NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Connor Zilisch. Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

Connor Zilisch drops not-so-subtle hint about his NASCAR future

By Samuel Stubbs | Last updated Jul 25, 2025 11:03 PM ET

Connor Zilisch is the hottest prospect in NASCAR at the moment, and it's widely speculated that he could move up to the NASCAR Cup Series in 2026.

The 19-year-old driver seemed to confirm his NASCAR future during a news conference at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Friday.

"Next year, I think my best chance to win a race would be on a road course," Zilisch said. "The practice starts now, and that's going to be good for me."

Connor Zilisch was answering a question about his upcoming Cup start at Watkins Glen and gaining experience, and he said something in passing that caught my attention: "Next year, I think my best chance to win a race would be on a road course."

Really makes you think. pic.twitter.com/3qTxLvSFMy
— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) July 25, 2025

Zilisch is in the midst of his rookie season in the NASCAR Xfinity Series season, where he's won a series-leading four races and is second in the standings despite missing the May 3 race at Texas Motor Speedway.

When it was announced that Daniel Suarez would leave Trackhouse Racing at the conclusion of the 2025 season, Zilisch — who is a Trackhouse development driver — immediately became the heavy favorite to take over Suarez's Cup Series ride.

Zilisch has already made three Cup Series starts with Trackhouse this season, with a best finish of 11th coming at EchoPark Speedway on June 28. His next Cup Series start is slated for Aug. 10 at Watkins Glen — the same track where he won in his Xfinity Series debut in 2024.

Zilisch has already proved himself to be a road course ace, and while winning as a Cup Series rookie is difficult, it wouldn't be surprising if his first Cup win came at a road course in 2026.

Samuel Stubbs

Hailing from the same neck of the woods as NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin, Samuel has been covering NASCAR for Yardbarker since February 2024. He has been a member of the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) since October of 2024. When he’s not writing about racing, Samuel covers Arkansas Razorback basketball for Yardbarker

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