Connor Zilisch, a rising star from JR Motorsports, has secured the prestigious 2025 Richard Petty Driver of the Year title after an outstanding season in the stock car racing arena. This accolade was granted by the National Motorsports Press Association, recognizing Zilisch’s exceptional achievements and solidifying his stature as a prominent figure in NASCAR’s competitive landscape.
Zilisch Triumphs Over Elite Field in Close Voting
The Richard Petty Driver of the Year honor, featuring the focus keyword, was awarded to Zilisch following a highly competitive selection process. The 19-year-old driver surpassed elite contenders including NTT IndyCar champion Alex Palou, seasoned Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin, Truck Series titleholder Corey Heim, Formula One’s Lando Norris, NHRA standout Austin Prock, Top Fuel competitor Brittany Force, and High Limit Racing champion Rico Abreu. In the final balloting session, Zilisch edged Palou by a single vote and finished two votes ahead of Hamlin, highlighting the intensity of the contest.
The National Motorsports Press Association highlighted Zilisch’s outstanding record, which included ten race victories and an extraordinary run of 18 consecutive top-five finishes—an exceptional feat in a season packed with talented competitors. The official NMPA X page celebrated the achievement:
“2025 @JRMotorsports driver @ConnorZilisch was voted as the 2025 Richard Petty Driver of the Year by the NMPA Membership. Zilisch is the second consecutive year that a Xfinity (now O’Reilly Auto Parts) Series driver has received the award.”
JR Motorsports quickly extended their congratulations to Zilisch for this historic moment:
“Congratulations @ConnorZilisch”
Award Reflects JRM’s Continued Excellence and Record-Breaking Performance
Connor Zilisch is now the second driver from JR Motorsports to earn this prestigious honor, following in the footsteps of teammate Justin Allgaier, who claimed the award after his own triumph in 2024. Zilisch’s latest success marks another high point for the North Carolina-based organization. Having graduated from his Xfinity Series exploits, Zilisch is set to take the wheel of the #88 Chevy Camaro ZL1 for Trackhouse Racing in the Cup Series, stepping up to NASCAR’s highest level.
Zilisch Surpasses Four-Decade Xfinity Record During Breakout Rookie Season
During his first full-time season in the Xfinity Series, Zilisch shattered a benchmark that had stood for 41 years. NASCAR legend Sam Ard set the previous record with 15 consecutive top-five finishes in a single season, but Zilisch broke through that barrier with a remarkable streak that began to gain traction after a notable second-place finish at Kansas Speedway. This result marked his 16th consecutive top-five, with the streak continuing through to an unprecedented tally of 18.
Reflecting on his achievement, NASCAR’s official channel stated:
“Connor Zilisch has now scored a top five in 16 CONSECUTIVE NASCAR Xfinity Series races, surpassing Sam Ard’s 41 year old record to be the longest in Series history.”
Next Steps: Cup Series Promotion and New Partnerships
Zilisch’s trajectory shows no signs of slowing. Following his record-breaking run, Trackhouse Racing signed Zilisch to replace Daniel Suarez for the 2026 season, aligning him as a teammate with Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen in NASCAR’s premier series. Ahead of the iconic Daytona 500, Zilisch and van Gisbergen also secured high-profile backing through a sponsorship deal with energy drink giant Red Bull, boosting anticipation for their Cup Series campaign.
The recognition as Richard Petty Driver of the Year places Connor Zilisch among an elite group in racing history. As he takes the next step in his career, the motorsports world will closely watch how he and his new team fare against the strongest fields in stock car racing while carrying forward the legacy set by his predecessors at JR Motorsports.
Congratulations @ConnorZilisch 💪 https://t.co/s0vSQxKztv
— JR Motorsports (@JRMotorsports) February 7, 2026
