Trackhouse Racing signs Connor Zilisch as their new full-time driver for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series, marking a pivotal moment for both the team and the rapidly rising young racer. The announcement follows a mutual decision for Daniel Suárez to part ways with the organization at the close of this season, leaving a prominent seat open beside Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen.
Zilisch Steps into the Spotlight at Trackhouse Racing
Connor Zilisch’s promotion comes after serving in the Trackhouse driver development program since January 2024. The 19-year-old’s time in lower series has been impressive; he claimed victory eight times in just 27 NASCAR Xfinity Series starts with JR Motorsports. Recent weeks have seen Zilisch dominate, winning five of the last six Xfinity events. Among those, his victory at Indianapolis Motor Speedway clinched JR Motorsports’ 100th win, while another win was secured with Parker Kligerman taking over following a planned driver change at Daytona International Speedway due to Zilisch’s recent injury.
Currently, Zilisch is second in the Xfinity Series standings, trailing only his teammate Justin Allgaier by three points as the regular season nears its conclusion. Despite recovering from a broken collarbone suffered during a fall in Victory Lane at Watkins Glen, Zilisch started the Daytona race before handing the car to Kligerman after Lap 13.
Racing Journey from Karting to National Attention
Zilisch’s path to NASCAR Cup competition has been built on success at every level of motorsport. His racing resume includes achievements in karting, the Mazda MX-5 Cup, and Trans-Am, along with a win in his debut Rolex 24 at Daytona appearance in the LMP2 class. In his transition to stock cars, Zilisch added victories in the CARS Tour late model and ARCA Menards Series, setting the stage for his NASCAR national series launch in 2023.
His 2024 season included select starts in both the Xfinity and Craftsman Truck Series, where he notched pole positions and claimed a win in his Xfinity debut at Watkins Glen International the previous September. Zilisch’s road course expertise has paid off with victories at Circuit of The Americas, Sonoma Raceway, and Watkins Glen, while he has also quickly adapted to ovals, winning back-to-back events at Pocono, Dover, and Indianapolis.
Endorsements and Comparisons from NASCAR Icons
The buzz around Zilisch intensified after his win at the Brickyard, where JR Motorsports co-owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. offered high praise for the emerging talent. Earnhardt Jr. compared Zilisch’s rapid ascent to legendary Cup champions Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson, highlighting his maturity and potential for greatness:
“I mean, the only thing I think it’s close to is probably Jeff Gordon or Jimmie Johnson,”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., JR Motorsports co-owner
“So he might be even more of a comet … he might be even more rare than that, because I don’t know, man, if you all get a chance to spend time around him, you’ll realize how mature he is, and I think there’s probably a lot of parents in the room that would be amazed at his level of maturity.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., JR Motorsports co-owner
Reflecting on these words, Zilisch acknowledged the weight of such comparisons yet remains focused on his development and future aspirations:
“It’s going to be an incredible journey,”
—Connor Zilisch, NASCAR driver
“You know, I’m so excited for the next 10, 15, 20 years, hopefully in this world of NASCAR racing. I’ve enjoyed my time so far, but I really do hope there’s a long, long journey left ahead of me. I really am having a lot of fun.”
—Connor Zilisch, NASCAR driver
A Promising Era Begins for Trackhouse and Zilisch
Trackhouse Racing’s decision to bring in Connor Zilisch signifies confidence in the teenager’s racing prowess and adaptability, qualities highlighted by his string of successes across various circuits and formats. With proven skill on both road courses and ovals, Zilisch will join forces with veteran teammates Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen for the 2026 NASCAR Cup campaign, fueling high expectations for the team’s future.
This move sets up Trackhouse to remain competitive and dynamic in the years ahead, while Zilisch’s rapid rise and versatility mark him as one to watch as he embarks on the next, most high-profile stage of his career in stock car racing.
