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New car, new class, same goal: Conor Zilisch wants a Rolex 24 repeat

Zilisch may only be 18 years old, but the racing world expects big things out of him in 2025 ... and for good reason.

Connor Zilisch has had more success than many pro racers — let alone most 18 year olds. In 2024 alone, he earned class victories in the Rolex 24 and Sebring 12 endurance events, won five of the eight ARCA races he entered, earned pole position for his first NASCAR Truck start, and went on to win in his NASCAR Xfinity debut at Watkins Glen.

Going into 2025, expectations are high as he embarks on his rookie Xfinity season with JR Motorsports, but first Zilisch has to get through the Rolex 24 again. Though already an LMP2 class winner in the prestigious race, this weekend's event presents a very different situation for the young racer.

"New team, new car, new class -- everything is different," Zilisch told Motorsport.

Connor Zilisch, JR Motorsports, Carolina Carports Chevrolet Camaro

Photo by: Gavin Baker / NKP / Motorsport Images

Feeling like a rookie, even as the defending winner

Zilisch will be driving a Chevrolet Corvette for Trackhouse Racing alongside Kiwi dream team Shane van Gisbergen and Scott McLaughlin, and Ben Keating. Given that group's experience — and Zilisch's age — it's no surprise that, despite all his success, he still feels like the rookie on his team.

"I definitely feel like there's a lot for me to learn from all of my teammates, Ben [Keating] included," said Zilisch. "He's got so much experience in sports cars."

The New Zealanders on the squad haven't won a Rolex watch, but they are both winners of the Bathurst 12, and are remarkably versatile drivers with success across wildly different racing disciplines on both sides of the globe.

"I try not to set my expectations too high," Zilisch said. "In racing, there are so many variables and so many things that can change and happen during a race, especially in [the Rolex 24] ... I take that same mindset into the Xfinity season as well. You only get your rookie season once in NASCAR, and I'm gonna try and make sure to make the most of it."

#91 Trackhouse by TF Sport Corvette Z06 GT3.R: Ben Keating, Connor Zilisch, Scott McLaughlin, Shane van Gisbergen

Photo by: James Gilbert - Motorsport Images

Beyond his Xfinity season starting soon, the 18-year-old will make his NASCAR Cup debut in March at COTA, driving the No. 87 Chevrolet for Trackhouse. Notably, it will be sponsored by Red Bull as the energy drink brand returns to stock car racing for the first time in 14 years.

"The Cup car is a lot different," said Zilisch in a press conference at Daytona International Speedway. "I definitely have a lot to learn there. It's just a whole different level in the Cup Series. Obviously, I want to get my feet wet as early as possible and get an understanding of what my future may look like. I'm really excited for that. It's going to be a lot of fun. Things have progressed really fast."

That's an understatement. Zilisch made his ARCA debut in August of 2023, his Xfinity debut in September of last year, and now he'll have a Cup race under his belt by spring of this year. And possibly a second Rolex on his wrist by the end of tomorrow.