The next big NASCAR promise is ready to debut in the Cup Series in 2026. Connor Zilisch, after an outstanding season in the Xfinity Series, where he was crowned regular season champion, will make the jump to the top category of American motorsports.
Coming from North Carolina, with a height close to six feet and an impressive resume, Zilisch has attracted attention since he was young, being signed as a Red Bull athlete at 18 years old. His innate talent behind the wheel is complemented by a charismatic and captivating personality.
In record time, he has achieved victories in both the United States and Europe, setting new records along the way. His name, for those who don’t know him yet, is Connor Zilisch, who will drive the No. 88 Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing next year, 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,” commented Joey Logano, three-time Cup Series champion.
Joey LoganoLogano, aware of the pressure that comes with being the “next big thing” in the sport, warns Zilisch about the importance of maintaining humility. Logano, like Kyle Busch, experienced firsthand the challenges of transitioning to the Cup Series, where the level of competition is extremely high.Busch, like Logano, believes that adapting to the Cup Series is an arduous process. He points out that the jump from the Xfinity Series to the Cup Series is significant and that young drivers often underestimate the level of demand.
Zilisch, with experience since the age of 5 in karting, including the triumph in the FIA Karting Academy Trophy, caught the attention of Kevin Harvick, who boosted him in his career. Harvick advised Zilisch and his father not to abandon motorsports for studies.
Zilisch has proven his worth, but adapting to the Cup Series will be a process. In his three Cup Series appearances in 2025, Zilisch has witnessed the demands and lack of margin for error.
There are no concessions, whether you’re fighting for victory, for a top 10 finish, or in 32nd place,” said Zilisch. “It doesn’t matter; everyone is there to be in the best possible position and everyone gets paid to finish as well as possible. There is no flexibility like there is in Xfinity. In Xfinity, you get to the top five and it gets harder, but from tenth back, especially being in such a good car, people understand that you’re not going to be able to hold someone off for long. But in the Cup, it’s ruthless. Those guys race for every position as if it were the last lap of their lives.
Connor Zilisch
Time will tell how Zilisch adapts to the Cup Series. Logano needed time and experience, and Busch was fast from the start. Zilisch’s trajectory is still to be defined.
Zilisch points out that in the Cup Series, the competition is fierce and no one dominates. Learning to lose is part of the process.
