Connor Zilisch will make his NASCAR Cup Series debut Sunday in the Circuit of the Americas (1:30 p.m. CT, FOX). Zilisch started racing go-karts when he was five. He moved up to the ARCA Menards Series in 2023 and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and Xfinity Series in 2024.

Connor Zilisch debuts in NASCAR Cup at COTA, aiming to compete, learn—and he hopes—become the series youngest winner with his road course success.

The NASCAR Cup Series is headed to the storied Austin track, Circuit of the Americas, this week. The road course has plenty of drama on its own, but changes to the track this year, some bubbling beef in the garage and an 18-year-old phenom’s debut make this Sunday’s race a must-see event.

Connor Zilisch cruised to winning the pole position for Saturday's NASCAR Xfinity Series Focused Health 250 at Circuit of the Americas ahead of his NASCAR Cup Series debut at the track on Sunday.

Zilisch, 18, is doing double duty as he will be qualifying again on Saturday for his Cup Series debut with Trackhouse Racing. Earning the pole for Saturday’s race is just the first checkbox of the weekend for the Mooresville native.

The Athletic asks the same 12 questions to a different race car driver. Up next: Connor Zilisch, the 18-year-old phenom who will make his NASCAR Cup Series debut this weekend at Circuit of the Americas while driving for Trackhouse Racing.

NASCAR Xfinity Series' Connor Zilisch gets the pole position after Friday night’s qualifying session for Saturday's Focused Health 250 at COTA.

In fact, not many racers at all. Let alone the Cup Series.

Connor Zilisch feels no pressure after capturing his first Xfinity Series pole of the 2025 season at Circuit of The Americas.