Connor Zilisch, the 19-year-old driver for JR Motorsports, was named the 2025 NMPA Richard Petty Driver of the Year, edging out some of the biggest names in motorsports. This prestigious award highlights his remarkable performance this season in the Xfinity Series and reinforces his rising status within NASCAR. The announcement was made shortly after Zilisch secured his latest milestone with the team based at Kansas Speedway.
Zilisch’s competition for the award included notable champions across various racing disciplines, such as NTT IndyCar champion Alex Palou, Cup Series veteran Denny Hamlin, and Truck Series champion Corey Heim. Other contenders were Formula One star Lando Norris, NHRA Funny Car champion Austin Prock, NHRA Top Fuel competitor Brittany Force, and Kubota High Limit Racing champion Rico Abreu. Despite the strong field, Zilisch narrowly surpassed Palou by a single vote and Hamlin by two.
With an impressive record of ten victories and 18 consecutive top-five finishes, the National Motorsports Press Association selected Zilisch for this top honor. The official NMPA X page stated,
“2025 @JRMotorsports driver @ConnorZilisch was voted as the 2025 Richard Petty Driver of the Year by the NMPA Membership. Zilisch is the second consecutive year that a Xfinity (now O’Reilly Auto Parts) Series driver has received the award.”
JR Motorsports celebrated Zilisch’s achievement on social media, expressing their congratulations with a simple message: “Congratulations @ConnorZilisch”.
Zilisch becomes the second driver from JR Motorsports to win this award after teammate Justin Allgaier, who earned the title following his 2024 championship win. The North Carolina native is poised to move up to the premier level of NASCAR by joining Trackhouse Racing’s Cup Series lineup, where he will drive the #88 Chevy Camaro ZL1 starting in the 2026 season.
Breaking a 41-Year-Old Xfinity Streak Record During Rookie Full-Time Season
During his rookie full-time season in the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series, Connor Zilisch broke a longstanding record previously held by Sam Ard for over four decades. Ard’s record was for the most consecutive top-five finishes in a single season, set at 15. Zilisch surpassed this milestone by achieving a 16th straight top-five finish at Kansas Speedway while driving the #88 Chevy for JR Motorsports. He extended that streak to 18 consecutive top-five finishes later in the season, setting a new benchmark for consistency.
NASCAR’s official channels recognized Zilisch’s accomplishment, noting,
“Connor Zilisch has now scored a top five in 16 CONSECUTIVE NASCAR Xfinity Series races, surpassing Sam Ard’s 41 year old record to be the longest in Series history.”
This record-breaking streak illustrates Zilisch’s talent and determination as he continuously delivers strong performances within a highly competitive field. His successful rookie season in the Xfinity Series not only earned him this historic record but also opened doors to his upcoming transition to the Cup Series.
Transition to Cup Series and Future Prospects with Trackhouse Racing
Following the conclusion of the 2025 season, Trackhouse Racing announced that Connor Zilisch will replace Daniel Suarez for the 2026 Cup Series season. He will join experienced teammates Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen in competing at NASCAR’s highest level. Ahead of notable events such as the Daytona 500, Zilisch and van Gisbergen secured a sponsorship deal with Red Bull, indicating strong support and ambition for the upcoming year.
Zilisch’s move to Trackhouse Racing and the Cup Series marks a major step forward in his racing career, promising new challenges and opportunities. His impressive achievements with JR Motorsports, including winning the Richard Petty Award and breaking historical records, underscore his readiness for this next chapter. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as Zilisch competes against top-tier NASCAR talent while continuing to build his legacy.
Congratulations @ConnorZilisch 💪 https://t.co/s0vSQxKztv
— JR Motorsports (@JRMotorsports) February 7, 2026
