DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Connor Zilisch, visibly emotional, took a moment to compose himself before wiping away tears, using his shirt as a handkerchief for twenty minutes.The announcement at the Daytona International Speedway was a moment filled with emotion, despite being an open secret in the NASCAR season.Zilisch, a 19-year-old with seven wins in NASCAR’s Xfinity series, was officially confirmed to compete in the Cup in 2026.Trackhouse Racing owner Justin Marks joked that they were there “to surprise the world with an announcement that nobody expected.”Marks revealed that Zilisch signed a multi-year contract to compete full-time with Trackhouse next year. Zilisch will replace Daniel Suárez in a Chevrolet whose number has not yet been announced, joining teammates Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen in Marks’ three-car team.
Zilisch’s parents were both excited as he spoke, and his father later commented that his son “is normally very stoic.”Zilisch competed in karting from a young age, including a stint in Europe at age 11. The driver from Mooresville, North Carolina, turned professional in 2021.Since then, Zilisch has achieved success in every series he has participated in. In the last two years, he won the 2024 Rolex 24 at Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring, in addition to five ARCA races, two poles in the NASCAR Truck Series, and a victory in a CARS Tour late model race.Zilisch has been a Trackhouse development driver for two years. He proved he was ready for the top level of NASCAR by frequently winning with JR Motorsports. He is currently leading the Xfinity series points standings.He has eight wins in 27 Xfinity races. He has achieved 12 consecutive top-five finishes, including a win at Daytona on Friday night after yielding to substitute driver Parker Kligerman.Zilisch started the race less than two weeks after breaking his collarbone in an accident in the victory zone. He was cleared to return to Daytona and started the race. Kligerman stepped in during the event, and Zilisch raced through the field to greet him at the finish line.Zilisch underwent surgery last week to insert a plate in his shoulder to stabilize the broken bone. His foot got caught in the netting of his window at Watkins Glen on August 9, causing him to fall headfirst onto the concrete.Connor is a rare talent that comes along every few decades. I’ve watched Connor grow from a kid racing karts at the Trackhouse Motorplex to a close seat as he beat us all in Trans Am racing a few years ago. He adapted quickly to everything we’ve thrown at him, and what he’s doing with JR Motorsports in Xfinity this season is historic.Marks expects to announce Zilisch’s car number, sponsors, crew chief, and team lineup in the coming weeks.I never thought I would get anywhere in racing. My parents have supported me from day one, in every moment, the good and the bad. There were many times I wondered why I left school, left my friends to commit to the Cup and try to pursue the dream of competing in motorsport.
Connor Zilisch
