Connor Zilisch Expands NASCAR Cup Schedule with Two New Races

Connor Zilisch is adding two more events to his NASCAR Cup Series schedule with Trackhouse Racing next season. The 18-year-old driver, backed by Red Bull and seen as a rising talent in the sport, will compete at Atlanta’s newly christened EchoPark Speedway on June 28 and return to Watkins Glen for the August 10 Cup race.

These entries mark an expansion of his program, reflecting the team’s commitment to giving him additional seat time at the highest level of stock car racing.

Trackhouse Racing made the announcement after Zilisch’s start to the year drew attention. Zilisch first drove the No. 87 Chevrolet in his Cup debut at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) earlier this season, where he qualified an impressive 14th.

His race day ended ahead of schedule, however, after getting caught in a crash with teammate Daniel Suarez, which left him 37th in the final results after 49 laps completed. Just weeks later, he got his first taste of Cup oval action during the Coca-Cola 600.

Zilisch started that race 33rd and managed to nurse his car home to a 23rd place finish after a spin involving Jimmie Johnson, with only minor damage.

Watkins Glen holds special meaning for Zilisch as it’s where he scored his first career NASCAR Xfinity Series win. Returning to the road course for his third Cup start adds another milestone to his development.

The upcoming Atlanta race is also notable because of the track’s recent rebranding following a seven-year naming rights agreement, now going by EchoPark Speedway.

Currently, Zilisch sits fifth in the NASCAR Xfinity Series regular season standings. He already has a playoff berth secured thanks to an earlier victory at COTA, despite missing a race at Texas.

That absence came after Zilisch suffered a minor back injury when he crashed from the lead late at Talladega. Since returning, Zilisch has continued to impress on ovals with runner-up finishes at both Charlotte and Nashville, showcasing steady improvement as the year progresses.

After announcing his expanded Cup schedule, Zilisch shared his appreciation for the chance to race twice more at the premier level. He said nothing compares to gathering experience in the Cup Series and thanked both Red Bull and Trackhouse Racing for making the opportunity possible.

Zilisch is expected to drive Trackhouse’s fourth entry at both Atlanta and Watkins Glen, as he continues to split time between NASCAR’s Cup and Xfinity Series. He will look to add to his growing list of accomplishments and further strengthen his case as one of the sport’s bright young stars.

Fans will be watching to see how he performs against the top drivers as his Cup schedule grows.

Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.