Connor Zilisch to the 2026 NASCAR Cup: Learning to Lose is Key

The future of motorsports looks bright with the arrival of a new star in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2026. Connor Zilisch, after a historic season in the Xfinity Series, where he conquered the regular season championship, is preparing to make the jump to the top category. Hailing from North Carolina, Zilisch, with his innate talent and contagious charisma, has captivated fans and experts alike. At 18 years old, he already had the backing of Red Bull, which speaks to the potential he possesses. His rise has been meteoric, reaping victories in both the United States and Europe, setting new records along the way. Trackhouse Racing, which introduced him to NASCAR in 2024, will give him the opportunity to compete in the Chevrolet No. 88, with the support of Red Bull and WeatherTech.

“I think he’s better than I was at his age, and he seems more mature than I was at his age,” commented Joey Logano, three-time Cup Series champion. “It’s easy, at 18 or 19, to drink the Kool-Aid. He’s a great driver, no doubt. He won a lot of Xfinity races. Cup racing is different. Everyone’s great at this level. Everyone’s fantastic.

Joey Logano

Logano, aware of the challenges of being the “Next Big Thing” in the sport, warns Zilisch about the importance of humility and focus. He shares his own experience, where pressure and expectations can be overwhelming. Kyle Busch, another example of a driver with high expectations, also serves as a case study for Zilisch.

Busch highlights the huge difference between the Xfinity Series and the Cup Series, a jump that many drivers underestimate. Zilisch, who started racing at 5 years old and proved his worth in various disciplines, including karting and endurance racing, will have to adapt to the demands of the top category. In his three Cup Series starts in 2025, Zilisch experienced firsthand the learning curve and the need for time to adapt. Aware that mistakes are inevitable and of the relentless competition, Zilisch prepares to face the challenges.

There are no breaks, whether you’re competing for the win, 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’s no slack like in Xfinity. In Xfinity, you get to the top five and it gets harder, but from tenth place onwards, especially in a car that’s so good, people understand that you’re not going to be able to defend against someone for very long. But in the Cup Series, it’s ruthless.

Connor Zilisch

Zilisch has proven his worth to compete in the Cup Series, but time will tell how quickly he adapts to the high demands of the category. The story of Logano and Busch, with their different trajectories, serve as examples that the path to success can be diverse. Adaptation and learning will be key for Zilisch to reach his full potential in the NASCAR Cup Series.