Trackhouse Taps Young Talent Connor Zilisch for Coca-Cola 600 Entry
Trackhouse Racing has announced that 17-year-old Connor Zilisch will make his NASCAR Cup Series debut in the prestigious Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 26, highlighting a strategic move to invest in next-generation talent. The Mooresville, North Carolina native will pilot the No. 71 Chevrolet as part of a third entry fielded by Trackhouse with support from Spire Motorsports.
This debut marks a significant career milestone for Zilisch, who also competes full-time in the Trans Am TA2 Series and select IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship races under the Chevrolet banner. Zilisch, a well-regarded development driver, joined the Trackhouse development program last October and has been under close watch by industry insiders for his raw pace and racecraft maturity beyond his years.
“Connor is one of the most promising young drivers in motorsport right now,” said Trackhouse founder and team owner Justin Marks. “The Coca-Cola 600 is a demanding race, but we believe in his potential and want to give him the platform to showcase his abilities.”
Trackhouse will utilize one of the three entries allocated to Spire Motorsports’ charter, following a pattern seen across the 2024 season where Trackhouse has leveraged partnerships to integrate emerging talent. With Zilisch under a Chevrolet developmental contract and Trackhouse’s expanding footprint within the GM ecosystem, the move aligns with broader OEM strategies to cultivate younger drivers within manufacturer-aligned teams.
In preparation, Zilisch is also set to make his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut with Spire Motorsports on May 24 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, a key tune-up to build seat time on the same track ahead of his Cup Series debut.
The decision to debut Zilisch in the Coca-Cola 600—NASCAR’s longest race—signals Trackhouse’s aggressive approach to talent development. It also underscores the widening pathway for young drivers moving through sports car and grassroots racing into NASCAR’s top-tier series, particularly under manufacturer-led development pipelines like Chevrolet’s.
For FMCG brands in motorsport sponsorship, rising stars like Zilisch offer a compelling narrative and brand alignment opportunity. As youth viewership continues to be a strategic priority, partnering with emerging drivers could unlock long-term