Connor Zilisch

Connor Zilisch
Zilisch at Richmond Raceway in 2024
Born	Connor Jackson Zilisch (2006-07-22) July 22, 2006 (age 18) Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.
Achievements	First American to ever win the CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy 2024 24 Hours of Daytona LMP2 Winner 2024 12 Hours of Sebring LMP2 Winner 2020 CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy Winner 2021 Mazda MX-5 Cup Scholarship Winner
Awards	2022 Mazda MX-5 Cup Rookie of the Year
NASCAR Xfinity Series career
2 races run over 1 year
Car no., team	No. 88 (JR Motorsports)
First race	2024 Mission 200 at The Glen (Watkins Glen)
Last race	2024 Kansas Lottery 300 (Kansas)
First win	2024 Mission 200 at The Glen (Watkins Glen)
Wins Top tens Poles 1 2 1
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series career
3 races run over 1 year
Truck no., team	No. 7 (Spire Motorsports)
First race	2024 XPEL 225 (COTA)
Last race	2024 UNOH 200 (Bristol)
Wins Top tens Poles 0 1 2
ARCA Menards Series career
7 races run over 2 years
ARCA no., team	No. 28 (Pinnacle Racing Group)
Best finish	68th (2023)
First race	2023 General Tire 100 at The Glen (Watkins Glen)
Last race	2024 Bush's Beans 200 (Bristol)
First win	2024 General Tire 150 (Dover)
Last win	2024 General Tire 100 at The Glen (Watkins Glen)
Wins Top tens Poles 5 7 2
ARCA Menards Series East career
7 races run over 1 year
ARCA East no., team	No. 28 (Pinnacle Racing Group)
Best finish	2nd (2024)
First race	2024 Pensacola 150 (Pensacola)
Last race	2024 Bush's Beans 200 (Bristol)
First win	2024 General Tire 150 (Dover)
Last win	2024 Circle City 200 (IRP)
Wins Top tens Poles 4 7 2
Statistics current as of September 14, 2024.

Connor Jackson Zilisch (born July 22, 2006) is an American professional racing driver. He is signed as a development driver for Trackhouse Racing as of 2024. Under that agreement, Zilisch competes in select races across multiple racing series, including the NASCAR Xfinity Series (for JR Motorsports), the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (for Spire Motorsports), the ARCA Menards Series (for Pinnacle Racing Group), the CARS Tour, the Trans-Am Series (for Silver Hare Racing), the IMSA SportsCar Championship (for Era Motorsport) and the Global MX-5 Cup.

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. Zilisch broke onto the racing scene in 2024, winning the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring in the LMP2 class in his first attempts and winning in his first career NASCAR Xfinity Series start in September at Watkins Glen, less than two months after his 18th birthday.

Racing career

Early career

Karting

Zilisch started competing in go-karts at the age of 5 in 2011. He would spend 10 years racing karts before moving up to cars in 2021. Zilisch karted primarily in the United States until 2017 when he won the Mini Rok World Championship in South Garda, Italy competing against more than 160 other competitors from 33 different countries. He returned to Europe to race primarily in the FIA OKJ class in 2018–2020 and made the "A" final in the OKJ World Championship in both 2019 and 2020. In 2020 he also became the first ever American to win the CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy, a three race series where competitors from all over the world all race on identical equipment.^[1]

Mazda MX-5 Global Cup and Trans-Am

Zilisch began racing cars in early 2021 with the Sports Car Club of America in the Spec Miata class and quickly began showing strong results, setting 3 track records and reaching the podium multiple times. At the SCCA Run-offs in Indianapolis that year, Zilisch finished 3rd out of ~ 90 cars in the competitive Spec Miata class and shortly thereafter was named the SCCA Jim Fitzgerald Rookie of the Year. Zilisch also competed in the Mazda MX-5 Cup Shootout competition, in late 2021, winning the $110,000 scholarship which would fund his participation in the series in 2022. In late 2021 Zilisch also ran his first Trans Am TA2 race at Virginia International Raceway earning pole position while shattering the track record as a rookie driver. He led the race early until a mechanical issue forced him to retire early, however, his performance in the race led to his being invited to race TA2 full-time for Silver Hare Racing in 2022.

In the Mazda MX-5 Cup series, Zilisch recorded 4 wins on the season and nearly won the championship in the last race of the season at Road Atlanta. In that race, Zilisch needed to finish at least 3 spots ahead of Jared Thomas to win the $250K championship prize and on track he did that, finishing 6th to Thomas' 9th place finish, however a post-race penalty to Alex Bachoura (who finished in between Zilisch and Thomas) ended up moving Thomas up one position and handing him the championship. Zilisch won $85K for second place and was also named the Mazda MX-5 Cup Rookie of the Year for 2022.^[2]

Late Models

Pro Late Models

In June 2022 Zilisch would make his Pro Late Model debut in the No. 4 for Setzer Racing and Development at Orange County Speedway with the Carolina Pro Late Model Series where he would win the pole, and led all the laps en route to his first career victory in an Asphalt Late Model overall and Pro Late Model.^[3]

For 2023, Zilisch would return to the No. 25 for Rackley WAR running select events in the CARS Pro Late Model Tour. He would win at Ace Speedway in his 2nd start of the season holding off Caden Kvapil to do so.^[4]

Late Model Stock Cars

In 2022, Zilisch began racing late model cars to prepare him for a potential path to NASCAR. He would start to run Late Model Stock Cars in the No. 57 for Carroll Speedshop. He would score 2 wins on the year both coming at Hickory Motor Speedway as well as 2 other podium positions.

For 2023, Zilisch would return to the No. 57 for Carroll Speedshop on a part-time basis in the CARS Late Model Stock Car Tour. At Hickory Motor Speedway during the Throwback 276, Zilisch would run a throwback to the No. 98 Dogecoin car driven in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2014 by his current driver coach Josh Wise.

ARCA Menards Series

2023

On August 14, 2023, it was announced Zilisch would make his ARCA Menards Series debut in the No. 28 for Pinnacle Racing Group at that weekend's race at Watkins Glen.^[5] Zilisch qualified 2nd behind Corey LaJoie and then went on to dominate the race, leading 34 out of the race's 42 laps, and barely lost the race after getting moved in the final corner of the final lap from the lead by Jesse Love going on to still finish second despite an ill handling car affected by a broken front sway bar.

Zilisch and his crew celebrating after winning the General Tire 150 at Dover Motor Speedway.

2024

Zilisch's race-winning car at Dover Motor Speedway in 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.^[6] In his first start at Five Flags Speedway, he missed practice and qualifying due to being at Circuit of the Americas for the NASCAR Truck Series race, and was replaced by Luke Fenhaus.^[7] Zilisch was able to make the race but struggled with mechanical issues throughout the event and finished 4th, two laps down. In his next race at Dover Motor Speedway, Zilisch took advantage of the leader's mishaps and led the final 42 laps of the event to earn his first career win in both the main and East Series.^[8] At the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, Zilisch qualified 4th and ran in the top three throughout the event, but did not have the car to beat the eventual race winner William Sawalich, he finished 3rd behind Isabella Robusto. He rebounded the following race at Flat Rock Speedway, where he would go on to obliterate the competition, winning the pole and leading every lap of the race to earn his second career win.^[9][10] He continued with a hot streak of victories, winning the next two East Series events at Iowa Speedway and Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, both in dominating fashion.^[11][12] At Michigan, his first start on an intermediate racetrack, Zilisch passed Tanner Gray late in the event and held off a charging Andrés Pérez de Lara in the final laps to score another victory, continuing his winning streak of 4-4 in the ARCA Series.^[13]

NASCAR

On January 11, 2024, Zilisch signed a multi-year contract with Trackhouse Racing as a developmental driver. His developmental program in 2024 and 2025 consists of races in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, as well as ARCA, CARS Tour, Trans-Am, and IMSA.^[14]

Craftsman Truck Series

2024

On March 15, 2024, it was announced that Zilisch would run a three-race schedule for Spire Motorsports in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 7 truck, including a race at Homestead–Miami Speedway in a coordinated entry fielded by Spire.^[15] He made his debut at Circuit of the Americas, shocking the field after winning the pole in his first career start, with a lap of 2:11.983, and a speed of 93.012 mph (149.688 km/h), seven tenths faster than the second-place driver of Corey Heim and was also the track record.^[16] On the first lap, Zilisch locked up his brakes and ultimately missed the first corner, losing the lead and falling to the back.^[17] He battled through many mid-race struggles, including penalties and spins. He would pass the most amount of trucks throughout the entire race, and eventually made it back to the top five in the final stages. He was unable to catch the eventual winner Corey Heim, and settled for a fourth place finish in his series debut.^[18] Following his performance, Spire added three more races to Zilisch's schedule, which includes Richmond, Bristol, and Martinsville.^[19]

Xfinity Series

2024

On March 12, 2024, it was announced that Zilisch would run a four-race slate with JR Motorsports in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 88 car.^[20] Following his 18th birthday on July 22, Zilisch will compete in the races at Watkins Glen, Kansas, Homestead–Miami, and the season finale at Phoenix.^[21] At Watkins Glen, Zilisch won the pole, led the most laps, and saved enough fuel in two overtime restarts for the win in his Xfinity Series debut, becoming the first driver in over three years (Ty Gibbs at the 2021 Daytona RC race) to win in their Xfinity Series debut.^[22]

2025

On August 7, 2024, it was announced on The Dale Jr. Download that Zilisch will drive the No. 88 car for JRM full-time in 2025.^[23]

Personal life

Zilisch, when not driving himself, is a driver coach to younger drivers in the Karting ranks. He was announced as a client of KHI Management in 2021, but subsequently parted ways with the company in early 2023.^[24] He is good friends with fellow driver Jesse Love, who often joke with each other on social media.^[25]

Zilisch's mother, Janice Kerr, was a gymnast on the Canadian women's national artistic gymnastics team and a member of the 1983 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships tenth-place team. She was the NCAA Southeast Region all-around champion in 1987 and 1988.^[26] Kerr was named the Southeastern Conference H. Boyd McWhorter Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 1990, one of only four Florida Gators to have won the award.^[27]

Motorsports career results

NASCAR

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

Xfinity Series

NASCAR Xfinity Series results
Year	Team	No.	Make	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29	30	31	32	33	NXSC	Pts	Ref
2024	JR Motorsports	88	Chevy	DAY	ATL	LVS	PHO	COA	RCH	MAR	TEX	TAL	DOV	DAR	CLT	PIR	SON	IOW	NHA	NSH	CSC	POC	IND	MCH	DAY	DAR	ATL	GLN 1*	BRI	KAN 4	TAL	ROV	LVS	HOM	MAR	PHO	-*	-*	[28]

Craftsman Truck Series

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series results
Year	Team	No.	Make	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	NCTC	Pts	Ref
2024	Spire Motorsports	7	Chevy	DAY	ATL	LVS	BRI	COA 4	MAR	TEX	KAN	DAR	NWS	CLT	GTW	NSH	POC	IRP	RCH 29	MLW	BRI 19	KAN	TAL		MAR		-*	-*	[29]
	TBA	TBA																						HOM		PHO

ARCA Menards Series

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led. ** – All laps led.)

ARCA Menards Series results
Year	Team	No.	Make	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	AMSC	Pts	Ref
2023	Pinnacle Racing Group	28	Chevy	DAY	PHO	TAL	KAN	CLT	BLN	ELK	MOH	IOW	POC	MCH	IRP	GLN 2*	ISF	MLW	DSF	KAN	BRI	SLM	TOL	68th	44	[30]
2024				DAY	PHO	TAL	DOV 1	KAN	CLT	IOW 1*	MOH	BLN	IRP 1*	SLM	ELK	MCH 1	ISF	MLW 2	DSF	GLN 1**	BRI 26	KAN 2	TOL	-*	-*	[31]

ARCA Menards Series East

ARCA Menards Series East results
Year	Team	No.	Make	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	AMSEC	Pts	Ref
2024	Pinnacle Racing Group	28	Chevy	FIF 4	DOV 1	NSV 3	FRS 1**	IOW 1*	IRP 1*	MLW 2	BRI 26	2nd	390	[32]

ARCA Menards Series West

ARCA Menards Series West results
Year	Team	No.	Make	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	AMSWC	Pts	Ref
2024	Pinnacle Racing Group	28	Chevy	PHO	KER	PIR	SON	IRW	IRW	SHA	TRI	MAD	AAS	KER	PHO	-*	-*

CARS Late Model Stock Car Tour

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led. ** – All laps led.)

CARS Late Model Stock Car Tour results
Year	Team	No.	Make	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	CLMSCTC	Pts	Ref
2022	Carroll Speedshop	28	Chevy	CRW	HCY	GPS	AAS	FCS	LGY	DOM	HCY	ACE	MMS	NWS	TCM	ACE	SBO Wth^†	CRW			N/A	N/A	[33]
2023		57		SNM	FLC	HCY 8	ACE 12	NWS 36	LGY	DOM 9	CRW 16		ACE 11	TCM	WKS	AAS	SBO	TCM	CRW		-*	-*	[34]
		98										HCY 15
2024	Pinnacle Racing Group	28	Chevy	SNM	HCY 1	AAS	OCS	ACE	NWS	TCM	LGY	DOM	CRW 7	HCY	ACE	WKS	FLC	SBO	TCM	NWS	-*	-*
^† – Entered but later withdrew from the race

CARS Pro Late Model Tour

(key)

CARS Pro Late Model Tour results
Year	Team	No.	Make	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	CPLMTC	Pts	Ref
2023	Rackley WAR	25	Chevy	SNM	HCY 3	ACE 1	NWS 3	TCM	DIL	CRW 6	WKS	HCY 6	FLC	SBO	TCM	CRW	-*	-*	[35]

Carolina Pro Late Model Series

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led. ** – All laps led.)

Carolina Pro Late Model Series results
Year	Team	No.	Make	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	CPLMSC	Pts	Ref
2022	Setzer Racing and Development	4	Chevy	SNM	FCS	HCY	AAS	DIL	MMS	OCS 1**	CCS	HCY	HCY	AND	OCS	HCY	30th	N/A	[36]

Complete IMSA SportsCar Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position. Races in italics indicate fastest race lap in class. Results are overall/class)

Year	Team	Class	Make	Engine	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Rank	Points
2024	Era Motorsport	LMP2	Oreca 07	Gibson GK428 4.2 L V8	DAY 1	SEB 1	WGL	MOS	ELK	IMS	ATL	1st*	741*

Mazda Mx-5 Cup

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position. Races in italics indicate fastest race lap in class. Results are overall/class)

Year	Team	Make	Engine	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	Rank	Points
2021	Hixon Motor Sports	Mazda MX-5	SKYACTIV-G 2.0L four-cylinder engine	DAY	DAY	SEB	SEB	STP	STP	MOH	MOH	ELK	ELK	LGA	LGA	ATL 22	ATL 5	32nd	360
2022	Hixon Motor Sports	Mazda MX-5	SKYACTIV-G 2.0L four-cylinder engine	DAY 4	DAY 7	STP 17	STP 2	MOH 17	MOH 17	WGL 22	WGL 6	ELK 1	ELK 1	VIR 2	VIR 1	ATL 1	ATL 6	2nd	3600
2023	Hixon Motor Sports	Mazda MX-5	SKYACTIV-G 2.0L four-cylinder engine	DAY 2	DAY 15	STP 2	STP 1	LGA 1	LGA 22	WGL	WGL	ELK	ELK	VIR 3	VIR 9	ATL 1	ATL 1	8th	2920
2024	BSI Racing	Mazda MX-5	SKYACTIV-G 2.0L four-cylinder engine	DAY 5	DAY 25	SEB 2	SEB 2	LAG	LAG	MOH 1	MOH 5	MOP	MOP	VIR	VIR	ATL	ATL	8th*	1610*

* Season still in progress

References

1. "Inside Mazda MX-5 Cup: Connor Zilisch's rapid learning curve". RACER. 24 May 2022. Archived from the original on August 15, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
2. "Connor Zilisch's Freshman Year". BFGoodrich. Archived from the original on August 15, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
3. "FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE – 2022 Carolina Pro Late Model Series/Carolina Crate Modified Series At Orange County Speedway". Short Track Report. Archived from the original on August 15, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
4. "Connor Zilisch Drives To First CARS Tour Pro Late Model Victory At Ace Speedway". FloSports. Archived from the original on August 15, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
5. "Connor Zilisch to make ARCA debut at Watkins Glen with Pinnacle Racing Group". ARCA Menards Series. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
6. Branscum, Benjamine (March 18, 2024). "Connor Zilisch Grows 2024 Schedule, Joins Pinnacle Racing Group For ARCA East Slate". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
7. White, Brandon (March 19, 2024). "Connor Zilisch feels prepared for a grueling, same-day doubleheader between COTA and Five Flags Speedway". Official Site of NASCAR. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
8. Christie, Toby (April 26, 2024). "Connor Zilisch Nudges Way to Win at Dover; First Career ARCA Win". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
9. Calloni, Josh (May 18, 2024). "Connor Zilisch Wins ARCA East Pole at Flat Rock". Frontstretch.com. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
10. Branscum, Benjamine (May 18, 2024). "Zilisch Flat Out Dominates, Wins Dutch Boy 150". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
11. Branscum, Benjamine (June 14, 2024). "Zilisch Endures Late Race Restarts At Iowa, Wins The Atlas 150". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
12. Srigley, Joseph (July 19, 2024). "Connor Zilisch Outduels William Sawalich on Late Restart for ARCA Win at IRP". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
13. Branscum, Benjamine (August 16, 2024). "Zilisch Shines In Michigan, Wins The Henry Ford Health 200". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
14. "Trackhouse Racing signs developmental driver Connor Zilisch to multi-year contract". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media. January 11, 2023. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
15. "Connor Zilisch to pilot Spire Motorsports Chevy Silverado in select NCTS races". Jayski.com. Jayski's Silly Season Site. March 15, 2024. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
16. Srigley, Joseph (March 22, 2024). "Connor Zilisch Outpaces Field for Pole in Truck Debut at COTA". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
17. Christie, Toby (March 23, 2024). "Video: Polesitter Connor Zilisch Locks up Brakes in Turn 1 at COTA". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
18. Albino, Dustin (March 23, 2024). "Chaotic race for Connor Zilisch results in top-five effort at COTA". Official Site of NASCAR. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
19. "Connor Zilisch to run three additional Truck races". Jayski.com. Jayski's Silly Season Site. April 25, 2024. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
20. Srigley, Joseph (March 12, 2024). "Connor Zilisch Earns Four-Race Xfinity Slate in No. 88 for JR Motorsports". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
21. "Connor Zilisch competing in 4 Xfinity races for JR Motorsports in 2024". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media. March 12, 2024. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
22. "Connor Zilisch dazzles in Xfinity Series debut, wins at Watkins Glen". NASCAR. September 14, 2024. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
23. "Connor Zilisch to drive full time for JR Motorsports in 2025". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media. August 7, 2024. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
24. "KHI Management". KHI Management. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
25. Ghosh, Nilavro (March 25, 2024). "Jesse Love & Connor Zilisch Light Social Media on Fire as They Take Shots at Each Other's NASCAR Misery; Fans in Disbelief". EssentiallySports.com. EssentiallySports. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
26. "1990 Gymnastics Roster". floridagators.com. University Athletic Assoc., Inc., FOX Sports Sun & IMG College. Archived from the original on February 12, 2024. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
27. "McWhorter Scholar-Athletes of the Year announced". www.secsports.com. ESPN. May 2, 2023. Archived from the original on February 12, 2024. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
28. "Connor Zilisch – 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
29. "Connor Zilisch – 2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
30. "Connor Zilisch – 2023 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
31. "Connor Zilisch – 2024 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
32. "Connor Zilisch – 2024 ARCA Menards Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
33. "Connor Zilisch – 2022 CARS Late Model Stock Car Tour Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
34. "Connor Zilisch – 2023 CARS Late Model Stock Car Tour Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
35. "Connor Zilisch – 2023 CARS Pro Late Model Tour Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
36. "Connor Zilisch – 2022 Carolina Pro Late Model Series Results". CPLMS. Retrieved August 15, 2023.

External links

• Official website
• Connor Zilisch driver statistics at Racing-Reference