The future of motorsports looks bright with the arrival of Connor Zilisch in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2026, following his impressive performance in the regular season of the Xfinity Series, where he was crowned champion.
This young pilot, originally from North Carolina, with a height close to six feet and a history that includes his signing as a Red Bull athlete at 18 years old, has demonstrated an innate talent and a captivating personality.
Zilisch, who achieved 10 victories and the regular season championship in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, will compete with the Trackhouse Racing team in the No. 88 Chevrolet, backed by Red Bull and WeatherTech.
I think he’s better than I was at his age, and he seems to be more mature than I was at his age.
Joey Logano
The three-time Cup Series champion, Joey Logano, warns about the need for humility in this new stage, remembering that the competition in the Cup Series is fierce and demands a high level of performance.
Zilisch’s trajectory is reminiscent of other promising drivers like Joey Logano and Kyle Busch, who experienced challenges when moving up to the Cup Series, demonstrating that success in lower categories does not guarantee immediate adaptation.Kyle Busch also warns Zilisch about the harsh reality of the Cup Series, where the competition is relentless and the margin for error is minimal.
Zilisch, with experience since the age of five in karting and participations in various motorsport disciplines, including the FIA Karting Academy Trophy and the 24 Hours of Daytona, acknowledges the magnitude of the challenge he faces in the Cup Series.
Despite his promising future, Zilisch is aware that the path in the Cup Series will be full of challenges, mistakes, and the need to adapt to an unprecedented level of competition.
