Connor Zilisch Bio
Connor Jackson Zilisch (born July 22, 2006) is an American professional racing driver. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 88 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Trackhouse Racing, and part-time in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, driving the No. 1 Chevrolet Camaro SS for JR Motorsports. After an early career in karts, culminating in winning the Karting Academy Trophy in 2020, Zilisch began racing sports cars in 2021, adding stock cars to his program the next year. He broke onto the racing scene in 2024, winning prestigious endurance races in the LMP2 class and many NASCAR events.
Early Life and Background
Connor Jackson Zilisch was born on July 22, 2006, in Charlotte, North Carolina, and raised in nearby Mooresville, a town long associated with NASCAR. He is the youngest of three children. His mother, Janice Kerr, was a former gymnast on the Canadian women’s national artistic gymnastics team and a member of the 1983 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships tenth-place team. She later competed in college, where she was the NCAA Southeast Region all-around champion in 1987 and 1988, and was named the Southeastern Conference H. Boyd McWhorter Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 1990.
Zilisch started competing in go-karts at the age of five in 2011 and would spend ten years racing karts before moving up to cars in 2021. He began primarily in the United States before traveling overseas in 2017, when he won the Mini Rok World Championship in South Garda, Italy, competing against more than 160 other competitors from 33 different countries.
Path to NASCAR
Zilisch returned to Europe to race primarily in the FIA OKJ class from 2018 through 2020 and made the A final in the OKJ World Championship in both 2019 and 2020. In 2020, he also became the first American to win the CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy, a three-race series where competitors from all over the world race on identical equipment. He began racing cars in early 2021 with the Sports Car Club of America in the Spec Miata class, setting three track records and earning the SCCA Jim Fitzgerald Rookie of the Year award.
That same year, Zilisch won the Mazda MX-5 Cup Shootout and its $110,000 scholarship. In 2022, he competed in the Mazda MX-5 Cup series, recording four wins and finishing as runner-up in the championship. He was also named the 2022 Mazda MX-5 Cup Rookie of the Year. To prepare himself for a potential path to NASCAR, Zilisch began racing late-model cars in 2022, scoring two Late Model Stock Car wins at Hickory Motor Speedway.
Connor Zilisch Career
Early Career (2021–2023)
Zilisch began his car racing career in the Spec Miata class in 2021, setting three track records and reaching the podium multiple times. He finished third at the SCCA Run-offs in Indianapolis in a competitive Spec Miata field of about ninety cars. Later that year, he ran his first Trans Am TA2 race at Virginia International Raceway, earning pole position and shattering the track record before a mechanical issue forced an early retirement. His performance led to an invitation to race TA2 full-time for Silver Hare Racing in 2022.
In June 2022, Zilisch made his Pro Late Model debut at Orange County Speedway, winning the pole and leading every lap. In 2023, he made his ARCA Menards Series debut at Watkins Glen, qualifying second and leading 34 of 42 laps before finishing second after being moved in the final corner. He also returned to the CARS Pro Late Model Tour, winning at Ace Speedway in his second start of the season.
ARCA Menards Series Breakthrough (2023–2024)
On March 18, 2024, it was announced that Zilisch would return to Pinnacle Racing Group to run a full season in the ARCA Menards Series East, driving the No. 28 car. In his first start at Five Flags Speedway, he struggled with mechanical issues and finished fourth, two laps down. In his next race at Dover Motor Speedway, he took advantage of the leader’s mishaps and led the final 42 laps to earn his first career ARCA victory. At Flat Rock Speedway, he won the pole and led every lap, beginning a hot streak that included dominant wins at Iowa Speedway and Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.
Zilisch’s winning streak reached four straight after a victory at Michigan, where he held off a charging Andrés Pérez de Lara in the final laps. He added an ARCA Menards Series win at the General Tire 150 at Dover and another at Watkins Glen, capping a breakout 2024 that also included a win in the ARCA Menards Series West at Phoenix. Across ARCA’s three regional series in 2024, he recorded multiple wins and earned the 2024 ARCA Menards Series East runner-up finish.
IMSA Endurance Racing (2024–2025)
Zilisch announced himself on the international stage in 2024, winning the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring in the LMP2 class in his first attempts at both events. On December 12, 2024, it was announced that Zilisch would drive a Corvette Z06 GT3.R in the GTD Pro class at the 2025 Rolex 24 At Daytona alongside Shane van Gisbergen, Ben Keating, and Scott McLaughlin in a joint Trackhouse Racing and TF Sport entry. They finished ninth in class, one lap down.
On December 16, 2025, Zilisch was confirmed to enter the GTP class for Cadillac Whelen, driving a Cadillac V-Series.R in the 2026 24 Hours of Daytona. With teammates Jack Aitken, Earl Bamber, and Frederik Vesti, he finished second overall, just 1.5 seconds behind the winning Porsche Penske Motorsport entry.
NASCAR Xfinity Series Breakthrough (2024–2025)
On January 11, 2024, Zilisch signed a multi-year contract with Trackhouse Racing as a developmental driver. On March 12, 2024, it was announced that he would run a four-race slate with JR Motorsports in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 88 car. Following his 18th birthday on July 22, Zilisch made his Xfinity Series debut at Watkins Glen, where he won the pole, led the most laps, and saved enough fuel through two overtime restarts to take the victory, becoming the first driver in more than three years to win in his Xfinity Series debut.
On August 7, 2024, it was announced on The Dale Jr. Download that Zilisch would drive the No. 88 car for JR Motorsports full-time in 2025. After a slow start, he won his first race of the year at Circuit of the Americas. He then collected wins at Pocono, Sonoma, Dover, and Indianapolis, where he earned JR Motorsports their 100th career Xfinity Series victory. Two weeks later, he won at Watkins Glen but suffered a broken collarbone after a fall in victory lane. After recovering, he won at Portland and the series’ return at Gateway to secure the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series Regular Season Championship.
In the 2025 playoffs, Zilisch won at the Charlotte Roval and advanced to the Championship 4, snapping a record-breaking streak of eighteen consecutive top-five finishes at Talladega. He led late in the championship race at Phoenix Raceway but was passed for the win and the title by Jesse Love, and then by Aric Almirola. Zilisch finished third in the race and second in the final 2025 standings, while also earning NASCAR Xfinity Series Rookie of the Year honors.
Trackhouse Racing Era (2025–Present)
On January 23, 2025, it was announced that Zilisch would make his NASCAR Cup Series debut at Circuit of the Americas, driving the No. 87 for Trackhouse with sponsorship from Red Bull. He also competed in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, finishing 23rd after getting caught up in a three-car wreck. He later raced at Atlanta, where he recorded a career-best Cup finish of eleventh place.
On August 23, 2025, Trackhouse Racing announced that Zilisch had signed a multi-year contract to drive for the team in 2026. On November 7, 2025, it was revealed that he would run the No. 88, with teammate Shane van Gisbergen moving to the No. 97. Zilisch is scheduled to share the No. 1 JR Motorsports Xfinity ride in 2026 with Carson Kvapil. He has also continued to compete part-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for Spire Motorsports in the Nos. 71 and 77.
Driving Style and Strengths
Zilisch has shown a particular strength on road courses and a variety of ovals, demonstrating pace, race craft, and the ability to save fuel in pressure situations, as seen in his Xfinity Series debut win at Watkins Glen. He has built a strong partnership with JR Motorsports, and during a 2025 crew chief suspension, Dale Earnhardt Jr. served as his substitute crew chief at Pocono, where Zilisch won. His calm approach under pressure has translated into record-setting consistency, including eighteen consecutive top-five Xfinity finishes.
Notable Races and Milestones
Zilisch’s signature tracks include Watkins Glen, where he has won in both the Xfinity Series and ARCA, and Circuit of the Americas, where he has won across multiple series. His milestones include being the first American to win the CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy, winning both the 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring in the LMP2 class in 2024, and tying the NASCAR Xfinity Series record with four consecutive series wins in 2025. He also earned JR Motorsports their 100th career Xfinity Series victory with his win at Indianapolis.
Connor Zilisch Career Wins
Across karting, sports cars, and stock cars, Connor Zilisch has built one of the most decorated résumés of any young American driver. His major victories include the 2020 CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy, the 2021 Mazda MX-5 Cup Scholarship, the 2024 24 Hours of Daytona in LMP2, the 2024 12 Hours of Sebring in LMP2, and the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series Regular Season Championship.
NASCAR Xfinity Series Highlights
Zilisch made his Xfinity Series debut with a win at Watkins Glen in 2024. In 2025, he scored ten wins in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, tied the all-time record for most consecutive Xfinity Series wins with four, and set a new record with eighteen consecutive top-five finishes. He won the 2025 Regular Season Championship, finished second in the overall standings, and was named 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series Rookie of the Year. His most recent series win during this stretch came at the Charlotte Roval in the playoffs.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond the Xfinity Series, Zilisch has collected wins in the ARCA Menards Series, the ARCA Menards Series East, and the ARCA Menards Series West, including four East Series victories and a West Series win at Phoenix in 2024. He has also won in late-model competition, including Pro Late Model events at Orange County Speedway and Ace Speedway, and two Late Model Stock Car races at Hickory Motor Speedway in 2022.
| Series | Wins | Top Tens | Poles |
|---|---|---|---|
| NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series | 13 | 31 | 10 |
| NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series | 0 | 5 | 2 |
| ARCA Menards Series | 5 | 8 | 2 |
| ARCA Menards Series East | 4 | 7 | 2 |
| ARCA Menards Series West | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Connor Zilisch Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Connor Zilisch is the youngest of three children, born and raised in Mooresville, North Carolina. His mother, Janice Kerr, was a Canadian national team gymnast and a standout college athlete, earning the NCAA Southeast Region all-around title in 1987 and 1988. She was also named the Southeastern Conference H. Boyd McWhorter Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 1990 as a Florida Gator.
Personal Life
Zilisch is not married and has no publicly listed spouse or children. Outside of driving, he works as a driver coach to younger karting drivers and has served as a spotter for drivers including Stefan Parsons and Ross Chastain. He also co-runs a YouTube channel with fellow drivers Jesse Love and Daniel Dye called Shake N Bake Sports. In 2026, he joined the NASCAR on The CW crew as a guest analyst.
2025 Season Performance
Connor Zilisch’s 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series campaign was a breakout year. After a slow start with finishes outside the top 25 at Daytona and Atlanta, he caught fire in the spring, winning at Circuit of the Americas, Pocono, Sonoma, Dover, and Indianapolis, where he gave JR Motorsports their 100th series victory. He added wins at Watkins Glen, where he broke his collarbone celebrating, and then returned to win at Portland and Gateway to clinch the 2025 Regular Season Championship with nine regular-season wins.
Zilisch added a tenth and final 2025 win at the Charlotte Roval in the playoffs and advanced to the Championship 4 at Phoenix Raceway. There, he led late before being passed for the race win and the title by Jesse Love, and then by Aric Almirola. Zilisch finished third in the race and second in the final 2025 championship standings, while earning NASCAR Xfinity Series Rookie of the Year. He also made his NASCAR Cup Series debut at Circuit of the Americas and recorded a career-best Cup finish of eleventh at Atlanta.
Looking ahead, Zilisch is set to drive the No. 88 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Trackhouse Racing full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2026, share the No. 1 JR Motorsports Xfinity car with Carson Kvapil, and continue part-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for Spire Motorsports. He will also contest the 2026 24 Hours of Daytona in the GTP class with Cadillac Whelen, fresh off a second-place overall finish in that event.
