“That probably is a big differentiator” - Trackhouse owner highlights Connor Zilisch's exceptional abilities amid Dale Jr.'s announcement

With an impressive performance in multiple motorsports disciplines at a young age, Trackhouse Racing developmental driver Connor Zilisch earned a full-time ride in the Xfinity Series for Dale Earnhardt Jr. owned JR Motorsports in 2025. Amid Zilisch’s announcement, Trackhouse owner Justin Marks explained the benefits behind signing 18-year-old Zilisch to Trackhouse.

Trackhouse signed Connor Zilisch as a developmental driver on a multi-year contract earlier this year to race in select races in the Xfinity Series, Truck Series, as well as ARCA, CARS Tour, Trans-Am, and IMSA.

On the JRM’s 2025 driver announcement episode of “The Dale Jr. Download” podcast, Justin Marks explained how Zilisch’s exceptional ability to quickly adjust to different race tracks makes him different from the rest of the talent pool in a highly competitive motorsports environment.

Explaining the reason behind signing Connor Zilisch at Trackhouse, Marks said:

“We'll sort of learn as we go a little bit. I think one of the things that really attracted us to Connor is that his rate of adaptability. That's one of the things I think that probably is a big differentiator when you're looking at the entire talent pool, just how fast somebody can be in a new situation, learn the race car, learn the racetrack when they haven't been in that situation before.”

The 18-year-old American racing prodigy has impressed everyone at each stop on his diverse racing schedule this year. He won the prestigious sports car races like the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring in the LMP2 class in his first attempt in 2024, along with collecting seven wins within the ARCA platform, which shows his impressive adaptability to different types of circuits.

Zilisch claimed the pole in his NASCAR Truck Series debut at Circuit of the Americas in March. He finished fourth in the event.

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Connor Zilisch is thrilled to have the opportunity to work with his hero, Dale Jr.

JR Motorsports announced on Wednesday that Zilisch will drive the #88 Chevrolet full-time in the 2025 Xfinity season, starting with the season-opening race at Daytona International Speedway.

Expressing his excitement for the opportunity to drive for JR Motorsports and to work with his childhood hero Dale Earnhardt Jr., Zilisch said (via team release):

“I am so grateful and can’t wait to show them that their trust in me is warranted. It is mind-blowing to think that I will be driving for JR Motorsports and Dale Earnhardt Jr., who is one of my heroes. I’m ready to put in the work.”

Before running full-time next season, Connor Zilisch will make his Xfinity Series debut with JRM at Watkins Glen International in September as part of a four-race deal. He will then compete in three oval races before the season ends.