TrackHouse Racing crew chief news made headlines when Randall Burnett was named crew chief for Connor Zilisch for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season. The announcement was made by TrackHouse Racing on September 23, 2025, signaling a significant move for both Burnett and the team.
The acquisition was revealed through TrackHouse Racing’s official social media channels, welcoming Burnett as he prepares to take on a pivotal leadership role with the highly anticipated rookie, Connor Zilisch, next year.
“NEWS: Welcome to The House, Randall Burnett!
He joins as @ConnorZilisch’s crew chief for 2026. pic.twitter.com/cbrVi9vcIs
— Trackhouse Racing (@TeamTrackhouse) September 23, 2025”
— Trackhouse Racing, Official Announcement
Connor Zilisch Welcomes Burnett to the Team
Connor Zilisch expressed his excitement about pairing up with Burnett for the upcoming season, openly welcoming his new crew chief after the official announcement.
“Stoked to welcome Randall to the team! Can’t wait for next year,”
— Connor Zilisch, Driver
Burnett’s Track Record of Success in NASCAR
Burnett, a Fenton, Missouri native, has established his reputation as a crew chief with Richard Childress Racing since 2020, guiding the No. 8 Chevrolet. Over his 250 NASCAR Cup Series starts, Burnett achieved six Cup Series victories, 36 top-five results, and 85 top-10 finishes, showcasing his expertise at the highest level of stock car competition.
His experience extends to the NASCAR Xfinity Series, where he notably helped Tyler Reddick claim the 2019 championship as crew chief. Burnett and Reddick celebrated their first Cup Series victory together at Road America in 2022, adding wins at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course and Texas Motor Speedway to complete a three-win season.
After Reddick transitioned to 23XI Racing, Kyle Busch joined Richard Childress Racing to team up with Burnett. Their debut season featured an impressive start, earning victories at Auto Club Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway, and Gateway. Despite this early momentum, the duo has since faced a prolonged winless stretch, with Busch not securing a victory in his last 87 starts—the most extended winless period of his Cup Series career.
With one more season to work with Busch, Burnett aims to close out his time at Richard Childress Racing by returning the team to victory lane before embarking on his new journey with TrackHouse Racing in 2026.
Zilisch’s Rising Stock as a NASCAR Prospect
Connor Zilisch has garnered attention as one of the brightest prospects in the sport, amassing nine NASCAR Xfinity Series wins this season and achieving a remarkable streak of 15 consecutive top-five finishes. Set to contend for Rookie of the Year in his debut Cup Series campaign, Zilisch’s partnership with Burnett is seen as a strategic move by TrackHouse Racing, designed to foster immediate competitiveness and success.
The Road Ahead for TrackHouse Racing
Burnett’s appointment as crew chief for Zilisch combines veteran leadership with emerging talent at TrackHouse Racing. This collaboration signals the team’s commitment to building a formidable lineup for the 2026 season and beyond, aiming to make an impact in both race results and team development. With Burnett’s proven track record and Zilisch’s potential, this pairing could shape the team’s trajectory for years to come in the NASCAR Cup Series.
NEWS: Welcome to The House, Randall Burnett!
He joins as @ConnorZilisch's crew chief for 2026. pic.twitter.com/cbrVi9vcIs
— Trackhouse Racing (@TeamTrackhouse) September 23, 2025
Stoked to welcome Randall to the team! Can’t wait for next year. https://t.co/zJdDlyIIEQ
— Connor Zilisch (@ConnorZilisch) September 23, 2025
