NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
Kaulig Racing Named Anchor Team for Ram's NASCAR Return
Aug 23, 2025
Trackhouse Racing announced on Saturday that Connor Zilisch will compete full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2026.
Zilisch and Trackhouse Racing have reached a multi-year agreement, with Zilisch joining Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen as full-time drivers for the team in 2026.
"This day has been a dream of mine for a long time," said Zilisch. “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 said.
"I know the challenge that awaits entering the Cup Series as a full-time driver, but I feel that with the support of Trackhouse and Chevrolet, this is the right situation for me. 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 has quickly established himself as one of the young rising stars in motorsports. The 19-year-old driver won the Rolex 24 at Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring in 2024, as well as his first NASCAR Xfinity Series win, five ARCA Menards Series events, two NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series poles, and a zMAX CARS Tour event.
He is currently competing full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, credited with seven victories through the first 23 races of the 2025 season.
On Friday night, Zilisch started behind the wheel of the No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet in the Xfinity Series Wawa 250 Powered By Coca-Cola, before turning the wheel over to Parker Kligerman. Kligerman took the checkered flag in the race, with Zilisch credited with the win in the record books.
"Connor is a rare talent that comes along every few decades,” said Trackhouse racing founder and owner Justin Marks. “I have watched Connor grow from a kid racing go-karts at the Trackhouse Motorplex to an up-close seat as he beat all of us in the Trans Am races a few years ago.
“He quickly adapted to everything we have put him in, and what he is doing with JR Motorsports in Xfinity this season is historic. Connor is very mature, poised, and I know ready for Cup racing in 2026. He's been mentored along the way by former racer Josh Wise and Dr. Eric Warren at General Motors. I can speak for everyone at Trackhouse Racing when I say we have a tremendous amount of faith in this young man.”
Zilisch made his NASCAR Cup Series debut earlier this year at Circuit of The Americas. He has made three Cup Series appearances in 2025, with a best finish of 11th at EchoPark Speedway in June.
Since its beginning in 2021, Trackhouse Racing has won 13 events in NASCAR’s premier series. This year, Chastain won the Coca-Cola 600 in May, while Van Gisbergen boasts four victories at Mexico City, Chicago, Sonoma and Watkins Glen.
-Photo credit: James Gilbert/Getty Images
