Trackhouse Racing team owner Justin Marks has drawn parallels between Connor Zilisch’s upcoming rookie year and Ross Chastain’s initial challenges in the Ross Chastain NASCAR Cup Series, as Zilisch prepares for a full season debut at Daytona next month. Marks emphasized that Zilisch, the youngest addition to the team at just 19, will need to quickly adapt to the aggressive racing and veteran strategies that define NASCAR’s premier level.
Zilisch recently earned a multi-year contract with Trackhouse Racing following his breakout performances in the O’Reilly series last season. Marks discussed Zilisch’s step up to the Cup Series during a conversation on the Racers Unchained podcast with Paul Tracy, highlighting the intensity awaiting new entrants.
“I think when he gets there on the race track with the veterans they’re certainly gonna use all their tricks and all their tools and he’s gonna have to learn from them,” Justin Marks said (24:50 onwards).
“Look what ross went through when he came in 2022 and they just were running him over and he was trying to figure out how to do that song and dance and he got himself into trouble a couple times and he got his craft really refined and now. He’s much more polished race car driver. Yeah, Connor will go through that for sure,” he added.
Reflecting on Ross Chastain’s Early Cup Series Journey
Ross Chastain’s experience with Trackhouse Racing highlights the demanding transition that awaits Zilisch. Chastain joined Trackhouse in 2022 and made an immediate impact by winning at Circuit of The Americas and later Talladega, advancing to the Championship 4 in his first year with the team. However, Chastain’s path was far from smooth, as he faced multiple on-track incidents that tested his composure and reputation among his peers.
Chastain’s dramatic win at Circuit of The Americas involved a late-race crash with AJ Allmendinger, resulting in frustration for Allmendinger and setting the tone for a season filled with intense competition. Conflicts with top competitors like Chase Elliott and Denny Hamlin marked his rookie campaign, forcing Chastain to quickly evolve as a driver. His early hurdles are now seen as valuable experience, shaping him into one of the most skilled racers on the roster.
Zilisch’s Standout Xfinity Season Prior to Cup Move
Before his promotion, Connor Zilisch delivered a memorable rookie season in the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series with JR Motorsports. Piloting the No. 88 car, the teenager dominated by capturing ten victories, which included an impressive streak of four consecutive wins after securing the regular season championship. Despite these achievements, Zilisch narrowly missed the ultimate prize, finishing third at Phoenix Raceway and runner-up in the overall standings behind Jesse Love.
Marks praised Zilisch’s talent and composure at such a young age, but reminded the racing community that youth remains a factor even for top-tier prospects.
“It’s just going to take work because for as mature as he is and how talented he is he is, he still is a 19-year-old kid and you’re all 19 year old at once and and life’s very different than than where you and I are right now,” Marks said (34:00).
What Awaits Zilisch in His NASCAR Cup Series Debut
Zilisch’s rookie year will coincide with a changed championship format in NASCAR, one that now emphasizes consistency over a single-race finale, potentially offering him more opportunities to prove himself week after week. His debut will place him alongside seasoned drivers like Ross Chastain and new teammates such as Shane van Gisbergen. With renewed backing from Red Bull, Trackhouse Racing aims to nurture its young contenders while competing for wins in the sport’s top tier.
As Zilisch faces a similar learning curve to what Chastain overcame, the team and its fans will be watching closely to see how he manages the pressure and masters the complexities of racing in the Ross Chastain NASCAR Cup Series. His journey stands as a testament to the enduring demand for both skill and resilience as new drivers transition to the highest level of competitive stock car racing.
