The future of motorsports looks bright with the arrival of Connor Zilisch to the NASCAR Cup Series in 2026. After a historic season in the Xfinity Series, where he conquered the regular season championship with ten victories, Zilisch prepares to make the jump to the top category.
This young driver, originally from North Carolina and barely six feet tall, has demonstrated exceptional talent from an early age. His career includes victories in various competitions in the United States and Europe, which earned him a contract with Red Bull at the age of 18.
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
Trackhouse Racing, the team that opened the doors to NASCAR in 2024, will be in charge of taking Zilisch in the Chevrolet number 88, with the support of Red Bull and WeatherTech. The road to the top will not be easy, as figures like Joey Logano and Kyle Busch know well, who also experienced the transition to the Cup Series with high expectations.Busch warns Zilisch about the challenges he will face, highlighting the intense competition and the need to adapt quickly to the demanding level of the Cup Series. The transition from the Xfinity Series to the Cup Series represents a significant leap, where every position is fiercely contested.
Zilisch, who started competing at the age of five and spent a decade in karting, has an impressive track record of victories in various categories. His time in Europe caught the attention of Kevin Harvick, who guided him and conveyed the importance of persevering in the world of motorsport.
In his three Cup Series races in 2025, Zilisch experienced firsthand the learning curve and the time needed to adapt. Aware that mistakes are inevitable and that each race is a battle, the young driver prepares to face the challenge of the Cup Series with humility and determination.
Zilisch’s experience in the Cup Series has shown him that the level of demand is relentless, where each driver competes at their maximum for each position. Adapting to the Cup Series represents a significant challenge, where experience and constant learning will be key to his success.
