Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s new driver Connor Zilisch reacts after 4th win of the season in ARCA

NASCAR driver Connor Zilisch drove down victory lane at the Michigan International Speedway for the fourth time in the 2024 season. With this win, Zilisch maintains his 100% win ratio as he has won all four races he has started in the ARCA Menards Series.

Connor Zilisch, a development driver for Trackhouse Racing, has a unique agreement that allows him to compete on multiple racing platforms. His commitments include racing in the Truck Series for Spire Motorsports, the zMAX CARS Tour, the Trans-Am Series with Silver Hare Racing, and the IMSA SportsCar Championship for Era Motorsport.

Zilisch emerged victorious in the Henry Ford Health at Michigan, only 0.701 seconds ahead of the #2 Chevrolet of Andres Perez. Following his win, Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s Xfinity driver said(via a post on Arca Menard's X):

"I'm just so grateful to have so many people surrounding me. You know, Silver Hare Racing on the car. They've done so much for me in my career. This Pinnacle Racing group team, man, we've been firing on all cylinders lately and It just means so much to win here. My first big track and this one's definitely special."

On being asked whether he was relying on his mirrors or his spotter, as the #2 of Perez chased him down, Connor Zilisch said:

"I was just relying on Derek Kneeland up top. He's the man. We're undefeated this year and it means a lot to have him up there. You know, I'm just so grateful for everyone at this team. Pinnacle racing group, man. It's been one hell of a year for sure, and I'm looking forward to the rest of it."

Zilisich has landed a full-time contract with JR Motorsports, piloting the #88 Chevrolet in the Xfinity Series. Dale Earnhardt Jr. has been impressed by Zilisch's skill and track records and has expressed his excitement to see the 18-year-old behind the wheel of the #88 car.

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"He has something that cannot be taught" - Max Papis backs Connor Zilisch as a rare breed of drivers

Former Formula One driver Max Papis expressed his belief in Connor Zilisch's exceptional racing talent during a recent appearance on the "Dale Jr. Download" podcast.

Soon after Zilisch turned 18, JR Motorsports, co-owned by Dale Jr. announced him for a full-time contract in the 2025 season. The two-time 24 Hours of Daytona champion shared his thoughts on Zilisch and said (via "Dirty Mo Media" on X):

"Connor has something that cannot be taught, that is, racing intellect. Speed comes from god, what makes a real champion is the ability of using the processor, that is up here [brain]. 40% [is] for driving and 60% for everything else. I've seen that in Connor," Papis said [at 00:10].

Zilisch has competed in two races in the Truck Series thus far in the 2024 season. He secured a top-five finish at COTA and placed 29th in Richmond last weekend following a DNF.