Connor Zilisch will make his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut on Sept. 14 at Watkins Glen International as pilot of the No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet after his 18th birthday, the team announced Tuesday.
Zilisch, the 2024 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona winner, will additionally race at Kansas Speedway (Sept. 28), Homestead-Miami Speedway (Oct. 26) and Phoenix Raceway (Nov. 9).
RELATED: Xfinity Series schedule
“We couldn’t be happier to welcome Connor into the JR Motorsports family and to give him an opportunity behind the wheel of our No. 88 Chevrolet,” JRM CEO Kelley Earnhardt Miller said in a press release. “Connor is an extremely talented young man and we can’t wait to see what he can do when he gets to the track with us at Watkins Glen.”
A Mooresville, North Carolina, native, Zilisch, 17, has won multiple national karting championships and set track records at six different venues in his first year in the Sports Car Club of America in 2021. He made his ARCA Menards Series debut in 2023, starting on the front row in the No. 28 Chevrolet at Watkins Glen and finishing runner-up on Aug. 18. Zilisch also signed a multiyear agreement with Trackhouse Racing in January as a developmental driver.
“It’s a dream come true to have the opportunity to race in the Xfinity Series with JR Motorsports for select races this year,” Zilisch said. “I have a lot to learn, considering that I’ve never raced in stock cars on the big tracks, but there’s no better team to learn with than JRM. I can’t thank everyone at Chevrolet enough for all their support in helping me get to this point, and I can’t wait to give my all to make the most of this opportunity.”
Additional details regarding partners for Zilisch and the No. 88 team will come at a later date.