Connor Zilisch will make his NASCAR Cup Series debut at Circuit of The Americas (COTA) with Trackhouse Racing, aiming to become the sport's youngest Cup Series winner.

The 18-year-old prodigy pushed for an early debut at COTA, rather than later in the year as initially planned. His motivation is two-fold: the convenience of running both Xfinity and Cup Series races on the same weekend, and his goal to break Joey Logano's record as the youngest Cup Series winner (19 years, one month, and four days).

Zilisch, who turns 19 on July 22, will drive the No. 87 car with Red Bull as the primary sponsor. This marks Red Bull's return to NASCAR and Trackhouse Racing's expansion to a fourth car for this race.

His 2024 racing schedule is extensive, including:

• Full-time Xfinity Series with JR Motorsports
• Selected races in Craftsman Truck Series
• ARCA Menards Series
• CARS Tour
• Trans Am
• IMSA
• Cup Series debut

Approaching his Cup Series debut, Zilisch maintains a measured outlook: "I have no expectations. I don't expect to win, and I go in expecting to learn and pick up as much as I can from the weekend." However, he acknowledges the potential for success if the car performs well and he adapts quickly to the track.

Looking ahead, Zilisch emphasizes patience in his progression to full-time Cup Series competition. "I want to be prepared when I make that jump," he states, highlighting his desire to prove himself in the Xfinity Series before advancing to regular Sunday racing against established stars like Joey Logano and Kyle Larson.

Related Articles

Previous Articles