Connor Zilisch lands NASCAR Cup ride with Trackhouse Racing - ESPN

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Connor Zilisch, a 19-year-old driver who has seven victories in NASCAR's second-tier Xfinity Series this season, is getting promoted to a Cup ride in 2026.

Trackhouse Racing owner Justin Marks announced Saturday that Zilisch has signed a multiyear contract to drive full time in the Cup Series next year. Zilisch will replace Daniel Suárez in a yet-to-be-numbered Chevrolet and join teammates Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen in Marks' three-car team.

«This day has been a dream of mine for a long time,» said Zilisch, who has been a Trackhouse developmental driver since 2024 and leads the Xfinity Series points while racing for JR Motorsports.

«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 added. «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.»

Zilisch raced competitively in go-karts as a kid, including a stint in Europe at age 11. The Mooresville, North Carolina, native turned pro in 2021.

Since then, Zilisch found success in every series he's entered. In the last two years, he won the 2024 Rolex 24 and the 12 Hours of Sebring as well as five ARCA races, two NASCAR Truck Series poles, plus a victory in a CARS Tour late model race.

He has been even better in the Xfinity Series, winning eight times in 23 races. Zilisch has reeled off 12 consecutive top-five finishes, including winning at Daytona International Speedway on Friday night after giving way to backup driver Parker Kligerman.

Zilisch started the race less than two weeks after breaking his collarbone during a nasty