Connor Zilisch set for NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year honor

NXTbets Pro | Published On: November 7, 2026

Zilisch’s rookie honor

Trackhouse Racing driver Connor Zilisch is set to officially secure NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year honors at Homestead. The 20-year-old drives the No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet and enters the finale 33rd in the standings. Zilisch has two top-10 finishes, both seventh-place runs at Sonoma and World Wide Technology Raceway, and he has led nine laps during the season.

Zilisch’s struggles

Zilisch did not dress up how hard the year has felt. He said the season “hasn’t been a picture-perfect year,” and he made clear that racing outside the front of the field has tested him mentally. He called his rookie Cup season with Trackhouse Racing more difficult than he expected and said much of it has centered on learning how to handle disappointment. Zilisch said the year was not what he hoped for, yet he also pointed to a bigger lesson. His biggest takeaway has been learning how to stay motivated and set achievable goals through adversity.

Zilisch’s future

The rookie award will not close the book on what comes next. Zilisch said he expects to remain with Trackhouse Racing through next season, and he also said he will join Hendrick Motorsports’ No. 48 in 2028. For now, he wants to end his time with Trackhouse on a good note and keep working with crew chief Randall Burnett. The immediate focus is finishing his time with Trackhouse on a good note while continuing to work with Burnett. The longer-range move to Hendrick gives him another target to work toward, but his next step remains with Trackhouse.