big Four” teams: Joe Gibbs Racing, JR Motorsports, Stewart-Haas Racing, and Kaulig Racing.
However, we have seen how talented drivers like Corey Heim, Joey Logano, Ross Chastain, and Noah Gragson have taken some smaller teams to solid finishes. A good driver can give teams good finishes in the Xfinity Series.
While Zilisch and Love may prefer the Xfinity Series, not everyone takes that route. Looking at the current Cup Series grid, drivers like Todd Gilliland, Carson Hocevar, and Zane Smith made it to the Cup Series with limited to no Xfinity Series experience. Corey Heim still has yet to compete full-time in the Xfinity Series, and he’s already been considered for the Cup Series.
One manufacturer even prioritizes Trucks ahead of Xfinity. Ford Performance’s Global Director Mark Rushbrook explained this in November 2023 when discussing Hailie Deegan.
There’s also the issue of the car. When Love discusses how aero-dependent the Truck Series is, it sounds much like the Cup Series. The Truck Series trucks drive more similar to the Cup Series cars. Brennan Poole, who has driven across all three series, said so in an episode of Power Hour in 2023.
So, the Xfinity Series might be a better place for drivers to showcase their talent, but the Truck Series might better prepare these drivers for the way the Cup Series cars drive. Which is more valuable? It depends on who you ask.
It’s not that drivers have stopped valuing the Truck Series. However, two top prospects believe the Xfinity Series does offer some things that the Truck Series struggles with.
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