The future of motorsports looks bright with the arrival of Connor Zilisch in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2026, following his outstanding season in the Xfinity Series, where he was crowned regular season champion.
Coming from North Carolina, this young man, under six feet tall and with an impressive resume, was signed by Red Bull at 18 years old. His innate talent is complemented by a contagious smile and a captivating personality. In the blink of an eye, he has conquered victories in the United States and Europe, breaking records along the way.
Trackhouse Racing, which introduced Zilisch to NASCAR in 2024, will put him behind the wheel of the No. 88 Chevrolet next year, with Red Bull and WeatherTech as his main sponsors.
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
Logano, three-time Cup Series champion, highlights the importance of humility for Zilisch, reminding him that success in the Cup Series is different. The competition is fierce and every driver is high-level.
Zilisch’s path to the top is reminiscent of other talents like Joey Logano and Kyle Busch, who also faced high expectations upon entering the Cup Series. Logano, nicknamed “Slice Bread”, and Busch, with an early debut, experienced the challenge of adapting to the intense competition.Kyle Busch warns Zilisch about the harsh reality that awaits him, pointing out the transition from the Xfinity Series to the Cup Series as a considerable leap. Adaptability and understanding the level of demand are crucial for success.
Zilisch, with experience since the age of 5 and a champion in karting, including the FIA Karting Academy Trophy, has demonstrated his worth in various disciplines. His experience in endurance races, such as the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring, and his debut in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2024, have solidified his reputation.
In his three Cup Series starts in 2025, Zilisch experienced the learning curve and the time needed to adapt. He acknowledges that mistakes are inevitable and that the competition is relentless.
No quarter is given, whether you’re fighting for the win, for a top 10 finish, or for 32nd place.
Connor Zilisch
Zilisch, aware of the magnitude of the challenge, will have to demonstrate his ability to excel in the Cup Series. Time will tell if he manages to emulate Logano’s success or if he follows Busch’s path, but his talent and determination are undeniable.
