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 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, has demonstrated exceptional talent since his beginnings. At 18 years old, he already had the backing of Red Bull, a testament to his skill and potential. His charisma and captivating personality have made him a beloved figure by the fans.
Trackhouse Racing, the team that gave him the opportunity in NASCAR in 2024, will be in charge of putting Zilisch behind the wheel of the No. 88 Chevrolet, with the support of 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
Experienced driver Joey Logano, three-time Cup Series champion, warns about the challenges Zilisch will face. Logano emphasizes the importance of humility and constant learning, remembering that the competition in the Cup Series is fierce.
Zilisch is not the u00fanico who has called the attention. Other drivers like Kyle Busch also experienced the move to the Cup Series with high expectations.In 2025, Zilisch demonstrated in his three races in the Cup Series that the learning curve is steep. The driver is aware that mistakes are inevitable and that the margin for error is minimal.
Zilisch began his career in karting at the age of 5, achieving victories and international recognition. His time in Europe caught the attention of NASCAR champion Kevin Harvick, who guided him and conveyed the importance of persevering in his career.
The young driver has won races in various categories, including the Mazda MX-5 Cup, sports cars, and the NASCAR Xfinity Series. In the Cup Series, Zilisch eagerly awaits the start of his journey.
