Motorsports wonder kid Connor Zilisch continues to dazzle the racing world as he takes his first steps into the world of NASCAR. His journey has been nothing short of extraordinary, starting with Trackhouse Racing’s Justin Marks recognizing his potential and signing him as a developmental driver. This was followed by a massive career boost when Dale Earnhardt Jr. brought him on board to drive the legendary #88 car full-time in the Xfinity Series for the 2025 season.
Just when you thought his rise couldn’t get more exciting, Red Bull steps in!
The prestigious Red Bull Racing team recently announced a new partnership with the 18-year-old racing prodigy, officially adding Zilisch to their renowned motorsports lineup. Zilisch, who is set to debut in the Xfinity Series, will now join his Trackhouse teammate Shane van Gisbergen, who is also part of the Red Bull family. The iconic Red Bull logo will be proudly displayed on Zilisch’s helmet during his upcoming Xfinity races, just as it was for SVG when he dominated the Cup Series at the Chicago Street race.
Connor Zilisch is now a member of Red Bull’s elite motorsports roster
In motorsports, few names are as legendary as Red Bull, a brand that has built a towering reputation across various disciplines. They are home to Formula One’s leading team, powered by three-time F1 world champion Max Verstappen. The Red Bull roster is stacked with talent, including Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez, motorsports icons Scott Speed and Mattias Ekström, and now Connor Zilisch. For the young driver, this partnership is the realization of a lifelong ambition. Overflowing with excitement, Zilisch shared the monumental news with his followers on X, saying, “So stoked to be joining the @redbull family as a Red Bull athlete! This has been a dream of mine since I was a little kid and I couldn’t be more pumped. Let’s go!!!”
Zilisch’s ascension to the ranks of elite drivers wasn’t just built on hype; he’s been proving his potential on the track. Before his partnership with Red Bull, Zilisch showcased his dominance at the ARCA race at Watkins Glen, confirming he’s the future star of stock car racing. Following a tough defeat the year before, the 18-year-old came back stronger, pulling ahead by 15 seconds at the mid-race break and ultimately winning with a 12.7-second lead over William Sawalich. Even veteran driver Brandon Jones, a seasoned ARCA winner, couldn’t keep up, finishing a distant 17.5 seconds behind in third place.
Riding the wave of this dominant victory, Zilisch is preparing for four Xfinity Series races before his full-time campaign in 2025. His first stop is at Watkins Glen, where he’ll face formidable competition, including his teammate and Red Bull ally Shane van Gisbergen. SVG, a fellow Trackhouse driver, was eager to welcome Zilisch into the Red Bull family, posting on X, “Congrats @ConnorZilisch! Welcome to the @redbull family.”
Despite being only 18, Zilisch is already building a stellar resume, with multiple wins and impressive performances across various series. Trackhouse Racing, recognizing his immense talent, signed him for their development program, giving him opportunities in the Xfinity Series, the Craftsman Truck Series, IMSA, and ARCA, with an eye on a potential future in the Cup Series. Before his recent ARCA triumph, Zilisch had already made five series starts, winning four races and finishing a close second at Milwaukee. His debut in the Truck Series at Circuit of the Americas was equally impressive, where he secured pole position and finished fourth, turning heads once again.
Now, with Zilisch joining Red Bull’s ranks, there’s growing speculation that the brand could be considering a return to NASCAR. Red Bull, a dominant force in motorsports worldwide, briefly competed in NASCAR, but their journey ended in 2011. Their foray into stock car racing began in 2007 when Red Bull partnered with Toyota as their manufacturer. The team fielded two cars, driven by Kasey Kahne and Brian Vickers. In 2009, Vickers brought home Red Bull’s first NASCAR victory, sparking hopes of a bright future. Unfortunately, their momentum stalled after Vickers was sidelined by a blood clot, and the team’s performance faltered. Red Bull eventually withdrew from NASCAR after the 2011 season when a last-ditch effort to sign Clint Bowyer failed.
Many believe Red Bull’s exit from NASCAR came too soon. The team’s struggles weren’t due to a lack of talent or resources, but perhaps a misalignment between their Formula One success and the unique challenges of stock car racing. NASCAR’s landscape has changed significantly since then, and some argue that Red Bull might have exited just as the sport was evolving. The question now is whether this partnership with Connor Zilisch could pave the way for Red Bull to stage a comeback in NASCAR as a major sponsor.
Could Red Bull return to NASCAR with Zilisch leading the charge? What are your thoughts on this exciting new partnership?
