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

Trackhouse Racing names 19-year-old phenom its new NASCAR Cup Series driver for 2026

By Samuel Stubbs | Last updated Aug 23, 2025 3:09 PM ET

Perhaps the worst-kept secret in the NASCAR garage has been officially revealed.

On Saturday at Daytona International Speedway, Trackhouse announced that 19-year-old phenom Connor Zilisch, a seven-time winner in Xfinity Series competition in 2025, will replace Daniel Suarez in the organization's third Cup Series car for 2026 and beyond.

NEWS: Welcome to the NASCAR Cup Series, @ConnorZilisch‼️

The 19-year-old will race full-time for The House beginning in 2026 and beyond. pic.twitter.com/K4SvTHOD0V
— Trackhouse Racing (@TeamTrackhouse) August 23, 2025

Red Bull and WeatherTech will serve as two of Zilisch's primary sponsors in 2026. A car number was not announced.

Zilisch has made three Cup Series starts with Trackhouse Racing in 2025 and is widely regarded as one of the best prospects in NASCAR history. He won in his Xfinity Series debut at Watkins Glen in September 2024 and is a championship favorite in the Xfinity Series this season.

Suarez announced that he would not return to Trackhouse — a team he's driven for since 2021 — on July 1, opening up a seat for Zilisch. Suarez has not yet announced his plans for 2026.

Zilisch will join a Cup Series lineup of Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen for 2026.

"We got a bunch of guys that win a bunch of races, including Connor," Marks said during the news conference.

"I never thought I would make it anywhere in racing," an emotional Zilisch said.

It's safe to say Zilisch has made it, and race fans will likely be hearing his name for decades to come.

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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