Connor Zilisch

About

American professional racing driver who has rapidly ascended through the ranks of motorsport, taking LMP2 victories at the 2024 Rolex 24 At Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring. After transitioning to stock cars, he competed in ARCA and the Truck Series before running the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity season with JR Motorsports as a Trackhouse development driver and making select Cup starts. He was later signed to a multi-year deal with Trackhouse for 2026. 

Before Fame

He began competing in go-kart when he was only five years old, around 2011. He remained in karting for ten years, during which time he won the Karting Academy Trophy in 2020. He then transitioned to cars both in the U.S. and internationally, securing his first win at the Mini Rok World Championship in South Garda, Italy.

Trivia

In 2020, he made history when he became the first-ever American to win the CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy. In 2021, he was named the SCCA Jim Fitzgerald Rookie of the Year. The following year, he was declared the Mazda MX-5 Cup Rookie of the Year.

Family Life

His mother, Janice Kerr, competed on the Canadian women's national artistic gymnastics team and, among many other achievements, was honored as the Southeastern Conference H. Boyd McWhorter Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 1990. His father, Jim Zilisch, is a racing enthusiast with profound motorsport knowledge who has actively supported him throughout his career.

Associated With

Dale Earnhardt Jr. served as his crew-chief during the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series season, which culminated in his victory, an entry into the playoffs, and the 100th win milestone for JR Motorsports. In early May 2025, after sustaining a back injury in a crash at Talladega, he was temporarily replaced by Kyle Larson, who went on to win the race for their team.