Zilisch Going Cup Racing In 2026 With Trackhouse

Connor Zilisch (center) is going fulltime NASCAR Cup Series racing next year with Trackhouse Racing. (Jacob Seelman photo)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – A big weekend for Connor Zilisch at Daytona Int’l Speedway got even bigger Saturday afternoon.

Fresh off his Friday night NASCAR Xfinity Series victory – aided by the stellar relief drive of Parker Kligerman for the majority of the race – Zilisch was confirmed as Trackhouse Racing’s newest full-time NASCAR Cup Series driver for the 2026 season.

Zilisch will succeed the outgoing Daniel Suarez at the Justin Marks-owned organization, beginning his quest for Sunoco rookie-of-the-year honors in the Cup Series with the 68th Daytona 500 on Feb. 15.

"This day has been a dream of mine for a long time," said Zilisch, who has been a Trackhouse development driver since 2024 and currently races in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for JR Motorsports, where he leads the Xfinity Series with seven race wins.

“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,” Zilisch said. “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 percent effort, learn all that I can, plus have a little bit of fun along the way!”

The 19-year-old prodigy has rocked the stock car world ever since winning the pole position for both his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series debuts in 2024.

He went on to win that Xfinity Series race at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) Int’l last September, and has since added those aforementioned seven victories this year to put himself firmly in the conversation as a potential championship favorite come playoff time next month.

Despite breaking his collarbone in a scary victory lane fall following his successful defense of his Watkins Glen Xfinity win two weeks ago, Zilisch returned to Daytona after surgery to pin-and-plate the clavicle and sits just three points behind JRM teammate Justin Allgaier for the regular-season title.

In addition to all that success, Zilisch has won the Rolex 24 at Daytona, the 12 Hours of Sebring, five ARCA Menards Series races, and a CARS Late Model Stock Tour race all in the past 19 months.

Zilisch has made three Cup Series starts this season, and though he only has an average finish of 23.7 in that trio of races, Marks said that the talented teenager’s “immense potential” is evident to him.

“Connor is a rare talent that comes along every few decades,” said Marks. “I 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.”

Warren, the Vice President of Global Motorsports Competition for GM, has been a mentor of and believer in Zilisch since the beginning of his professional journey and predicts the young prodigy will be able to succeed for a long time at stock-car racing’s highest level.

“We are excited for Connor to get the opportunity to compete full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2026," said Warren. “What Connor has been able to accomplish in NASCAR over the last year has been remarkable. He has the drive and commitment to put in the work on and off the racetrack, and we look forward to seeing his continued success in NASCAR's top division.”

Zilisch’s car number, full sponsor lineup, crew chief, and additional personnel will be announced in the coming weeks. However, Marks confirmed Saturday that Red Bull and WeatherTech will be “anchor partners” for Zilisch’s rookie campaign at the Cup Series level.

Broadcast coverage of Zilisch’s first Daytona 500 airs next February on FOX, the Motor Racing Network, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90.