Connor Zilisch will attempt to make his second NASCAR Cup Series start in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Trackhouse Racing announced April 3.
The 18-year-old will again pilot the No. 87 Red Bull Chevrolet, which he drove in his series debut at Circuit of the Americas.
“It’s awesome to have the opportunity to race in one of NASCAR’s coolest events,” Zilisch said in a release. “The Charlotte 600 is one of the most prestigious races in NASCAR. It’s going to be a physical and mental challenge because that race is so tough. I’m very appreciative for Justin (Marks, Trackhouse owner) and everyone at Red Bull for their support and turning this opportunity into a reality.”
Zilisch currently races full time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for JR Motorsports. He picked up his first Xfinity win of the year at Circuit of the Americas on March 1, before making his Cup debut for Trackhouse, finishing 37th.
He has one top five and two top 10s in 2025 in the Xfinity Series.
Zilisch will have to qualify his way into the field at Charlotte as an open car if the race has more than 40 entries.
Jake Altmayer joined the Frontstretch team in 2025, assisting as a news writer and contributing to other weekly columns and articles, such as Friday Faceoff and Xfinity Breakdown. A 2024 graduate of DePaul University, Altmayer has closely followed NASCAR's national series (Cup, Xfinity and Trucks) for nearly a decade and has attended more than a dozen races over the course of that time. In his free time, he enjoys cycling, spending time with his loved ones, and listening to his favorite band, the Beach Boys.