Connor Zilisch will make his NASCAR Cup Series debut driving the No. 87 Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing at Circuit of The Americas, the team announced Thursday.
Zilisch, a highly touted prospect and the team’s development driver, will have primary sponsorship from Red Bull, which joins Trackhouse as a primary sponsor in 2025 after a long absence from the sport. Red Bull will also sponsor Shane van Gisbergen in five NASCAR Cup Series races, rejoining the series after sponsoring Red Bull Racing from 2007-11.
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The 18-year-old Zilisch made his NASCAR national series debut at COTA in March 2024 in the Craftsman Truck Series with Spire Motorsports, storming to the pole position and ultimately finishing fourth. Zilisch later won his Xfinity Series debut with JR Motorsports in September at Watkins Glen International, solidifying his reputation early. At age 18, he is set to become the youngest driver to make a Cup start since Joey Logano’s debut in 2008.
“I was surprised when they presented me my Red Bull helmet and hat last summer and doubly surprised when they told me I would make my Cup debut in the No. 87 with a Red Bull paint scheme,” Zilisch said in a release.
Zilisch will drive the No. 88 Chevrolet for the full 2025 Xfinity season with JRM, his first season-long campaign in one of NASCAR’s national series. In four starts in 2024, Zilisch earned three top-five finishes, placing fourth at both Kansas Speedway and Phoenix Raceway in addition to his Watkins Glen win. He additionally finished 12th at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
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Van Gisbergen is making the leap from Xfinity to Cup in 2025 for his own rookie campaign, driving the No. 88 Chevrolet for Trackhouse. SVG, who won his Cup debut at the Chicago Street Race in 2023, is no stranger to the Red Bull family.
“I have enjoyed a lot of new experiences and met a lot of new people since coming to NASCAR, but it is nice to be joined by Red Bull, who has been a big supporter of mine for many years back home,” van Gisbergen said in a release. “I’d love nothing more than to give Red Bull a victory as a way to thank them for joining myself, Connor and Trackhouse Racing.”
Red Bull will be featured on SVG’s car at the March 16 race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, July 13 at Sonoma Raceway, Aug. 3 at Iowa Speedway, Aug. 23 at Daytona International Speedway and Sept. 28 at Kansas.
“It’s an incredible chapter in the history of Trackhouse Racing to welcome Red Bull back to NASCAR,” Trackhouse founder and owner Justin Marks said in a release. “Red Bull is one of the most powerful brands in the world, and it’s an honor for us to embark on a partnership with such an iconic company.”
