Connor Zilisch Moving To The NASCAR Cup Series With Trackhouse Racing In 2026

Trackhouse Racing announced at Daytona on Saturday that Connor Zilisch has signed a multi-year deal to drive for the team in the NASCAR Cup Series, starting in 2026.

The 19-year-old phenom will replace Daniel Suarez at the three-car outfit and drive alongside Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen, who has also signed a multi-year extension with the team.

Zilisch was already signed as a Trackhouse Racing development driver and competes in the Xfinity Series on loan to JR Motorsports.

“This day has been a dream of mine for a long time,” Zilisch said during a press conference on the announcement.

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“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!”

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Zilisch has eight wins in the Xfinity Series so far this season, the most recent coming on Friday night at Daytona when he teamed up with Parker Kligerman in the Wawa 250. Zilisch is still recovering from a broken collarbone suffered when he fell off of his car while celebrating a win at Watkins Glen and didn’t want to take the chance of injuring it in a big crash, as he is locked into the playoffs and was first in the points standings before the race.

Zilisch has started three races in the Cup Series for Trackhouse this year, with an 11th place finish in Atlanta his best result. He was slated to drive at Watking Glen, before his injury during the Xfinity Series event.