Connor Zilisch, the Dale Earnhardt Jr. prodigy, is set for a promotion to the Cup Series, with him replacing Daniel Suarez for Trackhouse Racing. He held back his tears during a press conference and spoke about his new role with the racing team.
NASCAR up-and-coming driver Connor Zilisch will be moving up to the NASCAR Cup Series in 2026 on a full-time basis, driving for Trackhouse Racing. This is a huge milestone in his career following his spectacular year of success in the Xfinity Series, where he has had seven wins already, with one of them coming at the Daytona Speedway. Zilisch has signed a multiyear deal with Trackhouse Racing and will replace Daniel Suarez in a Chevrolet entry, joining teammates Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen. The particular car number and sponsor arrangement of Zilisch in the Cup Series is yet to be announced.
Noah Lewis tweeted a video of Connor Zilisch talking about his lifelong dream of being a Cup Series driver. Zilisch said:
“Being on the last 15 years of my life, and what’s led to this moment and got me this point. I never thought Iwould make it anywhere in racing. My parents have been behind me since day one, through every moment, the good the bad there were many times I question why I left school, left my friends to make this commitment to go to the Cup Series and try and chase a dream of racing in motorsports and and you know.”
“I never knew what you know was ahead of me and there were times you know five years ago where I thought I was just gonna go to college and live the life of a normal kid and Kevin Harvick asked my dad you know what’s your plan with this kid and and you know my dad was like well he’s gonna race for you know another year or two and he’s gonna go to college and you know Kevin told my dad he’s like you can’t do that so first of all thank you to Kevin”
Despite the recent multiple injuries, including a broken collarbone following a fall after winning the race at Watkins Glen, he has shown maturity and tolerance far beyond his years. Zilisch has been an improvement force within Trackhouse since 2024 and has proved to be adaptable and capable of growing.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. opens up on Connor Zilisch and Parker Kligerman
Dale Earnhardt Jr. shared his admiration for both Connor Zilisch and Parker Kligerman following the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Daytona. Zilisch, who was recovering from a broken collarbone sustained in a fall after winning at Watkins Glen, started the Daytona race but was replaced midway by Kligerman, who was on standby for JR Motorsports. Kligerman seized the opportunity and drove the No. 88 car to victory, while Zilisch joyfully celebrated the win alongside him at Victory Lane.
“I got down from the pits and got on the pit road and was going to head down victory lane because I knew they were going to forego the interview on the front straightaway. And I saw Connor way out there. I was like, ‘Good Lord, you can’t keep track of him’. He’s just wide open. But I think Connor badly wants to be in the car and it’s hard for him to stand in victory lane with his car, his team, his guys, but he’s such a great sport and a professional even at this young age, takes everything in stride,” Dale Earnhardt Jr. said. [00:20]
Earnhardt praised Kligerman’s composed and positive attitude throughout the race and credited him for representing the team exceptionally well.
