In an impressive display of skill and determination, 17-year-old Connor Zilisch, born July 2006, made a remarkable debut in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Circuit of The Americas (COTA) during the XPEL 225. Driving the Spire No. 7, Zilisch, who had previously showcased his talent by being part of winning teams at the Rolex 24 and Sebring, secured the pole position for the race by a significant margin of seven-tenths of a second over Corey Heim. Despite this being his first race in the series, Zilisch's performance was not entirely unexpected given his history of success in motorsports. Before turning 18, Zilisch had already become the youngest Trans-Am TA winner ever, nearly won the title in his first MX-5 Cup season, finished second and led the most laps in his ARCA debut, and was an LMP2 class winner in his first appearances at the Rolex 24 and Sebring 12. During the race, Zilisch experienced a rollercoaster of events, including blowing Turn 1 and falling to 34th place, getting lapped while making repairs, and then making a significant comeback to finish fourth. His day continued with challenges as he missed the ARCA East qualifying at Pensacola due to his commitments at COTA but managed to work his way up from the rear of the field to finish third, despite a fuel pressure issue that cost him a lap.
How has Connor Zilisch's day gone since leaving COTA? Well, he missed ARCA East qualifying at Pensacola and started at the rear of field. Worked his way to fourth. Got spun in traffic. Restarted fifth, drove to third. Lost a lap due to a fuel pressure issue but caught the…
Connor Zilisch quipped that he checked every possible thing that could happen off the box in his first truck race. He finished fourth. He was headed to an airplane for the ARCA East race in Pensacola but talked to reporters as he walked to the garage. https://t.co/fARfkTwaCP
Connor Zilisch recap: -- Starts on the pole, blows Turn 1, falls to P34, gets lapped while making repairs on pit road -- Gets free pass, gains 14 positions in two laps -- Gets spun, falls to P23 -- Drives back up to P17 one lap later Still 23 laps to go!
Connor Zilisch getting ready to lead the Craftsman Truck Series field to the green flag at Circuit of the Americas. It's a 42 laps race.
Engines are fired for the Truck Series race at COTA. I'll take the 17-year-old @ConnorZilisch to win. Who ya got? #NASCAR
Engines fired for the Truck Series race at COTA (FS1). Obviously, the big pre-race story is whether 17-year-old Connor Zilisch can win in his first NASCAR race. He starts from the pole position. Going to be fun to watch.
Connor Zilisch seems relaxed before truck debut from the pole. https://t.co/DczZ3ylaE7
Connor Zilisch, making his Truck Series debut, shatters track record and wins pole by seven tenths. And through it all, he still speaks strongly of humility, the process and wanting to validate those who believe in him. https://t.co/NfC7At3ocj
Starting lineup for Saturday's Truck Series race at Circuit of the Americas. Connor Zilisch to start on pole in his series debut. He's also pulling double duty in ARCA East tomorrow night at Pensacola. Ben Rhodes, shock issue Thad Moffitt, power steering https://t.co/3P2HHHf3o8
#NASCAR: @ConnorZilisch will lead the field to green in Saturday's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event at Circuit of The Americas (COTA), winning the pole by more than seven-tenths of a second. https://t.co/drgtYrCYiL
He just claimed the pole in his first ever NASCAR Truck Series start! @ConnorZilisch talks with @AmandaBusick at COTA. https://t.co/zMpJseCg03
Pole in first series start. Connor Zilisch will start from the pole tomorrow at COTA in the trucks. https://t.co/oUdQv0bgiM
First day in a NASCAR national series, already has one track record and a pole position. @ConnorZilisch https://t.co/lx6EqwqtA7
Connor Zilisch in his debut with Spire, gets the Truck Series pole @COTA
WOW! In his debut #NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race, 17-year-old @ConnorZilisch will lead the field to the green flag as he scored the pole for Saturday's XPEL 225 over Corey Heim at Circuit of the Americas. Full starting lineup and qualifying results: https://t.co/weimlEgZHd
Repost to congratulate Connor Zilisch on his NASCAR Truck Series POLE at Circuit of the Americas! https://t.co/M4qESNIG03 https://t.co/iMgsfQz42y
Scoring the pole for Saturday's #XPEL225 at @NASCARatCOTA, @ConnorZilisch becomes the seventh driver to score the pole in their NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut. Nick Sanchez (Daytona, 2023) was the last driver to accomplish this. #NASCAR https://t.co/dHDZJBeZLL
Connor Zilisch on the pole isn't a huge surprise -- he was part of winning teams in their class at Rolex 24 and Sebring. His challenge will be in his first truck race, how much he can/should approach rubbin is racing. https://t.co/u3lOpgPEbf
.@ConnorZilisch before turning 18 years old: - Youngest Trans-Am TA winner ever - Nearly won the title in first MX-5 Cup season - Finished 2nd, led the most laps in ARCA debut - LMP2 class winner in his first Rolex 24 & Sebring 12 And POLE POSITION in his #NASCAR Truck debut!
It's only March, but @ConnorZilisch is having quite a year so far: -- Rolex 24 winner -- 12 Hours of Sebring winner -- Just won pole position in first career Truck Series race by 0.7 second at COTA Something special is happening here, folks. Again, he's 17 (born July 2006)!
Connor Zilisch on the pole for the truck race at COTA in his debut in the Spire No. 7. Zilisch Heim TayGray Sanchez Chastain Hawksworth TanGray Riggs Eckes Majeski
.@ConnorZilisch now fastest in #NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series practice @COTA. #NASCAR
Connor Zilisch making his truck debut today for Spire. He also is doing ARCA East race at Pensacola so will leave here after race Saturday for that event Saturday night. He has never raced at Five Flags.