Connor Zilisch will make his NASCAR Cup Series debut Sunday in the Circuit of the Americas (1:30 p.m. CT, FOX).
Zilisch started racing go-karts when he was five. He moved up to the ARCA Menards Series in 2023 and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and Xfinity Series in 2024.
Here’s what you need to know about Connor Zilisch, 18, ahead of his first NASCAR Cup Series race:
Connor Zilisch’s NASCAR Xfinity Series stats
The North Carolina native was on the pole, led 45 of 90 laps and won in his Xfinity Series debut at Watkins-Glen in 2024. He became the first driver since 2021 to win his Xfinity Series debut. Ty Gibbs won his first Xfinity race (Daytona) in 2021.
Zilisch also captured a pole in his first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race in 2024 and won at the Rolex 24 in Daytona and the Twelve Hours of Sebring.
In two Xfinity Series races in 2025 Zilisch finished 27th at Daytona and 34th at Atlanta.
Connor Zilisch will race for Trackhouse Racing at COTA?
Connor Zilisch will make his NASCAR Cup Series debut with Trackhouse Racing in the No. 87 Chevy. Red Bull will provide sponsor support for Zilisch.
Zilisch became the fourth Trackhouse Racing driver set to race at COTA in the 37-car field joining Ross Chastain, Daniel Suarez and Shane van Gisbergen.
Chastain is coming off an eighth-place finish last week at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Connor Zilisch can become youngest NASCAR Cup Series race winner
Connor Zilisch said this week in media interviews his goal is to become the youngest driver to win a NASCAR Cup Series race.
Three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Joey Logano of Team Penske holds the record for being the youngest Cup winner at 19. Zilisch turns 19 in July.
Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on X @MikeOrganWriter.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Connor Zilisch: What to know about teen making NASCAR Cup debut at COTA
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