With how stunning Connor Zilisch’s 2025 season was in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, he is still receiving honors. Zilisch won 10 races in the No. 88 Chevy for JR Motorsports. He is now no longer a Trackhouse development driver and instead a Cup Series rookie at Trackhouse.
The National Motorsports Press Association has awarded Connor Zilisch the Richard Petty Driver of The Year Award for the 2025 season. Just another trophy to add to the case ahead of his rookie season in the Cup Series.
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There are few drivers who have had this kind of hype coming into the NASCAR Cup Series for the first time. In the modern era, there are really only two drivers who come to mind, Joey Logano and Jeff Gordon. Maybe Kyle Busch is in that group, too?
Any time a NASCAR driver wins an award with Petty’s name on it, they’re doing something right. The future is in Zilisch’s hands; he just has to make the most of it.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. smiles for a photo with NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Connor Zilisch (88) on Saturday, July 26, 2025, after winning the Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
When it comes to Connor Zilisch, it goes beyond his talents on the track. The way he speaks on TV, in the media, the way he carries himself, and the way he is fairly active on social media, have endeared him to fans. It has shown sponsors and teams that he is the complete package, a consummate professional.
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Zilisch was living in Europe, away from his family, at the age of 12. He grew up racing in the cutthroat karting world in the summers when he would travel overseas. So, he learned to be a professional at a young age. It shows up constantly on and off the track. That early experience, and his talents, were allowed to grow, and now, at 19, he’s ready to take on the best stock car drivers in the world.
There are many who believe Connor Zilisch is the future of the sport. There is hope that he can help carry NASCAR back into the mainstream and back into pop culture relevance. He hasn’t even raced his first Daytona 500 yet, and already, there is so much on the young driver’s shoulders.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Feb 8, 2026, where it first appeared in the Racing section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
