The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season is set to feature one of the sport's most anticipated talent clashes on road courses: the battle between young prodigy Connor Zilisch and veteran Shane van Gisbergen. NASCAR insider Davey Segal shared his thoughts on the battle between two Trackhouse Racing drivers and whether Zilisch can match SVG’s road course skills in 2026.As Justin Marks’ owned Trackhouse solidifies its future with a powerful lineup, including a mix of young raw talent and experience. Heading into 2026, all eyes are on whether the Zilisch, fresh off a dominant rookie Xfinity Series campaign, can match or even eclipse the road course mastery of the SVG in his first full-time Cup Series season.NASCAR insider Davey Segal recently weighed in on the battle, offering a thoughtful perspective that both praises Zilisch's raw talent and highlights the subtle but crucial advantage SVG currently holds.In a PRN video, Segal said:“I think Connor is really, really close, if not banging quarter panels with Shane, in terms of a pure talent level in terms of road course racing. The thing is Shane now has bit of an advantage on Connor in terms of seat time in this Gen 7 car with Trackhouse Racing in the Cup Series. I'm not saying that Connor has got a lot of way to go to catch up to Shane, but Shane does have a little bit on Connor.”Three-time Supercars Champion Shane van Gisbergen built on his historic 2023 NASCAR Cup Series debut by transitioning to a full Cup campaign in 2025 at Trackhouse, where he collected a record-setting five road course wins and claimed Rookie of the Year awards.The 19-year-old Connor Zilisch has made three starts in the Cup Series in 2025, scoring a best finish of P11 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.Speaking on what to expect from the young Trackhouse star, Segal said:“I think we should pump the brakes collectively and just realize that Connor is still a very young driver, a very young adult, and he has a lot of learning left to do.”NASCAR insider says he would be surprised if Connor Zilisch wins more road course races than SVGConnor Zilisch won 10 races and the Rookie of the Year honors in the 2025 NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series rookie campaign. He now sits in an elite class of young drivers.Further in the video, Segal said:“I would not be surprised to see Connor win a road course race this year, but I would be surprised to see him win multiple ahead of SVG. I just think the #88 is that good #87 now this year.”Connor Zilisch will drive the #88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet in his rookie campaign in 2026, while Shane van Gisbergen will run behind the wheel of the #97 car.