Connor Zilisch Nabs a Full-Time Ride for 2025

What’s Happening?

Wednesday morning, via the Dale Jr. Download, Connor Zilisch and Justin Marks, co-owner of Trackhouse Racing, joined Dale Earnhardt Jr. to discuss their plans to bring the young superstar full-time for 2025. Zilisch will pilot the 88-car, the team’s original flagship car dating back to their 2008 Xfinity Series Debut.

• Connor Zilisch is one of the hottest developmental prospects in motorsports. Having signed a developmental contract with Trackhouse Racing, the young driver is expected to be a future NASCAR superstar. Beginning his racing career in go-karts, many consider him a road course expert; however, he has shown speed on ovals this season in the ARCA Menards Series, where he has won three races.
• Making an impact in the worldwide racing community in February, winning the 24 Hours of Daytona, many NASCAR fans have been excited to see Zilisch race full-time. Zilisch is set to make four Xfinity Series starts in the 88 this season, having become eligible to race in the series on his 17th birthday just this past month. These starts will be at Watkins Glen, Kansas, Homestead, and Phoenix. He has also made a start for Spire Motorsports in the Craftsman Truck Series at Circuit of The Americas, winning the poll and setting a track record. He is set to drive five more Truck Series races this season, including this weekend at Richmond.
• The team-up of JR Motorsports and Trackhouse Racing is part of Trackhouse’s continuing effort to join forces with other Chevrolet teams. This includes Shane Van Gisbergen driving for Kauling Racing full-time in the Xfinity Series and part-time in the Cup Series, as well as Zane Smith racing full-time for Spire Motorsports in the Cup Series this season.
• JRM has used the 88 car more recently as a part-time car for all-stars, rookies, and Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s year-to-year starts. Some questions about the team’s 2025 lineup are looming, with four full-time entries in 2024. This signing has already continued online speculation from industry insiders and fans about what a 2025 JR Motorsports lineup may look like.

What do you think about all this? Let us know on Discord or X what your take is, and don’t forget you can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and even YouTube.