Connor Zilisch: The Rise of NASCAR’s Next Big Thing
As the NASCAR world looks to the future, one name has been on everyone’s lips: Connor Zilisch. The 19-year-old phenom has been making waves in the racing community with his impressive skills behind the wheel and his infectious personality. With a résumé that boasts 10 wins in the Xfinity Series and the regular season championship, Zilisch is set to join the NASCAR Cup Series in 2026, driving the No. 88 Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing.
Zilisch’s journey to the top began at the age of 5, when he started karting. He spent a decade honing his skills, winning the FIA Karting Academy Trophy at 14 and racing in Europe. It was during his time overseas that he caught the attention of NASCAR champion Kevin Harvick, who took him under his wing and introduced him to stock car racing. With Harvick’s guidance, Zilisch began competing in various motorsports disciplines in the United States, including the Mazda MX-5 Cup, sports cars, and stock cars.
A Quick Rise to Fame
Zilisch’s impressive résumé and charismatic personality have drawn comparisons to other young drivers who have made a splash in the NASCAR world. Joey Logano, a three-time Cup Series champion, has spoken highly of Zilisch, saying, “I think he’s better than I was at that age, and he seems to be more mature than I was at that age.” However, Logano also cautioned that the Cup Series is a different beast, and Zilisch will need to stay humble and focused to succeed.
Kyle Busch, a two-time champion, also weighed in on Zilisch’s rise to fame, saying, “Let me preface this first by saying this is no dig at Ty, but look at Ty Gibbs. It’s the same sort of thing: dominating the Xfinity Series, winning with one of the best teams out there, doing everything right and getting results, winning a championship and then getting to the Cup Series and just not understanding the level that it takes at this level to be good or run up front, capitalize, win races and the such.”
The Road Ahead
As Zilisch prepares to take the leap to the Cup Series, he’s aware of the challenges that lie ahead. In his three Cup Series starts in 2025, he got a taste of the competition and the learning curve that comes with it. “There are no breaks given whether you’re racing for the win, a top 10 or 32nd,” Zilisch said. “It doesn’t matter; everyone is there to be in the next-best position and everyone gets paid to finish as good as possible. There is no slack cut like there is in Xfinity.”
Despite the obstacles, Zilisch is confident in his abilities and is ready to put in the work necessary to succeed. With the support of his team, Trackhouse Racing, and his partners, Red Bull and WeatherTech, Zilisch is poised to make a significant impact in the Cup Series. As he navigates the ups and downs of his rookie season, one thing is certain: Connor Zilisch is a name you’ll be hearing a lot more of in the years to come.
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