Connor Zilisch has launched an extraordinary debut in the Xfinity Series, establishing new standards during his rookie NASCAR season despite battling injuries. The North Carolina native’s achievements have surpassed all early expectations, putting his name among the standout drivers of 2024 and making “Connor Zilisch rookie NASCAR season” a prominent topic in motorsport discussions.
Zilisch Surpasses Lofty Goals During Turbulent Year
Facing a challenging situation from the start, Zilisch contended with both a back injury and a broken collarbone but continued to deliver consistent results. His campaign took a hit at Talladega in April following a multi-car crash that left him sidelined for one event, yet he returned for the Charlotte race in May and built unstoppable momentum. Kicking off a remarkable streak, Zilisch finished in the top five in 18 successive races, collecting seven wins in eight events. July was particularly dominant for Zilisch with three straight victories, followed by four more in August.
He encountered another major setback after celebrating a win at Watkins Glen, where he slipped on the car’s window net in victory lane, sustaining a broken collarbone upon hitting the concrete. Nonetheless, these injuries did not dampen his determination or success.
Reflecting on his breakout year, Zilisch recounted,
My crew chief (Mardy Lindley) had me fill out kind of a points and win prediction for the entire season and I had myself winning four races,
– Connor Zilisch, NASCAR Driver.
To walk in here (Martinsville Speedway media center) today (Saturday) with 10 wins, winning the regular season championship, already locked into the Final Four, I certainly have outdone my expectations. It’s been really, really cool to just experience it.
– Connor Zilisch, NASCAR Driver.
Growth On and Off the Track
The season, though far from flawless, provided Zilisch lessons beyond racecraft. Each hurdle contributed to his personal and professional development at JR Motorsports, where he refined his skills as both a driver and a team leader. According to Zilisch,
It hasn’t been perfect by any means, but I certainly have learned through all of it,
– Connor Zilisch, NASCAR Driver.
I’ve become a better driver, and more importantly, I’ve become a better human at JRM (JR Motorsports), just learning how to treat people, how to build a team, how to be a leader.
– Connor Zilisch, NASCAR Driver.
Justin Allgaier, the defending series champion and teammate at JR Motorsports, offered additional insight on Zilisch’s meteoric rise. He revealed that Zilisch had been encouraged throughout the year to extract maximum gains. Allgaier noted,
get all he could get throughout the course of the season.
– Justin Allgaier, Xfinity Series Champion, and continued,
We didn’t expect him to get the entire life’s worth of work into one season, but he’s definitely accomplished all of that,
– Justin Allgaier, Xfinity Series Champion.
Team Changes at Sam Hunt Racing for 2026
Elsewhere in the Xfinity Series, Sam Hunt Racing announced a major expansion, planning to field two full-time cars for the 2026 season. Dean Thompson, who piloted Hunt’s Toyota this year, remains with the program. Harrison Burton will be joining from AM Racing, signaling a return to Toyota after several years driving Fords for Wood Brothers Racing and others. The team’s flexibility and openness to new talent was highlighted by its owner, who mentioned an interest in working with standout Craftsman Truck Series driver Corey Heim again:
We would welcome working with Corey in some capacity next year.
– Sam Hunt, Team Owner.
Burton, no stranger to the Toyota camp thanks to his 2019–2021 Xfinity tenure, shared enthusiastic sentiments about the move, describing it as a homecoming.
It’s very sentimental for me to go back where it started with Toyota, guys like Jack (Irving) and Tyler (Gibbs) who have had my back even when I was racing with Ford,
– Harrison Burton, NASCAR Driver.
Jack Irving serves as the General Manager of Toyota Racing Development (TRD), with Tyler Gibbs, unrelated to team owner Joe Gibbs, as TRD’s President. Hunt explained that the move to two full-time entries was measured, viewing Burton as an ideal fit for the direction and aspirations of the organization.
I’ve always had the fear I’m trying to run too fast too quickly and tripping because I think you see a lot of groups do this in this world,
– Sam Hunt, Team Owner.
I think it’s really easy to do and it’s easy to get ahead of yourself. I felt like Harrison and where he is at in his career it’s just a perfect fit for where we are at and where we want to go. A lot of it is just trusting your gut.
– Sam Hunt, Team Owner.
Toyota Clinches Fourteenth Truck Manufacturers’ Title
In the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Toyota celebrated its fourteenth manufacturers’ championship after a strong year highlighted by victories and high-ranking finishes ahead of the season finale. Led by Corey Heim’s single-season record of 11 wins, alongside triumphs from Gio Ruggiero and Stewart Friesen, the manufacturer’s teams totaled 13 wins, 37 top-five, and 58 top-10 finishes in 2024.
Since joining the Truck Series in 2004, Toyota has amassed 247 wins and 188 poles across 518 races. The organization’s drivers and teams, including those associated with names like Corey Heim and Stewart Friesen, were instrumental in building Toyota’s ongoing legacy of excellence.
The Broader Impact of Zilisch’s Breakout Season
Zilisch’s rookie success story is one of resilience and ambition, inspiring both fans and competitors across the ‘Connor Zilisch rookie NASCAR season.’ Despite facing significant obstacles, his ability to rebound and lead his team has made a powerful statement. With Zilisch locked into the Xfinity Series Final Four, anticipation grows for how far he and JR Motorsports can extend their record-setting campaign. The lessons learned and milestones reached this season may well chart the future of NASCAR’s next generation of stars.
