In recent Connor Zilisch NASCAR news, JR Motorsports designer Ryan Williams was awarded Designer of the Year at the Grand National Bash Awards, recognizing his remarkable creative influence on the 2025 NASCAR season. The announcement drew a warm social media response from Jim Zilisch, Connor’s father, who praised Williams’ efforts in crafting standout visuals for the team.
Williams’ recognized achievement highlights the evolving importance of design work within modern NASCAR teams, where visual identity not only supports sponsor goals but also strengthens a team’s connection with fans. As creative director at Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s JR Motorsports, Williams oversees everything from race car liveries to team merchandise, helping the squad stand out in a crowded racing landscape. His graphics have become a signature part of JRM’s identity throughout the 2025 season, supporting stars like the young Connor Zilisch.
Reacting to Williams’ success, Jim Zilisch used social media to applaud the designer’s creativity and dedication over the past year:
“Great job all year. Loved the KOA car (and all the rest….)”
— Jim, Connor Zilisch’s father
This public congratulation from a respected racing figure signals the impact Williams’ work has had, not just internally at JR Motorsports but across the NASCAR community. Williams’ careful attention to livery design and his collaborative spirit have played a role in making JRM’s cars instantly recognizable on and off the racetrack, contributing to their marketing and on-track brand visibility.
JR Motorsports and Connor Zilisch’s Breakout Season
For JR Motorsports, 2025 was a season of remarkable achievements. As part of the team’s roster, 19-year-old Connor Zilisch delivered an impressive rookie campaign in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, finishing as the season’s runner-up behind champion Jesse Love. Behind the wheel of the #88 Chevy, Zilisch racked up 10 wins—most in the series—along with eight pole positions, 20 finishes inside the top five, and 23 top-ten results. Zilisch ended the 32-race campaign with an average finish of 8.0, marking him as one of the most promising young talents on the grid. Both his results and Williams’ design flair combined to keep JRM in the NASCAR spotlight all year.
Looking Ahead: Zilisch Joins the Cup Series in 2026
Building on his outstanding rookie results, Zilisch will graduate to NASCAR’s premier series for the 2026 campaign, joining Trackhouse Racing alongside experienced rivals Shane van Gisbergen and Ross Chastain. NASCAR observers are already anticipating intense road course rivalries in the upcoming season, with the prospect of showdowns between Zilisch and van Gisbergen, who has established himself as a specialist on these technical circuits.
NASCAR analyst David Sehgal recently weighed in on whether Zilisch’s talent on road courses could rival that of van Gisbergen, specifically with Trackhouse Racing’s Cup Series program. Sehgal commented:
“I think Connor is really, really close, if not banging quarter panels with Shane, in terms of a pure talent level in terms of road course racing. The thing is Shane now has bit of an advantage on Connor in terms of seat time in this Gen 7 car with Trackhouse Racing in the Cup Series. I’m not saying that Connor has got a lot of way to go to catch up to Shane, but Shane does have a little bit on Connor.”
— David Sehgal, NASCAR Insider
Zilisch will make his high-profile debut at the Daytona 500 on February 15, 2026, driving the #88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet and aiming to prove himself against established names in the sport. As anticipation builds for this next step in his career, the blend of fresh energy from drivers like Zilisch, expert insights from figures such as Sehgal, and the behind-the-scenes artistry of designers like Williams all contribute to a new chapter for NASCAR fans to watch closely.
With memorable liveries, rising young stars, and escalating competition, the 2026 NASCAR season is primed for exciting storylines, continuing the momentum built by JR Motorsports and Connor Zilisch over the past year.
