Connor Zilisch maintains his 100% win ratio in ARCA Series after winning the Michigan race

Soon after turning 18 on July 22, 2024, and becoming eligible to run on NASCAR's ovals larger than one mile, Connor Zilisch soared to victory again on Friday, August 16, at Michigan International Speedway. The #28 Pinnacle Racing Group wheelman proved his prowess by winning his fourth race in as many career starts in the ARCA Menards Series.

Zilisch is a development driver for Trackhouse Racing. The agreement allows him to compete in various racing platforms, including the NASCAR Xfinity Series for JR Motorsports, the Truck Series for Spire Motorsports, the Trans-Am Series for Silver Hare Racing, the IMSA SportsCar Championship for Era Motorsport, and the zMAX CARS Tour.

Here is a clip showing Zilisch darting toward the finishing line, holding off a fast-charging Tanner Gray, who drives for Joe Gibbs Racing.

Zilisch cleared pole sitter Andres Perez and took the lead for the first time on lap 8, but Gray passed him on lap 23. Over the next 13 laps, Zilisch continued tailing Gray. However, the ensuing restart gave the teenager exactly what he needed to beat the Joe Gibbs Racing driver.

Zilisch started from the bottom and, soon passed Gray, who had started alongside the PRG speedster. Reflecting on his race-winning move, Zilisch said in a post-race interview (via arcaracing.com):

"I was surprised when he took the top. I knew I just had to get a good jump."

The Charlotte native is expected to join JR Motorsports full-time next year. He will drive the No. 88 Xfinity car for the Chevy team jointly owned by automotive tycoon Rick Hendrick, NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr., and his sister Kelley Earnhardt Miller.

NASCAR vet opens up on Connor Zilisch's upcoming Xfinity Series venture

According to the 2014 Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick, JR Motorsports has "struck gold". He believes Connor Zilisch is an extremely talented race car driver awaiting greater heights of success in the days to come.

"I think with Trackhouse having Connor Zilisch, I mean they just have struck gold," Harvick said in a recent episode of His Happy Hour Podcast. "I think for them, they have a talent that is something you can’t teach. He’s got this natural ability to go out there and drive."

Connor Zilisch arrives at the NASCAR Truck Series XPEL 225 (Source: Imagn)

However, Harvick also mentioned what Zilisch needs to do to win races in the Xfinity Series.

"Now it's gonna be that next step of competition which always comes with, 'Alright, I can drive fast, but now how do I communicate with my team in order to let them understand what they need in the car to direct the car to be as fast as it can,'" he added.

Zilisch won the 24 hours of Daytona and the 12 hours of Sebring earlier this year. One of his biggest achievements is becoming the only American driver to win the Karting Academy Trophy.