Connor Zilisch is approaching his first full campaign in the NASCAR Cup Series, ready to make a mark after a standout run in Xfinity. The rising star, who will drive the No. 99 Trackhouse Racing car starting in 2026, steps into the top tier as the Connor Zilisch NASCAR Cup Series journey takes its next step.
Transitioning from Xfinity Standout to Cup Series Contender
Connor Zilisch ended his 2025 Xfinity Series season on a high note, capturing 10 victories and consistently finishing near the front, which led Trackhouse Racing to advance him to their Cup program. Daniel Suarez, previously behind the wheel of the No. 99 car, is moving to Spire Motorsports, opening the opportunity for Zilisch. In the coming season, Zilisch will be in the garage alongside Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen.
Last season, Zilisch got a taste of Cup action with three starts for Trackhouse, securing a best finish of eleventh at EchoPark Speedway. Originating from Charlotte, North Carolina, Zilisch is well aware of the steep demands the Cup Series brings after already competing among its ranks, even briefly.
“There are no breaks given whether you’re racing for the win, a top 10 or 32nd,”
Connor Zilisch explained.
“It doesn’t matter; everyone is there to be in the next-best position and everyone gets paid to finish as good as possible.”
— Connor Zilisch, Driver
“There is no slack cut like there is in Xfinity. In Cup, it’s just ruthless. Those guys race for every spot like it’s the last lap of their lives,”
he added. — Connor Zilisch, Driver
Across 32 Xfinity starts, Zilisch tallied 20 top-five and 23 top-10 finishes, placing second only to Jesse Love, the 2025 Xfinity Series champion, in the final standings.
Veteran Perspective and Encouragement for Zilisch
As Zilisch prepares for his rookie Cup year, veteran Joey Logano, a three-time series champion, weighed in with both encouragement and caution. Logano knows firsthand what it’s like to debut young, having done so at 18—the same age Zilisch steps into the limelight.
“I think he’s better than I was at that age, and he seems to be more mature than I was at that age.”
— Joey Logano, NASCAR Cup Series Champion
In further remarks, Logano acknowledged Zilisch’s skill behind the wheel and frequent wins in Xfinity but emphasized the elevated caliber of competition in the Cup Series.
“He’s a great driver, no doubt. He won a lot of Xfinity races. Cup racing is different. Everybody is great at this level. Everybody is fantastic.”
— Joey Logano, NASCAR Cup Series Champion
“As good as I think he is and will be, I also think he has to stay humble throughout it all and remember what’s important,”
he added. — Joey Logano, NASCAR Cup Series Champion
Zilisch, despite the challenge ahead, expressed readiness for this next stage. In an earlier conversation, he said,
“Cup racing has been the goal since joining with Chevrolet and Trackhouse, and while I didn’t know it would come this soon, I feel like I’m ready.”
— Connor Zilisch, Driver
Anticipation Builds for the 2026 Season
Connor Zilisch’s first major test as a Cup Series regular comes with the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on February 1. While this exhibition won’t impact the official standings, it serves as an early opportunity to measure his performance against the field, which includes not just teammates Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen but veterans across the grid. The real points battle commences with the Daytona 500 the following weekend.
The motorsports community in North Carolina and beyond will be watching closely as Trackhouse Racing’s newest driver takes on the top echelon. Zilisch, who has proven himself as a racing phenom in the lower ranks, faces a demanding road ahead but does so with optimism and support from both his new colleagues and seasoned veterans like Logano. His rookie season will be a measure not only of his driving talent, but of his ability to adapt to the highest intensity in the sport.
