Connor Zilisch, one of the hottest young race car drivers in America, will showcase his talents full time in the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series driving the No. 88 Chevrolet for the perennial championship-contending JR Motorsports organization.
The 18-year-old Trackhouse Racing development driver stormed onto the racing scene in 2024 compiling an impressive resume that includes victories at the Rolex 24 in Daytona, the Twelve Hours of Sebring, four ARCA races and a CARS Tour event.
Zilisch set a new track record in his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut at the Circuit of the America’s in Austin, Texas in March winning the pole by seven-tenths of a second and finishing fourth in the race after driving from the back of the field.
“This is an amazing moment for me and all the people who have helped me get to this place in my career,” said Zilisch who became eligible to race in the Xfinity Series when he turned 18 on July 22.
He joins an organization at JR Motorsports that has launched the careers of NASCAR stars like William Byron, Chase Elliott, Brad Keselowski, Tyler Reddick and others.
“With so much support from Chevrolet and a chance to race in trucks and ARCA with Silver Hare Racing, I was able to sign with Trackhouse Racing and they went to work to secure an incredible opportunity for me. I am so grateful and can’t wait to show their trust in me is warranted. It is mind-blowing to think that I will drive for JR Motorsports and Dale Earnhardt, Jr., who is one of my heroes. I’m ready to put in the work.”
The fresh-faced Zilisch owns boy-next-door good looks, a bright smile, and impeccable manners that hide a ruthless competitor who honed his skills on the road courses of Europe and the short tracks of America before joining Trackhouse Racing as a development driver in January.
It’s been a whirlwind year for the Mooresville, North Carolina resident who won in the LMP2 class at the 12 Hours of Sebring in March after winning the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway in February.
He followed up those victories with four wins in the ARCA Series: Dover (Del.) Speedway in April, Flat Rock (Mich.) Speedway in May, Iowa Speedway in June and Indianapolis Raceway Park in July. He’s also won a CARS Tour race at Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway in April.
“Connor is such an impressive driver at this young age,” said Earnhardt Jr. “We’re excited for him to get behind the wheel full-time next season. He is on a path to sure success with support from Chevrolet, Trackhouse Racing, and now JR Motorsports.”
Zilisch is already getting a head start on the 2025 Xfinity season. He will drive the No. 88 for JR Motorsports in a four-race deal this season. His schedule kicks off at Watkins Glen International (Sept. 14) and includes races at Kansas Speedway (Sept. 28), Homestead-Miami Speedway (Oct. 26) and Phoenix Raceway (Nov .9).
Trackhouse founder and owner Justin Marks said pairing Zilisch with JR Motorsports is intentional.
“We couldn’t be more excited to begin this relationship with JR Motorsports and know that Connor is in good hands as we work together to continue Connor’s development,” said Marks who added a sponsorship announcement will come later in the year.
“Connor has a bright future in this sport and we plan to be together for a long time. JR Motorsports is the perfect partner for Trackhouse and Connor.”
ABOUT JR MOTORSPORTS:
JR Motorsports is the racing operation co-owned by NASCAR Hall of Fame member and 15-time Most Popular Driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kelley Earnhardt Miller and NASCAR Hall of Famer Rick Hendrick. Now in its 23rd year of overall competition, JR Motorsports competes in multiple divisions, including the NASCAR Xfinity Series where it currently fields four full-time teams and earned championships in 2014, 2017 and 2018. The company also owns seven titles in regional Late Model divisions with consecutive championships in 2022-23 and a prized national title in 2020. To learn more about the organization, its drivers and its sponsorship opportunities, visit www.jrmracing.com.
ABOUT TRACKHOUSE RACING:
After retiring from a driving career in NASCAR and sports cars, Justin Marks formed Trackhouse Entertainment Group in 2020 to create a racing brand that transcends sport. Marks formed Trackhouse Racing which took to the track in 2021 with Daniel Suárez behind the wheel. The team announced a partnership with international superstar entertainer Pitbull who has been a frequent guest at NASCAR races and elevated Trackhouse’s presence through inclusion in several of his songs, music videos and named his current album “Trackhouse.” Midway through the 2021 season, Trackhouse Racing purchased the NASCAR assets of Chip Ganassi Racing and began the 2022 season as its own two-car team with Suárez and Ross Chastain as drivers. Chastain gave the organization its first victory at Circuit of the Americas in Austin Texas in March and won again at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway in April. Suárez became the first Mexican (Monterrey) driver to win a Cup race when he won at Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway in June. In 2023, Chastain won the Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway race and season-ending race in Phoenix Raceway while New Zealander Shane van Gisbergen won the inaugural Chicago Street race in July driving for Trackhouse’s PROJECT91 program Marks created to offer NASCAR opportunities to international driving stars. In 2024, Suárez earned his second and Trackhouse’s seventh Cup Series victory in February when he won in a dramatic three-wide finish at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Trackhouse Entertainment Group operates out of Nashville, Tenn. while the race shop is in Concord, North Carolina. Trackhouse Racing joined the MotoGP grid in 2024, bringing an American team back to the pinnacle of motorcycle racing for the first time in over a decade. Trackhouse Racing MotoGP is determined to be a competitive force on and off the track in partnership with Aprilia as its official factory-supported team.
TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!
