Trackhouse Racing has announced that Connor Zilisch will be joining their team as a full-time driver for the NASCAR Cup Series in 2026, following a multiyear agreement unveiled by Justin Marks at Daytona International Speedway. The news marks a significant move for the organization and highlights the rapid rise of Zilisch, strengthening Trackhouse’s ambitions with a youthful talent at the core.
Trackhouse Confirms Multiyear Plan with Young Star
In a press event at Daytona, Justin Marks, Founder and Owner of Trackhouse Racing, spoke about Zilisch becoming the team’s third driver, joining Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen. This decision aligns with the company’s long-term vision of investing in emerging racing talent.
“We’re here to shock the world with an announcement that nobody saw coming. It’s a thrilling moment, humbling, an exciting moment for Trackhouse Entertainment Group to officially announce and welcome Connor Zilisch, who’ll be our third driver next year in a multi-year deal in the NASCAR Cup Series. He’ll join Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen as his teammates. I don’t have to say how special he is and how humbled and excited that we are to have Connor join us at the Cup Series level…I think if we do that, we’ve got a bunch of guys that that can win a lot of races, including Connor in his rookie year. So, Connor Zilisch, welcome, my friend.”
—Justin Marks, Founder and Owner, Trackhouse Racing
Zilisch’s Reaction: A Dream Years in the Making
Connor Zilisch reflected on the journey that led him to this point, acknowledging the sacrifices, support from his family, and those who believed in him early. The transition to the Cup Series, he shared, is a moment he long doubted would ever arrive.
“Thank you. I’m honored to be joined by you two on the stage. You two believed in me before a lot of people did and gave me this opportunity to be sitting here today and have the opportunity to make that jump to the Cup Series…Today is a really, really special day for me. I never thought this day would come, and that it certainly feels good.”
—Connor Zilisch, Driver, Trackhouse Racing
Guided by Mentors and Teams
Eric Warren, Vice President, Global Motorsports Competition for GM Motorsports, recounted Zilisch’s growth and determination since their first meeting, recognizing the foundation of hard work underlying his achievements.
“I look at Connor now, he’s 19, I look at him like he was 14, the first day we talked to him. I specifically remember his father, Jim, and him sitting in with us, and it was just really inspiring to see his commitment, even at that point…He’s got a great head on his shoulders, but it’s honestly the work and the things that people don’t see. It’s not just a talent. He puts in the effort and really, really works at it. That’s really where his success comes from. So super happy for this day and look forward to what we’ll see in the future.”
—Dr. Eric Warren, Vice President, Global Motorsports Competition, GM Motorsports
Zilisch credited Josh Wise and his time in the Chevrolet development program for shaping his professional and personal growth.
“I do have to give a big shout out to Josh Wise. I joined the Chevy program in 2021 or 2022. And in the last three years, I’ve completely changed as a human in life, on the racetrack and off the racetrack. Josh has taught me so much, and I definitely owe a lot to him. So, yeah, very grateful that that. He took the chance to start that that program with Chevrolet and bring in those five young drivers and very fortunate that I was one of those five. That kind of kick-started and led to where I am today.”
—Connor Zilisch, Driver, Trackhouse Racing
The Attributes That Make Zilisch Stand Out
As one of the youngest drivers to take on a full-time Cup Series role at 19, Zilisch’s maturity and adaptability were praised as distinguishing factors. His ability to win across different series, rapid adjustment to new vehicles, and composure in high-stakes moments have been central to his rise.
“I think it’s what everybody sees. It’s the level of maturity, the approach, the ability to deliver in big moments…Connor’s done it. Just every car, he’s gotten in, he’s figured out a way to win. I think another one is the rate of adaptability. This sport won’t wait on somebody to figure things out. It’s such a fast-paced sport. You have to be able to get in a car, understand it right away, find its limits right away, and go deliver right away…All of those things together, he’s demonstrated in a way that I’ve never seen a teenager be able to do it before. So, when you recognize that you’ve got that in a package, you know you have to run with it. And we’ve seen it…So, we wouldn’t be doing this if we didn’t think that he was successful, if we didn’t think that he’d be able to win as a rookie. So, we’re thrilled to be able to have him.”
—Justin Marks, Founder and Owner, Trackhouse Racing
An Emotional Milestone Realized
Although the announcement had been anticipated, Zilisch described the personal significance of making his debut as a Cup Series driver official, emphasizing the fulfillment of a long-held dream.
“It’s cool. I knew the whole world knew already, but still to be able to say it and have my name next to the word Cup Series is really cool. So, I wasn’t going to try and hide from it, but it’s just a day that I’ve been dreaming of for a long time and I’m not going to let that kind of the idea that everybody already knows take away from the moment.”
—Connor Zilisch, Driver, Trackhouse Racing
Building a Championship-Contending Program
Marks shared that program details, including car numbers, would be revealed in the weeks ahead. He highlighted the importance of the support from sponsors Red Bull and WeatherTech, who will anchor Zilisch’s entry. Zilisch echoed this gratitude, pointing to how partnerships with these sponsors made his opportunity possible and enhanced his excitement to be connected to iconic brands in the sport.
“We’ve got some announcements that we’re going to make over the next couple of weeks. Obviously, there are questions around the program people, numbers, kind of all of that, and we’re going to have those moments when we can really celebrate them. But, right now, it’s about Red Bull, WeatherTech and Connor.”
—Justin Marks, Founder and Owner, Trackhouse Racing
“To add to that, Red Bull and WeatherTech this year has been a staple on my car and been such a big part of getting me to this point and making Justin signing me and putting me in the best equipment possible. So, yeah, to the entire WeatherTech family, it certainly means a lot to have their support. And I’ve been a Red Bull athlete for almost a year now, and probably the coolest sponsor. You watch videos of guys jumping from stratosphere and, you watch those YouTube videos as kids and you one day dream of being as cool as them and being a part of that legendary club, of being a Red Bull athlete. I’m really excited to have two of probably some of the coolest sponsors in our sport on my car next year.”
—Connor Zilisch, Driver, Trackhouse Racing
A Relentless Drive from Karting to NASCAR
Zilisch’s journey has been defined by perseverance, launching from go karts into stock cars and seizing every chance to race. He expressed appreciation for mentorship and the guiding presence of his family, recounting how saying yes to opportunities, even under challenging circumstances, proved crucial.
“It started probably 2020, 2021, when I was getting out of go karts and trying to make the jump into racing, full size cars, and my dad basically told me, ‘Look, I can get you to this point, but from here, you’re on your own.’ And it was tough to accept that. There were kids that I watched around me that had parents that could get them to the next level and I kind of had to go out and win races and find my way on my own…I always wanted to just be behind the wheel and get myself in front of more people because you never know who you’re going to meet, and that’s exactly how kind of things went with Justin and I. Someone came to me and asked me if I wanted to race a Trans Am car at VIR, and I said, yes…So, it’s kind of been just who I am since I got out of a go kart, and I’m very glad that I had to work for it and I had to win races to get to the next level, because it makes sitting here today that much sweeter.”
—Connor Zilisch, Driver, Trackhouse Racing
Overcoming Pressure and Maintaining Identity
Zilisch noted the transition to the Cup Series brings added expectations and challenges, but emphasized his determination to retain his approach, focus on his passion for racing, and enjoy the experience regardless of results.
“You get to Sunday and all of a sudden this becomes a job and you’re finishing position determines if you’re going to stay in the sport or not. And obviously that adds pressure and makes things more difficult, and it certainly adds to the fact that this is no longer all about having fun, but that’s what I’m going to try and do my best to keep every Sunday is to make sure that I’m enjoying it and enjoying the ride. This stuff, you can’t travel 38 weeks a year around the country and be miserable and expect to do well…But there’s nothing that can really prepare you for this jump and only time will tell how it affects me. But I’m going to do my best to stand on my ground and stay true to who I am.”
—Connor Zilisch, Driver, Trackhouse Racing
Trackhouse’s Competitive Goals
With a lineup including Zilisch and Shane van Gisbergen, both skilled in road racing, Marks was cautiously optimistic about future road course performances and emphasized the broader aim of building a consistent, championship-quality organization.
“Well, you can never expect to win. I mean, this series is very, very difficult. I would say that when we pull into the racetrack, everybody unloads feeling like they need to beat Trackhouse. I think the goal for us is to continue to invest in this sort of transition I’ve been talking about as a company. So that’s the case, all 38 weeks of the year. I mean, the goal for this business is to be a championship-winning organization, and we’re making a lot of moves internally right now to get ourselves there, because we’re competitors, we’re racers and we want to win every single week…But we want to be able to do it every single week.”
—Justin Marks, Founder and Owner, Trackhouse Racing
The Announcement’s Timing and Meaning
The formal news came at Daytona International Speedway, a venue imbued with meaning for both Marks and the wider NASCAR community. Marks likened the context to previous moments of significance, noting how Daytona remains a fitting stage for such an announcement.
“Well, obviously it takes time to get to get a deal done, right? So, we spent time in kind of getting to a place that we were both happy with. And as far as now, I don’t know if there was any real kind of rhyme or reason to it. It makes sense to do it at Daytona, just because it’s such an important part of the sport. Last year we sat right here in this room on this day and announced that Shane van Gisbergen was going to be joining the team. So, I came through the tunnel here when I was 19 years old for the 24 Hours of Daytona and Daytona’s been a huge part of my life ever since then. It’s been a huge part of, I think, everybody’s life that’s sitting in this room right now. So, it’s great to do it at the World Center of Racing and great to do it right in NASCAR’s backyard.”
—Justin Marks, Founder and Owner, Trackhouse Racing
Long-Term Vision: Zilisch as a Foundation
Marks underscored that Zilisch’s combination of maturity, drive, and potential positions him as a vital part of Trackhouse’s future. He emphasized the importance of surrounding Zilisch with resources, dedicated people, and competitive cars to enable success over the long haul.
“Yeah, I hope so. I think he represents a huge opportunity because of his maturity, because of his talent, and because of the fact that he’s got potential to be a champion in this sport, a multi-time champion in this sport. We have to do our job as a company. I mean, we have to put fast cars on the racetrack, we have to give him and his teammates an opportunity to go fast in the sport. So, I think as long as he stays focused and brings it every single week and we do our job building fast racecars and putting the right people around him, I think we’ll experience success together. I think we both would like for that to last a really, really long time. But it’s a very, very difficult sport. And, right now, Trackhouse is going through, like I said, this sort of transitional period where we’re looking at the company and envisioning kind of what the future looks like because it’s hard to beat Penske and Gibbs and Hendrick. But we want to be the team to do it. So, if we do our job and he does his job, I don’t see why we can’t have a lot of success together for a long time.”
—Justin Marks, Founder and Owner, Trackhouse Racing
Taking Advantage of Opportunity and Support
Throughout the discussion, both Marks and Zilisch cited the importance of delivering in key moments and the role that organizations like Chevrolet and steadfast supporters throughout Zilisch’s journey have played in helping him reach this milestone. The mutual investments made are viewed as paying off, especially with a track record of wins and greater ambitions ahead.
“I think there’s a good lesson in that because one of the things that we talk about is taking advantage of the opportunity, delivering in the big moments. And when you’re in a position where you just you have to just let your talent speak for it, he delivered in that, and we looked at it and said, ‘You know, we’re going to make a commitment here, we’re going to make a financial commitment, we’re going to make an asset commitment.’ Eric Warren and Chevrolet did the same thing. They made a commitment because they just saw that there was something special here, because he just delivered so much. So, it’s great to be in this moment because the investment that we made, the investment that Chevrolet has made, we’ve seen that paid dividends with all the wins this year in Xfinity and we see the opportunity to do the same thing on Sundays.”
—Justin Marks, Founder and Owner, Trackhouse Racing
The Road Ahead for Connor Zilisch and Trackhouse
With Connor Zilisch joining Trackhouse Racing 2026 as a full-time competitor, the organization positions itself for a new chapter marked by youth, determination, and major sponsor support from companies like Red Bull and WeatherTech. Zilisch’s unique path, commitment, and maturity signal promise for immediate results as well as a foundation for lasting impact in the NASCAR Cup Series. The leadership team, including Justin Marks and Dr. Eric Warren, remain focused on nurturing this potential, setting high goals, and aiming to challenge established powers in the sport like Hendrick, Gibbs, and Penske. As Zilisch embarks on this next step, Trackhouse’s investments and vision will be closely watched across the racing world.
