The young driver Connor Zilisch, 19, who has demonstrated his skill with seven victories in NASCAR’s Xfinity series this season, will move up to the Cup category in 2026.Justin Marks, owner of Trackhouse Racing, announced on Saturday that Zilisch has signed a multi-year contract to compete full-time in the Cup Series next year. Zilisch will take Daniel Suárez’s place in a Chevrolet yet to be numbered and will join teammates Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen in Marks’ three-car team.
Zilisch, Trackhouse development driver since 2024 and points leader in the Xfinity series while racing for JR Motorsports, expressed his enthusiasm.This day has been a dream for me for a long time.
Connor Zilisch
Zilisch started karting as a child, even participating in Europe at age 11. The Mooresville, North Carolina native 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 race.His performance has been even better in the Xfinity series, with eight wins in 23 races. Zilisch has achieved 12 consecutive top-five finishes, including a win at Daytona International Speedway on Friday night after yielding to substitute driver Parker Kligerman.Zilisch started the race less than two weeks after breaking his collarbone during an accident in the victory zone. He was cleared to return at Daytona and started the race. Kligerman intervened during the event, and Zilisch ran across the grass to greet him at the finish line.Zilisch underwent surgery last week to insert a plate in his shoulder and 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.Cup races have been the goal since I joined Chevrolet and Trackhouse, and although I didn’t know it would come so soon, I feel ready. I won’t make predictions about success next year. The only thing I promise is to give 100 percent effort, learn everything I can, and have some fun along the way.
Connor Zilisch
Marks expects to announce Zilisch’s car number, sponsorship, crew chief, and crew lineup in the coming weeks.Trackhouse Racing, which began competing in 2021 as a single-car team, has expanded twice and now has 13 wins.Connor is a rare talent that comes along every few decades. I’ve watched Connor grow from a kid running karts at the Trackhouse Motorplex to a close seat when he beat us all in the Trans Am races 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.
Justin Marks
