Connor Zilisch, an 18-year-old prodigal racer, is set to attempt his second career NASCAR Cup Series start in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May. Zilisch will pilot the No. 87 Red Bull Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing in the event on May 25.
The driver, who has already won two races in his first 11 starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series is elated to have a shot at racing in one of NASCAR’s crown jewel events.
“It’s awesome to have the opportunity to race in one of NASCAR’s coolest events,” Zilisch said. “The Charlotte 600 is one of the most prestigious races in NASCAR. It’s going to be a physical and mental challenge because that race is so tough. I’m very appreciative for (Trackhouse owner and founder) Justin (Marks) and everyone at Red Bull for their support and turning this opportunity into a reality.”
The driver, who was born in 2006, is competing full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for JR Motorsports, where he is chasing Rookie of the Year honors and hopeful to collect a championship. Through the opening seven races of the season, Zilisch has a win, which came at Circuit of the Americas, and he sits seventh in the championship standings.
Qualifying has been a strong point for Zilisch, who has three poles in his first 11 NASCAR Xfinity Series starts, including a pole this past weekend at Martinsville Speedway, which leads you to believe if more than 40 entries show up for the Coca-Cola 600 that he’ll have a decent shot at locking into the field.
Zilisch made his anticipated NASCAR Cup Series debut at Circuit of the Americas on March 2, and he impressed out of the box by turning the third-fastest lap in his first NASCAR Cup Series practice session.
The young racer, who hails from Mooresville, NC, started 14th in his debut race, but found trouble in Turn 1 on the opening lap of the race thanks to Ross Chastain, his Trackhouse Racing teammate, over-shooting the corner and colliding with Chase Elliott.
In the skirmish, Zilisch would cut a tire down, and he would spend the majority of the day trying to get back into contention.
As Zilisch got near the top-10, Daniel Suarez, his other Trackhouse Racing teammate, lost control of his No. 99 Chevrolet and spun directly into his path. Zilisch would collide with Suarez, resulting in catastrophic damage to his No. 87 car, which ended his race early. He would be credited with a last-place 37th-place finish in his debut.
The young phenom will look for better luck in his second attempt at a NASCAR Cup Series event.
With the announcement of Zilisch’s second NASCAR Cup Series race of the 2025 season, Trackhouse Racing’s partnership with Red Bull has now extended to seven races, which will be split between Zilisch, and Shane van Gisbergen, who carried the colors at Las Vegas, and will have them again at Sonoma, Iowa, Daytona, and Kansas in the Fall.
