#88: Connor Zilisch, JR Motorsports, Jarrett Chevrolet
Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography

Connor Zilisch Joins Trackhouse Full-Time for 2026 Cup Season

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Connor Zilisch is moving up to the NASCAR Cup Series to race full-time for Trackhouse Racing, the organization announced Saturday (Aug. 23).

Zilisch makes the move to NASCAR’s top series upon completion of his first full-time season in the NASCAR Xfinity Series driving for JR Motorsports.

“This day has been a dream of mine for a long time,” Zilisch stated in a team release. “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.

“I know the challenge that awaits entering the Cup Series as a full-time driver, but I feel that with the support of Trackhouse and Chevrolet, this is the right situation for me. I won’t be making any predictions for success next year. All I promise is to put in 100% effort, learn all that I can, plus have a little bit of fun along the way!”

“Connor is a rare talent that comes along every few decades,ā€ said Trackhouse Racing team owner Justin Marks. ā€œI have watched Connor grow from a kid racing go-karts at the Trackhouse Motorplex to an up-close seat as he beat all of us in the Trans Am races a few years ago. He quickly adapted to everything we have put him in, and what he is doing with JR Motorsports in Xfinity this season is historic.

“Connor is very mature, poised, and I know ready for Cup racing in 2026. He’s been mentored along the way by former racer Josh Wise and Dr. Eric Warren at General Motors. I can speak for everyone at Trackhouse Racing when I say we have a tremendous amount of faith in this young man.ā€

Zilisch’s car number, sponsorship and crew chief will be announced in the coming weeks.

The 19-year-old rookie has run in limited Cup appearances for Trackhouse this season, scoring a best finish of 11th at EchoPark Speedway at Atlanta.

Zilisch, in his rookie season in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, has earned seven victories, 13 top fives and 15 top 10s in 23 races and is currently second behind JR Motorsports teammate Justin Allgaier in the driver standings.

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2 thoughts on “Connor Zilisch Joins Trackhouse Full-Time for 2026 Cup Season”

  1. Will be interesting to see how Cup drivers handle it when he trash talks them for passing him, or how NASCAR handles it when he throws a fit and hooks drivers into the wall. Oh wait, we already know, even drivers like Wallace and Elliot were suspended for this however Zilisch got a pass because his daddy bought his ride and who knows how many NASCAR execs have been paid off.

  2. Irrespective of how he got here, there’s a very real possibility this kid is the next big thing.

    We many finally see someone in the Cup series with the chops to challenge SVG on road courses. Also, as the season has progressed, he’s gone from being mediocre on ovals to often challenging Allgaier, who seems the logical benchmark at JRM, as well as the full Xfinity series.

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