![\"Connor](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/GettyImages-2244993868-e1762320892213.jpg\")
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty Image\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 04: NASCAR Xfinity Series driver, Connor Zilisch speaks to the media during NASCAR Champions week at JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa on November 04, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Sean Gardner\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Connor Zilisch is only 19, but he\u2019s already stacking achievements that many drivers twice his age are still chasing. Fresh off winning the 2024 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona<\/a> in the LMP2 class, he just took another big step by testing Action Express Racing\u2019s Cadillac V-Series.R GTP car at Daytona.<\/p>\n Over the course of 33 laps<\/a> during an IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship test, he showed the same calm, sharp focus that\u2019s becoming his signature. This was his first taste of GTP machinery, and it put him in a strong spot for a possible fourth-driver role in the 2026 Rolex 24.<\/p>\n For someone who\u2019s jumped between NASCAR, prototypes, and GT cars, this test was another sign of how fast Connor Zilisch\u2019s career is moving.<\/p>\n Connor Zilisch Adjusts to the GTP Cadillac<\/p>\n After stepping out of the No. 02 Cadillac, Connor Zilisch shared what the experience was like. \u201cIt was awesome,\u201d he said<\/a>. \u201cIt\u2019s very different, but at the same time similar to things I\u2019ve driven in the past. It\u2019s kind of a mixture between the P2 car and the GT3 I drove this year.\u201d He also explained that the GTP car was \u201ca little heavier than the P2\u201d but had more power and more systems to learn. The session took place on older Michelin tires and in mixed traffic, giving him time to get comfortable. \u201cIt was a lot of fun getting to feel it out and run a lot of laps,\u201d he said. \u201cDaytona is a relatively simple track\u2026 It was a pretty chill first session.\u201d<\/p>\n Chris Mitchum, director of operations for Action Express Racing, confirmed the team was pleased with the run.<\/p>\n \u201cHe did great,\u201d Mitchum told Sportscar365. He noted that Zilisch didn\u2019t try anything risky but kept improving lap after lap. \u201cThere were no earth-shattering moments or issues at all,\u201d he said, calling it \u201ca good, comfortable run to get a good number of laps.\u201d<\/p>\n Recent Setback and Long-Term Goals<\/p>\n The Daytona test came just weeks after Connor Zilisch narrowly missed winning the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series title. That result cost him the FIA license points needed for a rookie test in Bahrain with Cadillac\u2019s Hypercar program. The canceled opportunity highlighted the strictness of the licensing system for prototype racing at the world level. Even so, Zilisch\u2019s skill across multiple cars continues to speak for itself.<\/p>\n Connor Zilisch\u2019s Daytona journey started in 2022 in the MX-5 Cup. \u201cThe first time I came to Daytona racing this weekend was in the MX-5 Cup,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ve loved it ever since. Being able to race in the 24 Hours is something I\u2019ve dreamed of as a kid.\u201d That early experience turned Daytona into a personal landmark for him.<\/p>\n Eyes on the Rolex 24 and Beyond<\/p>\n If selected, the 2026 Rolex 24 would be Connor Zilisch\u2019s third start in the event and his third different class. \u201cI don\u2019t know if I\u2019m doing it, but if I do end up getting to do it and I do well enough today, then that would be cool,\u201d he said. Connor Zilisch also called testing the GTP car \u201csuch a dream\u201d and noted how meaningful it was to drive in IMSA\u2019s top class.<\/p>\n As IMSA works toward the 2026 season and potential aero changes for GTP entries, Connor Zilisch\u2019s performance is a clear sign that he\u2019s positioned for more big moments.<\/p>\n His upcoming step to the NASCAR Cup Series with Trackhouse Racing in 2026 adds another layer to his schedule, but the results so far suggest he\u2019s equipped to handle both worlds.<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tDogli Wilberforce<\/a> is a sports writer who covers NASCAR, Formula 1 and IndyCar Series for Heavy Sports. With bylines at Total Apex Sports and Last Word on Sports, Wilberforce has built a reputation for delivering timely, engaging coverage that blends sharp analysis with accessible storytelling. Wilberforce has covered everything from major football transfers to fight-night drama, bringing readers the insight and context behind the headlines. More about Dogli Wilberforce<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tMore Heavy on NASCAR\n\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\tLoading more stories\n\t\t<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Getty Image PHOENIX, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 04: NASCAR Xfinity Series driver, Connor Zilisch speaks to the media during…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":286699,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[446],"tags":[49,48,634,82],"class_list":{"0":"post-286698","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nascar","8":"tag-ca","9":"tag-canada","10":"tag-nascar","11":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/286698","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=286698"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/286698\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/286699"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=286698"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=286698"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=286698"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}