DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Nineteen-year-old Connor Zilisch will move to full-time NASCAR Cup Series competition with Trackhouse Racing in 2026, replacing Daniel Suarez, the team announced Saturday at Daytona International Speedway.
Zilisch, currently competing in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (formerly Xfinity Series) for JR Motorsports, has quickly ascended through the ranks of stock car racing. He is a developmental driver for Trackhouse and Chevrolet. The move marks a significant step for the young driver, who has demonstrated success across multiple racing disciplines.
“This day has been a dream of mine for a long time,” Zilisch said, according to a Trackhouse Racing statement. “Cup racing has been the goal since joining with Chevrolet and Trackhouse, and while I didn’t realize it would come this soon, I feel like I’m ready.”
Trackhouse Racing founder and owner Justin Marks expressed confidence in Zilisch’s potential. “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 added.
Zilisch will pilot the No. 88 Chevrolet, while Shane van Gisbergen, who drove the No. 88 in 2025, will switch to the No. 97 Chevrolet for the 2026 season. Ross Chastain will continue to drive the No. 1 Chevrolet. RFK Racing will utilize the No. 99 Chevrolet as a fourth entry for Corey LaJoie in the Daytona 500.
Prior to the Cup Series announcement, Zilisch had a successful 2025 season in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, securing 10 race wins with JR Motorsports. He will continue to run a partial schedule in the series alongside his full-time Cup Series commitments, sharing the No. 1 Chevrolet with Carson Kvapil, who ran full-time in 2025.
Zilisch’s racing background includes a decade of karting, including competition in Europe, and success in various American racing series. He won the 2024 Rolex 24 and 12 Hours of Sebring, five ARCA races, two NASCAR Truck Series poles, and a CARS Tour late model race. He also secured a victory in his O’Reilly Auto Parts Series debut at Watkins Glen International in 2024.
Hendrick Motorsports drivers Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, William Byron, and Alex Bowman are scheduled to combine for 10 starts in the No. 88 Chevrolet this season, with Rajah Caruth driving the remaining 23 events. Larson is slated to drive at Las Vegas (March 14), Bristol (April 11), and Texas (May 22). Elliott will take the wheel at Chicagoland (July 4) and Indianapolis (July 25).
