Connor Zilisch: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

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Debut seasons can get rough, but 34th in points and 9 DNFs are just indications of how bad the 2026 season has been for Trackhouse Racing’s rookie Connor Zilisch.

NASCAR News / Yardbarker / August 25

Carson Hocevar slumping at the wrong time in NASCAR's season

Hocevar, who will now have to claw his way back into title contention, can't afford many, if any, sub-30th place finishes in the Chase if he wants to have a shot at winning the championship.

Denny Hamlin expecting 'chaos' in NASCAR's regular-season finale at Daytona

NASCAR to return to Coronado, race on another military base

Denny Hamlin clinches No. 1 Chase seed, NASCAR Chase field almost set after Loudon

The 'NASCAR Cup Series winners' quiz

NASCAR News / EssentiallySports / August 24

'I’m So F***ing Horrible'- Chevy Rookie Blames Himself After Falling Victim to New Hampshire Tragedy

A lot has been said about Connor Zilisch’s bright future over the past week. Currently driving for Trackhouse Racing, Zilisch was recently confirmed as Hendrick Motorsports’ new driver for 2028 and beyond, putting one of NASCAR’s most highly touted young talents in the lineup of one of the sport’s most legendary teams.

NASCAR News / EssentiallySports / August 22

'Hasn’t Been His Fault'- Chase Elliott Defends Connor Zilisch’s Rookie Season With Honest Truth on HMS Arrival

Connor Zilisch’s rookie season has been a nightmare for him. Placed 34th in standings, with eight DNFs, there’s little to cheer for him. Yet amid his lowest point of his career so far, he’s bagged a big opportunity to make amends to his rookie year slump.

NASCAR News / Yardbarker / August 21

Jeff Gordon says this trait made it easy for Hendrick Motorsports to sign Connor Zilisch

All week, the talk in the NASCAR garage prior to the race weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway has been about Hendrick Motorsports' signing of Connor Zilisch for the 2028 season, which was announced Monday and made official Tuesday.

Connor Zilisch didn't want to do Justin Marks wrong while looking for new opportunity

Tristan McKee feels 'more comfortable' after NASCAR debut; fast early at New Hampshire

NASCAR's Truck Series isn't what it used to be for Christian Eckes

Layne Riggs wins pole for NASCAR Truck Series race at New Hampshire

The 'NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 winners' quiz

NASCAR News / Yardbarker / August 19

Connor Zilisch didn't want to do Justin Marks wrong while looking for new opportunity

Connor Zilisch won't be behind the wheel of the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet until 2028, but he can rest easy over the next 16 months without worrying about his future.

Justin Marks says Connor Zilisch's move to Hendrick Motorsports wasn't unexpected

Rick Hendrick reveals what Hendrick Motorsports plans to do with Corey Day

The 'NASCAR Cup Series winners' quiz

NASCAR News / Yardbarker / August 18

Rick Hendrick reveals what Hendrick Motorsports plans to do with Corey Day

Day won't be jumping to the NASCAR Cup Series in 2028, but Hendrick Motorsports still has plans for the 20-year-old from Clovis, California.

Report: NASCAR won't race on streets of Chicago in 2027

What the NASCAR Cup Series Chase grid looks like after Richmond

NASCAR Cook Out 400 takeaways: Joey Logano's late-season surge continues with nail-biting Richmond win

The 'NASCAR Cup Series winners' quiz

NASCAR News / Yardbarker / August 17

Justin Marks says Connor Zilisch's move to Hendrick Motorsports wasn't unexpected

When the 2027 NASCAR Cup Series season ends, so too will the short-lived partnership between Connor Zilisch and Trackhouse Racing.

Chase Briscoe looks like championship threat again this season

Joey Logano's message to competitors ahead of the Chase: 'Here we come'

Hendrick Motorsports gets an A+, Trackhouse an F for Connor Zilisch move

What the NASCAR Cup Series Chase grid looks like after Richmond

The 'NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 winners' quiz

NASCAR News / Field Level Media / August 17

Connor Zilisch joining Hendrick Motorsports for 2028 season

NASCAR rookie Connor Zilisch signed a multiyear deal on Monday to drive the No. 48 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports starting in the 2028 season. Zilisch,

NASCAR News / Yardbarker / August 17

Hendrick Motorsports gets an A+, Trackhouse an F for Connor Zilisch move

It's hard not to see this move as a massive win for HMS.

What the NASCAR Cup Series Chase grid looks like after Richmond

NASCAR Cook Out 400 takeaways: Joey Logano's late-season surge continues with nail-biting Richmond win

Kaden Honeycutt wins NASCAR Truck Series race at Richmond, earning long-awaited second win

The 'NASCAR Cup Series winners' quiz

NASCAR News / Yardbarker / August 10

Uneventful day, strong Iowa run is just what Connor Zilisch needed

Zilisch hadn't finished inside the top 20 on an oval in NASCAR Cup Series competition since Texas on May 3.

Ty Gibbs is a championship threat a year after missing NASCAR's postseason

Kyle Larson is again a victim of NASCAR's championship hangover

NASCAR Iowa Corn 350 takeaways: Ty Gibbs fends off Christopher Bell for Iowa win

The 'NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 winners' quiz

NASCAR News / Yardbarker / August 4

Off weekend helped Zilisch get refreshed ahead of stretch run

Off weekend helped Connor Zilisch get refreshed ahead of stretch run to close rookie year

Zilisch's rookie season in the NASCAR Cup Series has been a rough one, but the 20-year-old rookie is feeling refreshed after an off-week fishing trip as he prepares to head to Iowa Speedway for Sunday's Iowa Corn 350.

Carson Brown: NASCAR O'Reilly Series debut was 'a long time coming'

RCR development driver Carson Brown making NASCAR O'Reilly Series debut at Iowa

Numbers point to Denny Hamlin having edge over Tyler Reddick in race for No. 1 seed in NASCAR's Chase

The 'NASCAR Cup Series winners' quiz

NASCAR News / Yardbarker / August 1

If Zilisch leaves Trackhouse, could Chastain, van Gisbergen follow?

If Connor Zilisch leaves Trackhouse, could Ross Chastain, Shane van Gisbergen follow?

Zilisch was seen as the future of Trackhouse Racing, but it looks like he may end up becoming the future of Hendrick Motorsports instead.

Soon-to-be 16-year-old readying for NASCAR debut at Richmond

Christopher Bell catching fire at the right time in 2026 NASCAR season

How confident Cup Series drivers should be in race for final Chase spots

Jimmie Johnson won't regret 'second go' at NASCAR retirement

Jeff Gordon reveals question he regretted not asking Dale Earnhardt

NASCAR News / Yardbarker / July 28

NASCAR exec explains decision not to penalize Noah Gragson for hitting Connor Zilisch under caution

Noah Gragson won't be penalized for hitting Connor Zilisch under caution in Sunday's Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis.

Trackhouse Racing letting Connor Zilisch walk would be a dereliction of duty

NASCAR wants to shorten cautions and is having conversations about stage breaks

Is Carson Hocevar a legit NASCAR title contender?

NASCAR Cup Series drivers most in need of upcoming off week

The 'NASCAR Hall of Fame drivers' quiz

NASCAR News / Yardbarker / July 23

Three candidates to replace Alex Bowman at Hendrick Motorsports in 2028

With the news that Alex Bowman will retire at the end of 2027, Hendrick Motorsports' No. 48 will be vacant and in need of a driver for the 2028 NASCAR Cup Series season.

Bowman explains top reasons for his impending retirement from NASCAR

Like Dale Earnhardt Jr. before him, Bowman won't retire on his own terms

Dale Jr. afraid to see what happens to Josh Berry amid 'crappy' outlook

Rusty Wallace reveals which NASCAR team asked him to drive this year

Chris Lawson: Chance to win $1M will influence strategy for Todd Gilliland

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NASCAR News / Yardbarker / July 7

Connor Zilisch: Learning opportunities stunted when 'you don't get to race at all'

Zilisch has only finished inside the top 20 twice this year on ovals and has a total of seven DNFs.

Connor Zilisch crashes on Lap 1 in NASCAR Cup race at Chicagoland

25 years later, the 2001 Pepsi 400 stands as NASCAR's greatest moment

Toyota's dominance, Chevy, Ford's struggles show how NASCAR ebbs and flows

Racing was excellent, traffic issues not so in NASCAR's return to Chicagoland

What the NASCAR Cup Series Chase bubble looks like after Chicagoland

The 'NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 winners' quiz

NASCAR News / Yardbarker / July 5

Connor Zilisch crashes on Lap 1 in NASCAR Cup race at Chicagoland

Connor Zilisch's NASCAR Series rookie season took a slight turn for the better last week at Sonoma before taking a turn for the worse on Sunday.

Brandon Jones beats Chase Elliott to win NASCAR O'Reilly Series race at Chicagoland in OT

What the NASCAR O'Reilly Series Chase bubble looks like after Chicagoland

Tyler Reddick on losing NASCAR points lead: 'That's racing'

Austin Dillon commends Austin Hill but doesn't reveal his NASCAR Cup future

Denny Hamlin: Return of Chase puts NASCAR's title fight back in drivers' hands

NASCAR News / Yardbarker / July 1

Connor Zilisch's first NASCAR Cup top 10 'something to be proud of'

Laughter might be the best medicine, but for NASCAR Cup Series rookie Connor Zilisch, a seventh-place finish in the June 28 race at Sonoma Raceway might as well be a miracle drug after a rough first half of his rookie campaign.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. reveals potential return of Chicago Street Course on 2027 NASCAR schedule

Penske crew chief Brian Wilson understands frustration around Ford's NASCAR struggles

Why Dodge's return to the NASCAR Cup Series may be delayed

Three big questions ahead of NASCAR's return to Chicagoland

The 'NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 winners' quiz

NASCAR News / Yardbarker / June 27

Connor Zilisch's day at Sonoma ends with runner-up finish

Connor Zilisch's topsy-turvy day at Sonoma ends with runner-up finish

Had the bad luck that has followed Connor Zilisch during his rookie season in the NASCAR Cup Series not followed him down to the O'Reilly Series, he may have won Saturday's O'Reilly Series race at Sonoma Raceway.

Shane van Gisbergen dominates NASCAR O'Reilly Series race at Sonoma

Bubba Wallace crashes during NASCAR Cup qualifying at Sonoma

Ryan Blaney fastest in NASCAR Cup practice at Sonoma

The 'NASCAR Hall of Fame drivers' quiz

NASCAR News / Yardbarker / June 16

Connor Zilisch warns of chaotic restarts at Naval Base Coronado

The first NASCAR race at a new racetrack can be something to behold. Depending on the venue, it can also be a spectacle not of a field's driving acumen, but of chaos.

Three big questions ahead of NASCAR at Naval Base Coronado

NASCAR insider drops not-so-subtle hint about Josh Berry's Wood Brothers replacement

Seeding set for NASCAR's second In-Season Challenge

The 'NASCAR Cup Series winners' quiz

NASCAR News / Yardbarker / June 7

Connor Zilisch crashes twice in first nine laps of NASCAR race at Michigan

Zilisch has had a rough season, and it only got worse in the opening laps of Sunday's FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway.

What the NASCAR Truck Series Chase bubble looks like after Michigan

NASCAR FireKeepers Casino 400 preview: Favorite, underdog, top storylines

Denny Hamlin won pole for NASCAR Cup race at Michigan but will drop to rear to start race

The 'NASCAR Cup Series winners' quiz

NASCAR News / Yardbarker / May 17

Connor Zilisch impresses in first NASCAR All-Star Race

Connor Zilisch ran arguably the best race of his young NASCAR Cup Series career in Sunday's NASCAR All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway.

Denny Hamlin dominates NASCAR All-Star Race at Dover, wins $1M

Why Chase Briscoe was the NASCAR All-Star Race runner-up

Glaring problem for NASCAR All-Star Race rears head early

NASCAR All-Star Race takeaways: New format disappoints

The 'Daytona 500 winners' quiz

NASCAR News / Yardbarker / May 9

Connor Zilisch wins NASCAR O'Reilly Series race at Watkins Glen with last-lap pass on Jesse Love

Connor Zilisch made just enough mistakes to make the run to the finish in Saturday's NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Watkins Glen one for the ages.

Zilisch thought mistake ended day at Watkins Glen before winning charge

What NASCAR O'Reilly Series Chase bubble looks like after Watkins Glen

Shane van Gisbergen wins pole for Go Bowling at The Glen

Watkins Glen still evokes warm feelings for Chase Elliott

NASCAR Go Bowling at The Glen preview: Top storylines

NASCAR News / Yardbarker / April 11

Bristol win proves Connor Zilisch, Rodney Childers both still got it

Rodney Childers hadn't won a NASCAR race atop the pit box since Richmond in August 2022, when he was the crew chief for Kevin Harvick.

Connor Zilisch beats Kyle Larson, Brent Crews to win NASCAR O'Reilly Series race at Bristol

Ryan Blaney doesn't believe tires will be unpredictable in Food City 500

Brent Crews' gutsy Bristol drive nets third-place finish, heartbreaking loss

Late caution, pit decision derails Kyle Larson's dominant race at Bristol

After Martinsville victory, Chase Elliott says the pressure isn't off No. 9 team

The 'NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 winners since 2000' quiz

NASCAR News / Yardbarker / April 11

Connor Zilisch wins NASCAR O'Reilly Series race at Bristol

Connor Zilisch beats Kyle Larson, Brent Crews to win NASCAR O'Reilly Series race at Bristol

Connor Zilisch capitalized on mistakes from Brent Crews and Kyle Larson in the closing laps of Saturday's NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway, pulling away to win the Suburban Propane 300.

Bristol win proves Zilisch, Rodney Childers both still got it

Brent Crews' gutsy Bristol drive nets third-place finish, heartbreaking loss

Late caution, pit decision derails Kyle Larson's dominant race at Bristol

Ryan Blaney doesn't believe tires will be unpredictable in Food City 500

NASCAR Food City 500 preview: Favorite, underdog, top storylines

NASCAR News / Yardbarker / February 28

Connor Zilisch won't seek out a conversation with Corey Day after COTA wreck

It's the second week in a row that Day, a 20-year-old NOAPS rookie driver, was the center of attention in the NOAPS race for the wrong reasons.

Connor Zilisch calls Corey Day an 'absolute hack' after late crash at COTA

Layne Riggs holds off Ty Majeski to win NASCAR Truck Series race at St. Petersburg

NASCAR driver Tyler Reif hospitalized after Truck Series race at St. Petersburg

The 'Daytona 500 winners' quiz

Motor Sports News / Yardbarker / January 25

Heavy fog triggers longest caution in Rolex 24 history

Felipe Nasr and Porsche Penske Motorsport won the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway for the third consecutive year on Sunday, but it was Mother Nature who arguably had the most impressive achievement in the 24-hour endurance race.

Dale Jarrett knows who he'd like to see inducted into NASCAR Hall of Fame next

Carl Edwards says Kurt Busch 'paved the way' for him in NASCAR

How huge winter storm is impacting NASCAR

NASCAR News / Yardbarker / January 23

Connor Zilisch won't have any competition for NASCAR Rookie of the Year

Zilisch would've been the runaway favorite to win the NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year award in 2026 anyway, but he's assuredly the favorite with less than a month until the season officially begins on Feb. 15.

How 'Handsome Harry' Gant earned NASCAR Hall of Fame induction

Greg Biffle to be honored by two NASCAR teams at Daytona 500

How 'weird' Clash at Bowman Gray differs from a normal NASCAR weekend

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