A rising NASCAR driver is set for another major moment in his career. Connor Zilisch will make his NASCAR Cup Series debut in 2025.
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Zilisch, the full-time driver of the No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet in the Xfinity Series, will pull double duty during the March weekend at Circuit of the Americas in Texas. He will make his scheduled start for JR Motorsports on Saturday, March 1, and then he will make his Cup Series debut on Sunday, March 2.
Zilisch will drive the No. 87 Chevrolet Camaro for Trackhouse Racing as he takes on the biggest names in the sport. He will have Red Bull as his primary partner as the beverage company returns to NASCAR.
I never thought I’d get the opportunity to race in the @NASCAR Cup Series, let alone debut at 18 years old. I’m so fortunate to be surrounded by great companies like @redbull and @TeamTrackhouse. COTA is only 38 days away, let’s go!👊🏼 pic.twitter.com/CDeihIJIG8
— Connor Zilisch (@ConnorZilisch) January 23, 2025
The North Carolina native joined the Red Bull family of athletes last summer while competing in multiple stock car racing series. Red Bull announced the news on Sept. 13, 2024, the same day Zilisch won the ARCA Menards Series race at Watkins Glen International. One day later, he won his Xfinity Series debut.
"I was surprised when they presented me my Red Bull helmet and hat last summer and doubly surprised when they told me I would make my Cup debut in the No. 87 with a Red Bull paint scheme," Zilisch said in a press release.
"Red Bull is going to bring a lot more eyes to NASCAR and I think everyone will win when that happens."
The location of the Cup Series debut is fitting. This is the same track where he made his national NASCAR series debut last season while driving in the Craftsman Truck Series for Spire Motorsports.
This was a memorable outing for Zilisch. He set a track record and won the pole in the No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado. He led the field to the green flag and then missed Turn 1, which dropped him to the rear of the field.
Zilisch fell one lap down due to a sway bar issue that kept him on pit road. He still managed to work his way through the field despite spinning once and receiving two pass-through penalties. He ultimately finished fourth in his NASCAR debut.
One year later, he will now return to the Texas road course for another major debut.
