Connor Zilisch, a 17-year-old racing prodigy, is set to embark on an exciting journey in the NASCAR world. He will be taking the wheel of Spire Motorsports’ No. 7 Chevrolet at the upcoming race at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) next Saturday. Additionally, Zilisch will be piloting the No. 7 car in the fall race at Talladega Superspeedway.
But that’s not all. Spire Motorsports is going the extra mile by organizing a separate entry for Zilisch at the October Truck race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, showcasing their commitment to nurturing young talent.
In a recent announcement, it was revealed that once Zilisch turns 18 later this year, he will be participating in four Xfinity Series races with JR Motorsports. These races include dates at Watkins Glen, Kansas, Homestead, and Phoenix.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Zilisch stated, “I can’t wait to make my NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut at Circuit of the Americas, as well as other select races with Spire Motorsports this year. Spire has obviously had a lot of success already this year, so I know that I’m getting into winning equipment. I’ve been doing a lot of preparation for COTA, and I feel that it’s a track that suits my style. I can’t wait to get to work with these guys and hopefully get my No. 7 Austin Hatcher Foundation Chevy Silverado to Victory Lane.”
The Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer, backed by the support of Hixon Motor Sports, will serve as the primary sponsor for all three Truck races, marking a meaningful partnership in the fight against pediatric cancer.
Zilisch boasts an impressive racing resume, with notable achievements such as being part of Era Motorsport’s LMP2 class win at the 2024 Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway, making him the second-youngest driver ever to win the iconic race. He is also a 10-time Trans-Am TA2 class race winner.
Hailing from Mooresville, North Carolina, Zilisch clinched the 2022 Mazda MX-5 championship runner-up title and rookie-of-the-year honors for Hixon Motor Sports. His debut in the ARCA Menards Series last season at Watkins Glen saw him lead 34 out of 42 laps, securing an impressive runner-up finish.
Doug Duchardt, the president of the Spire team, expressed his excitement about Zilisch joining their ranks, stating, “We’re thrilled to have Connor Zilisch drive the No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado this season, but separately, we’re looking forward to working closely with our friends at Chevrolet and Trackhouse Racing to help Connor get some vital seat time. Connor is an exceptionally talented young racer whose credentials speak for themselves.”
