Why Connor Zilisch is entering 2026 as the most anticipated rookie in NASCAR

NASCAR prodigy Connor Zilisch has built hype around himself in both the Xfinity and Cup Series. Following that, Zilisch will be entering the top-tier stock car racing series as the most anticipated rookie in the 2026 season with Trackhouse Racing.

The 19-year-old driver debuted in the Xfinity Series in 2024 with Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s co-owned team, JR Motorsports. Zilisch clinched his maiden victory on his debut race at Watkins Glen, surprising everyone. He then ran three more races and secured two top-five finishes and one P12 finish.

Connor Zilisch’s 2025 Xfinity Series season’s performance played a crucial role in his move to the Cup Series. He amassed ten victories, 23 top tens, 20 top fives, and eight pole positions in 32 starts in the 2025 season. He led 1013 laps while maintaining an average start of 6.844.

Reflecting on that, JR Motorsports hired Zilisch as a full-time driver in the 2025 season for the #88 Chevy. Also, he competed part-time for Trackhouse Racing in the Cup Series, driving the #87 Chevy Camaro ZL1. He competed in three races for the team and clinched P11, his career-best finish at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Following that, in July 2025, Trackhouse Racing announced Daniel Suarez’s departure ahead of the upcoming season. Later, the team announced that Connor Zilisch would replace Suarez in the next season. The young talent will compete full-time in the 2026 Cup Series season.

The North Carolina native will pilot the #88 Chevy Camaro ZL1 in his full-time rookie season along with Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen. Additionally, both Zilisch and Gisbergen will be sponsored by Red Bull in the 2026 Cup Series for 25 races.

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Connor Zilisch broke a decades-long NASCAR record in his rookie season with JR Motorsports

JR Motorsports driver Connor Zilisch broke Sam Ard’s 41-year-old record in the 2025 season at Kansas Speedway. The NASCAR legend set the record of 15 consecutive top-five finishes in a season. However, Zilisch broke Ard’s record in his rookie season piloting the #88 Chevy.

The NASCAR Xfinity Series driver was on a 15-race streak of finishing among the top five drivers before he stepped foot at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Despite not winning the event, the young talent posted a second-place finish, breaking Ard’s record of 15 consecutive finishes with his 16th consecutive finish.

Reflecting on Connor Zilisch achieving a new feat, NASCAR’s official insight page wrote:

"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."

Despite competing full-time in the 2026 Cup Series season with Trackhouse Racing, Zilisch will also drive for JR Motorsports in the 2026 NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series. He will drive the #1 Chevy alongside Carson Kvapil under Rodney Childers’ guidance.