Why can’t 17-year-old NASCAR sensation Connor Zilisch race at Chicago? Real reason explored

Connor Zilisch, a 17-year-old racing prodigy, signed a development deal with Trackhouse Racing at the beginning of 2024. However, the Mooresville native cannot race full-time in NASCAR's premier racing series or on NASCAR's superspeedways because of his young age.

As reported by Autoweek, NASCAR permits a driver to compete as young as 16 but only on road courses and tracks that are a mile or less. A race car driver needs to be at least 18 to be able to run full-time in the pioneer racing series of NASCAR. This is why Connor Zilisch will not be able to race as a full-time driver in Chicago or any other national-level NASCAR race this year.

As of today, Connor Zilisch drives part-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for Spire Motorsports and in the Xfinity Series for JR Motorsports, a team co-owned by Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Nevertheless, Connor Zilisch has earned an opportunity to serve as the spotter for Parker Kligerman in the Loop 110, and Ross Chastain in the Grant Park 165 at the Chicago road course on July 6 and July 7, respectively. Kligerman will drive the #48 machine for Big Machine Racing whereas Chastain will drive the #1 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Trackhouse Racing.

"I assume next year I’ll be settled down," Connor Zilisch hopes to find a permanent team next year

Connor Zilisch hopes that 2024 will be the last year where he has to bounce from one car to another. Reflecting on the opportunities with Trackhouse Racing, Spire Motorsports, and JR Motorsports, the budding speedster said in an interview reported by motorsport.com,

“I was super-fortunate to get this opportunity because this is probably the last year where I’m bouncing from car to car. I assume next year I’ll be settled down in one series, racing for a championship over the year."

Zilisch has made two starts in the NASCAR ARCA Menards Series, with his most recent victory coming in the Atlas 150 at Iowa Speedway, where he held off Joe Gibbs Racing development driver William Sawalich. Here is a clip of Zilisch darting towards the finishing line:

Zilisch's car was the fastest in his debut Truck Series attempt at the Circuit of The Americas, where he finished 4th. Besides a win in a CARS Late Model race at Hickory Motor Speedway, he also emerged victorious in the LMP2 class in the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring 12 this year. Both were his first attempts at the prestigious endurance races.

"It’s definitely been a surprise to me,” Connor Zilisch said speaking of his year so far. “It’s been a picture-perfect start to the year in all honestly, being able to win as many races as I have."

Zilisch's first stock car win came at Dover Motor Speedway in April, where he held off runner-up Gio Ruggiero by 0.986 seconds. Next on his schedule are three Truck Series races at Richmond Raceway on August 10, Bristol Motor Speedway on September 19, and Martinsville Speedway on November 1.