Hailed as NASCAR’s next big superstar, Connor Zilisch could be on his way to joining JR Motorsports for a full-time ride in 2025. The 18-year-old driver is currently signed to Justin Marks’ Trackhosue Racing, but a deal could be struck between them and JRM to offer Zilisch a full-time opportunity.
Zilisch certainly has caught Dale Earnhardt Jr’s attention with his racing stints this year. It’s not just his promise in the stock car that has caught everyone’s attention, but his ability to compete in different disciplines of racing. He just wasn’t able to run a full schedule this season in NASCAR as he was not of age at the start of the season. National Series racing mandates drivers be 18 years of age or older to compete.
However, even before he turned 18, he already had plenty of opportunities lined up for him in the NASCAR Series. Zilisch made his National Series debut at COTA in the Truck Series; they allow drivers under 18 to race on shorter tracks, and in limited races. He grabbed the pole in his very first NASCAR start, finishing 4th in the race driving the No. 7 Spire Motorsports Truck.
Not only that, he will also make his Xfinity Series debut with JRM at Watkins Glen and has three more races lined up with Dale Jr’s team. But it seems like he could be well on his way to running a full season with JRM next year. According to a report by Sports Business Journal, both Trackhouse and JR Motorsports are currently in talks and finalizing the details on sponsorships. This move would groom Connor Zilisch for a potential Cup Series ride which Trackhouse Racing has been planning for a long time.
This story is developing…