Connor Jackson Zilisch Bio
Connor Jackson Zilisch (born July 22, 2006) is an American professional racing driver competing full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series and part-time in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. Driving the No. 88 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Trackhouse Racing, Zilisch has rapidly emerged as a versatile talent with success in sports cars and stock cars since beginning his career in 2021.
Early Life and Background
Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, Connor Zilisch started kart racing at the age of five in 2011. He spent a decade honing his skills in karting, competing internationally and winning the prestigious CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy in 2020, becoming the first American to do so. His early exposure to competitive racing in Europe and the United States laid a strong foundation for his transition to car racing.
Zilisch’s mother, Janice Kerr, was a gymnast on the Canadian women’s national artistic gymnastics team and a collegiate champion, highlighting a family background of athletic excellence. This environment likely influenced his dedication and competitive spirit. While specific educational details are not public, Zilisch’s focus on racing from a young age has been evident.
Path to NASCAR
After karting success, Zilisch moved to sports cars in 2021, competing in the Sports Car Club of America Spec Miata class and quickly earning Rookie of the Year honors. He won the Mazda MX-5 Cup Scholarship that year, enabling a full season in 2022 where he recorded four wins and was named Mazda MX-5 Cup Rookie of the Year. Concurrently, he raced in the Trans-Am TA2 series, earning pole position and setting track records as a rookie.
In 2022, Zilisch began late model stock car racing to prepare for NASCAR, winning multiple races in the Carolina Pro Late Model Series and CARS Late Model Stock Car Tour. His rapid progression led to a multi-year developmental contract with Trackhouse Racing in 2024, marking his official entry into NASCAR’s national series.
Connor Zilisch Career
Early Career (2011–2021)
Zilisch’s karting career from 2011 to 2020 was marked by international competition and victories, including the Mini Rok World Championship in Italy and strong performances in the FIA OKJ class. Transitioning to cars in 2021, he excelled in SCCA Spec Miata and Trans-Am TA2, setting track records and earning rookie honors. His early car racing success demonstrated adaptability and speed.
In late 2021, Zilisch secured the Mazda MX-5 Cup Scholarship, which funded his 2022 season in the series. This period was crucial for gaining experience in sports cars and stock cars, setting the stage for his NASCAR career.
Mazda MX-5 Cup and Late Models Breakthrough (2022–2023)
In 2022, Zilisch competed full-time in the Mazda MX-5 Cup, winning four races and narrowly missing the championship. His performance earned him Rookie of the Year honors. Simultaneously, he raced in late model stock cars, winning multiple events in the Carolina Pro Late Model Series and CARS Late Model Stock Car Tour, showcasing his versatility across racing disciplines.
In 2023, Zilisch continued to race late models part-time and made his ARCA Menards Series debut, quickly earning wins and podiums. His dominance in ARCA East with multiple victories established him as a rising star in stock car racing.
NASCAR and IMSA Breakthrough (2024–Present)
In 2024, Zilisch signed with Trackhouse Racing as a developmental driver, competing in NASCAR Xfinity Series, Craftsman Truck Series, ARCA, and IMSA events. He won the 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring in the LMP2 class, marking significant endurance racing achievements early in his career.
He made a stunning NASCAR Xfinity Series debut at Watkins Glen in 2024, winning the race after securing pole position and leading the most laps. In 2025, Zilisch raced full-time in the Xfinity Series for JR Motorsports, winning ten races and setting a record with eighteen consecutive top-five finishes. He earned Rookie of the Year honors and finished second in the championship.
In the NASCAR Cup Series, Zilisch debuted in 2025 with Trackhouse Racing, driving the No. 87 and later the No. 88 car. Despite some setbacks, including crashes and injuries, he showed promise with a career-best eleventh-place finish at Atlanta. Trackhouse Racing secured his services with a multi-year contract extending into 2026.
Driving Style and Strengths
Connor Zilisch is known for his adaptability across multiple racing formats, excelling on road courses and intermediate tracks. His race craft includes strong qualifying speed, strategic fuel management, and the ability to maintain consistency under pressure. Partnerships with experienced crew chiefs and teams have supported his rapid development.
Notable Races and Milestones
Zilisch’s victory at the 24 Hours of Daytona LMP2 class and his Xfinity Series debut win at Watkins Glen stand out as career-defining moments. His record-breaking streak of top-five finishes in the 2025 Xfinity Series season and multiple wins at prestigious tracks like Circuit of the Americas and Indianapolis highlight his rising status in motorsports.
Connor Zilisch Career Wins
Connor Zilisch has accumulated significant wins across karting, sports car, and stock car racing. His victories include the CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy, Mazda MX-5 Cup races, endurance wins at Daytona and Sebring, and multiple NASCAR Xfinity Series events.
NASCAR Xfinity Series Highlights
Zilisch won his first Xfinity Series race in his debut at Watkins Glen in 2024. In 2025, he secured ten wins, including races at Circuit of the Americas, Pocono, Sonoma, Dover, Indianapolis, and Watkins Glen. He also captured the Regular Season Championship and reached the Championship 4, finishing second overall.
Other Wins & Performances
In addition to his Xfinity success, Zilisch has notable achievements in the ARCA Menards Series with multiple wins in the East Series and strong performances in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, including a pole position in his debut. His endurance racing victories in the LMP2 class at the 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring further demonstrate his versatility.
Connor Zilisch Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Connor Zilisch comes from an athletic family, with his mother Janice Kerr having been a Canadian national team gymnast and NCAA champion. This background reflects a tradition of competitive sports excellence, though there is no public record of other family members involved in motorsports.
Personal Life
Zilisch is unmarried and has no children. Outside of racing, he serves as a driver coach for younger karting drivers and co-hosts a YouTube channel called “Shake N Bake Sports” with fellow drivers. His focus remains on advancing his professional racing career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a breakthrough year for Connor Zilisch as he competed full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for JR Motorsports. He won ten races and set a series record with eighteen consecutive top-five finishes. Despite a late-season injury and a challenging playoff finale, he secured Rookie of the Year honors and finished second in the championship standings.
In the NASCAR Cup Series, Zilisch made his debut and showed promise with solid finishes despite some incidents. Trackhouse Racing extended his contract, signaling confidence in his potential. He is also slated to compete in the IMSA GTD Pro class at the 2025 Rolex 24 At Daytona, driving a Corvette Z06 GT3.R in a partnership between Trackhouse Racing and TF Sport.
With strong team support and continued development, Zilisch’s outlook for 2026 is highly promising as he balances commitments across NASCAR and sports car racing disciplines.
