The future of motorsports in the NASCAR Cup Series looks bright with the arrival of Connor Zilisch in 2026. After a historic season in the Xfinity Series, where he was crowned regular season champion with ten victories, Zilisch is preparing to make the jump to the top category.
This young driver, originally from North Carolina and barely 1.80 meters tall, has demonstrated exceptional talent from an early age. At 18 years old, he already had the backing of Red Bull, and his charisma and personality captivate everyone. Zilisch has conquered victories in the United States and Europe, breaking records along the way.
Trackhouse Racing, the team that gave him the opportunity in NASCAR in 2024, will provide him with the Chevrolet No. 88, with Red Bull and WeatherTech as main sponsors.
I think he’s better than I was at his age, and he seems more mature than I was at his age.
Joey Logano
Experienced driver Joey Logano, three-time Cup Series champion, warns about the importance of humility and adaptation. Logano, who was also considered a “next big thing” in his early days, emphasizes that the Cup Series is a different challenge, where all competitors are elite.
Kyle Busch’s story also serves as an example. Busch, like Zilisch, came to the Cup Series with high expectations and, although he achieved success, the path was not easy.Busch points out that the jump from the Xfinity Series to the Cup Series is huge, and that young drivers often face a harsh reality. The lack of experience competing against Cup Series drivers before reaching the premier category is a factor that can make adaptation difficult.
Zilisch, with a career that began at the age of 5 in karting, where he won the FIA Karting Academy Trophy, and continued in various motorsport disciplines in the United States and Europe, has proven his worth. His victories in Late Model Stock Cars, the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring, and his debut in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2024, are proof of this.
In his three Cup Series participations in 2025, Zilisch has experienced firsthand the challenge and the time it takes to adapt. He is aware that he will make mistakes, that the margin for error is minimal, and that there will be difficult days.
There are no concessions, whether you’re fighting for victory, for a top 10 finish, or for 32nd place.
Connor Zilisch
The Cup Series is a relentless challenge, where every position is fiercely contested. Zilisch’s path to success in the Cup Series will depend on his ability to adapt and learn.
