If there was ever a match made in NASCAR heaven, that is it.
At 18-years-old, Connor Zilisch — some of the heralded NASCAR prospects in latest historical past — has signed with Dale Earnhardt Jr. to driver Earnhardt’s No. 88 Chevrolet Camaro within the NASCAR Xfinity Sequence for 2025.
Zilisch, who will make his second profession Truck Sequence begin on Saturday at Richmond, is slated to make 4 Xfinity Sequence begins for JR Motorsports in 2024, together with his NXS debut happening at Watkins Glen on Sept. 14. Zilisch may also pilot the No. 88 automotive at Kansas, Homestead and Phoenix earlier than taking the reins as a full-time competitor in 2025.
Zilisch has already torn up the ARCA Menards Sequence in 2024, successful 4 of his six begins and ending contained in the top-five in all of them. He additionally boasts victories in each the Rolex 24 at Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring, and his sports activities automotive background may very well be very helpful within the modern-day NASCAR Cup Sequence, the place the Subsequent-Gen automotive is extra just like a sports activities automotive than its ever been.
The perfect information for Zilisch? The 4 begins he has scheduled with the crew this season will give him an opportunity to familiarize himself with each the Xfinity Sequence automotive and his crew, gaining chemistry that shall be essential if he needs to make a championship run subsequent season.
The signing of Zilisch additional solidifies JRM as a prime vacation spot within the Xfinity Sequence. Whereas the crew has barely struggled this yr — relative to previous efficiency, no less than — it is nonetheless a top-three crew within the sequence, and when paired with Zilisch, JRM has a wonderful alternative to earn its first Xfinity Sequence championship since 2018.
Huge issues will definitely be anticipated of Zilisch in 2025, however do not be stunned if he far exceeds these expectations — it looks like punching above his weight is all he is carried out since he began his journey via the ranks of NASCAR.