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Connor Zilisch
Zilisch at Richmond Raceway in 2024
BornConnor Zilisch
(2006-07-22) July 22, 2006 (age 18)
Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.
AchievementsFirst American to ever win the CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy
2020 CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy Winner
2021 Mazda MX-5 Cup Scholarship Winner
Awards2022 Mazda MX-5 Cup Rookie of the Year
NASCAR Xfinity Series career
Car no., teamNo. 88 (JR Motorsports)
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series career
1 race run over 1 year
Truck no., teamNo. 7 (Spire Motorsports)
First race2024 XPEL 225 (COTA)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 1 1
ARCA Menards Series career
5 races run over 2 years
ARCA no., teamNo. 28 (Pinnacle Racing Group)
Best finish68th (2023)
First race2023 General Tire 100 at The Glen (Watkins Glen)
Last race2024 Circle City 200 (IRP)
First win2024 General Tire 150 (Dover)
Last win2024 Henry Ford Health 200 (Michigan)
Wins Top tens Poles
4 5 0
ARCA Menards Series East career
6 races run over 1 year
ARCA East no., teamNo. 28 (Pinnacle Racing Group)
First race2024 Pensacola 150 (Pensacola)
Last race2024 Circle City 200 (IRP)
First win2024 General Tire 150 (Dover)
Last win2024 Circle City 200 (IRP)
Wins Top tens Poles
4 6 1
Statistics current as of July 25, 2024.

Connor Zilisch (born July 22, 2006) is an American racing driver. He is signed as a development driver for Trackhouse Racing as of 2024. Under that agreement, Zilisch competes in select races across multiple racing series, including the NASCAR Xfinity Series (for JR Motorsports), the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (for Spire Motorsports), the ARCA Menards Series (for Pinnacle Racing Group), the CARS Tour, the Trans-Am Series (for Silver Hare Racing), the IMSA SportsCar Championship (for Era Motorsport) and the Global MX-5 Cup.

Notable achievements include winning the 2024 24 Hours of Daytona and the 2024 12 Hours of Sebring in the LMP2 class in his first attempt, and being the first American driver to win the Karting Academy Trophy.

Racing career

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Early career

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Karting

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Zilisch started competing in go-karts at the age of 5 in 2011. He would spend 10 years racing karts before moving up to cars in 2021. Zilisch karted primarily in the United States until 2017 when he won the Mini Rok World Championship in South Garda, Italy competing against more than 160 other competitors from 33 different countries. He returned to Europe to race primarily in the FIA OKJ class in 2018–2020 and made the "A" final in the OKJ World Championship in both 2019 and 2020. In 2020 he also became the first ever American to win the CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy, a three race series where competitors from all over the world all race on identical equipment.[1]

Mazda MX-5 Global Cup and Trans-Am

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Zilisch began racing cars in early 2021 with the Sports Car Club of America in the Spec Miata class and quickly began showing strong results, setting 3 track records and reaching the podium multiple times. At the SCCA Run-offs in Indianapolis that year, Zilisch finished 3rd out of ~ 90 cars in the competitive Spec Miata class and shortly thereafter was named the SCCA Jim Fitzgerald Rookie of the Year. Zilisch also competed in the Mazda MX-5 Cup Shootout competition, in late 2021, winning the $110,000 scholarship which would fund his participation in the series in 2022. In late 2021 Zilisch also ran his first Trans Am TA2 race at Virginia International Raceway earning pole position while shattering the track record as a rookie driver. He led the race early until a mechanical issue forced him to retire early, however, his performance in the race led to his being invited to race TA2 full-time for Silver Hare Racing in 2022.

In the Mazda MX-5 Cup series, Zilisch recorded 4 wins on the season and nearly won the championship in the last race of the season at Road Atlanta. In that race, Zilisch needed to finish at least 3 spots ahead of Jared Thomas to win the $250K championship prize and on track he did that, finishing 6th to Thomas' 9th place finish, however a post-race penalty to Alex Bachoura (who finished in between Zilisch and Thomas) ended up moving Thomas up one position and handing him the championship. Zilisch won $85K for second place and was also named the Mazda MX-5 Cup Rookie of the Year for 2022.[2]

Late Models

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Pro Late Models

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In June 2022 Zilisch would make his Pro Late Model debut in the No. 4 for Setzer Racing and Development at Orange County Speedway with the Carolina Pro Late Model Series where he would win the pole, and led all the laps en route to his first career victory in an Asphalt Late Model overall and Pro Late Model.[3]

For 2023, Zilisch would return to the No. 25 for Rackley WAR running select events in the CARS Pro Late Model Tour. He would win at Ace Speedway in his 2nd start of the season holding off Caden Kvapil to do so.[4]

Late Model Stock Cars

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In 2022, Zilisch began racing late model cars to prepare him for a potential path to NASCAR. He would start to run Late Model Stock Cars in the No. 57 for Carroll Speedshop. He would score 2 wins on the year both coming at Hickory Motor Speedway as well as 2 other podium positions.

For 2023, Zilisch would return to the No. 57 for Carroll Speedshop on a part-time basis in the CARS Late Model Stock Car Tour. At Hickory Motor Speedway during the Throwback 276, Zilisch would run a throwback to the No. 98 Dogecoin car driven in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2014 by his current driver coach Josh Wise.

ARCA Menards Series

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2023

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On August 14, 2023, it was announced Zilisch would make his ARCA Menards Series debut in the No. 28 for Pinnacle Racing Group at that weekend's race at Watkins Glen.[5] Zilisch qualified 2nd behind Corey LaJoie and then went on to dominate the race, leading 34 out of the race's 42 laps, and barely lost the race after getting moved in the final corner of the final lap from the lead by Jesse Love going on to still finish second despite an ill handling car affected by a broken front sway bar.

Zilisch and his crew celebrating after winning the General Tire 150 at Dover Motor Speedway.

2024

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Zilisch's race-winning car at Dover Motor Speedway in 2024.

On March 18, 2024, it was announced that Zilisch will return to Pinnacle Racing Group to run a full season in the ARCA Menards Series East, driving the No. 28 car.[6] In his first start at Five Flags Speedway, he missed practice and qualifying due to being at Circuit of the Americas for the NASCAR Truck Series race, and was replaced by Luke Fenhaus.[7] Zilisch was able to make the race but struggled with mechanical issues throughout the event and finished 4th, two laps down. In his next race at Dover Motor Speedway, Zilisch took advantage of the leader's mishaps, and led the final 42 laps of the event to earn his first career win in both the main and East Series.[8] At the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, Zilisch qualified 4th and ran in the top three throughout the event, but did not have the car to beat the eventual race winner William Sawalich, he finished 3rd behind Isabella Robusto. He rebounded the following race at Flat Rock Speedway, where he would go on to obliterate the competition, winning the pole and leading every lap of the race to earn his second career win.[9][10] He continued with a hot streak of victories, winning the next two East Series events at Iowa Speedway and Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, both in dominating fashion.[11][12]

NASCAR

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On January 11, 2024, Zilisch signed a multi-year contract with Trackhouse Racing as a developmental driver. His developmental program in 2024 and 2025 consists of races in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, as well as ARCA, CARS Tour, Trans-Am, and IMSA.[13]

Craftsman Truck Series

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2024

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On March 15, 2024, it was announced that Zilisch will run a three-race schedule for Spire Motorsports in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 7 truck, including a race at Homestead–Miami Speedway in a coordinated entry fielded by Spire.[14] He made his debut at Circuit of the Americas, shocking the field after winning the pole in his first career start, with a lap of 2:11.983, and a speed of 93.012 mph (149.688 km/h), seven tenths faster than the second-place driver of Corey Heim and was also the track record.[15] On the first lap, Zilisch locked up his brakes and ultimately missed the first corner, losing the lead and falling to the back.[16] He battled through many mid-race struggles, including penalties and spins. He would pass the most amount trucks throughout the entire race, and eventually made it back to the top five in the final stages. He was unable to catch the eventual winner Corey Heim, and settled for a fourth place finish in his series debut.[17] Following his performance, Spire added three more races to Zilisch's schedule, which includes Richmond, Bristol, and Martinsville.[18]

Xfinity Series

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2024

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On March 12, 2024, it was announced that Zilisch will run a four-race slate with JR Motorsports in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 88 car.[19] Following his 18th birthday on July 22, Zilisch will compete in the races at Watkins Glen, Kansas, Homestead–Miami, and the season finale at Phoenix.[20]

2025

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On August 7, 2024, it was announced on the Dale Jr. Download that Zilisch will drive in the Xfinity Series full-time for JR Motorsports in the No. 88 car with a partnership of Trackhouse Racing.[21]

Personal life

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Zilisch, when not driving himself, is a driver coach to younger drivers in the Karting ranks. He was announced as a client of KHI Management in 2021, but subsequently parted ways with the company in early 2023.[22] He is good friends with fellow driver Jesse Love, who often joke with each other on social media.[23]

Zilisch's mother, Janice Kerr, was a gymnast on the Canadian women's national artistic gymnastics team and a member of the 1983 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships tenth-place team. She was the NCAA Southeast Region all-around champion in 1987 and 1988.[24] Kerr was named the Southeastern Conference H. Boyd McWhorter Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 1990, one of only four Florida Gators to have won the award.[25]

Motorsports career results

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NASCAR

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(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

Xfinity Series

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NASCAR Xfinity Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 NXSC Pts Ref
2024 JR Motorsports 88 Chevy DAY ATL LVS PHO COA RCH MAR TEX TAL DOV DAR CLT PIR SON IOW NHA NSH CSC POC IND MCH DAY DAR ATL GLN BRI KAN TAL ROV LVS HOM MAR PHO -* -*

Craftsman Truck Series

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NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 NCTC Pts Ref
2024 Spire Motorsports 7 Chevy DAY ATL LVS BRI COA
4 		MAR TEX KAN DAR NWS CLT GTW NSH POC IRP RCH
29 		MLW BRI KAN TAL MAR -* -* [26]
TBA TBA HOM PHO

ARCA Menards Series

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(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led. ** – All laps led.)

ARCA Menards Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 AMSC Pts Ref
2023 Pinnacle Racing Group 28 Chevy DAY PHO TAL KAN CLT BLN ELK MOH IOW POC MCH IRP GLN
2* 		ISF MLW DSF KAN BRI SLM TOL 68th 44 [27]
2024 DAY PHO TAL DOV
1 		KAN CLT IOW
1* 		MOH BLN IRP
1* 		SLM ELK MCH
1 		ISF MLW DSF GLN BRI KAN TOL -* -* [28]

ARCA Menards Series East

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ARCA Menards Series East results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 AMSEC Pts Ref
2024 Pinnacle Racing Group 28 Chevy FIF
4 		DOV
1 		NSV
3 		FRS
1** 		IOW
1* 		IRP
1* 		MLW BRI -* -* [29]

ARCA Menards Series West

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ARCA Menards Series West results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 AMSWC Pts Ref
2024 Pinnacle Racing Group 28 Chevy PHO KER PIR SON IRW IRW SHA TRI MAD AAS KER PHO -* -*

CARS Late Model Stock Car Tour

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(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led. ** – All laps led.)

CARS Late Model Stock Car Tour results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 CLMSCTC Pts Ref
2022 Carroll Speedshop 28 Chevy CRW HCY GPS AAS FCS LGY DOM HCY ACE MMS NWS TCM ACE SBO
Wth† 		CRW N/A N/A [30]
2023 57 SNM FLC HCY
8 		ACE
12 		NWS
36 		LGY DOM
9 		CRW
16 		ACE
11 		TCM WKS AAS SBO TCM CRW -* -* [31]
98 HCY
15
2024 Pinnacle Racing Group 28 Chevy SNM HCY
1 		AAS OCS ACE NWS TCM LGY DOM CRW
7 		HCY ACE WKS FLC SBO TCM NWS -* -*
† – Entered but later withdrew from the race

CARS Pro Late Model Tour

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(key)

CARS Pro Late Model Tour results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 CPLMTC Pts Ref
2023 Rackley WAR 25 Chevy SNM HCY
3 		ACE
1 		NWS
3 		TCM DIL CRW
6 		WKS HCY
6 		FLC SBO TCM CRW -* -* [32]

Carolina Pro Late Model Series

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(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led. ** – All laps led.)

Carolina Pro Late Model Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 CPLMSC Pts Ref
2022 Setzer Racing and Development 4 Chevy SNM FCS HCY AAS DIL MMS OCS
1** 		CCS HCY HCY AND OCS HCY 30th N/A [33]

Complete IMSA SportsCar Championship results

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(key)(Races in bold indicate pole position. Races in italics indicate fastest race lap in class. Results are overall/class)

Year Team Class Make Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Rank Points
2024 Era Motorsport LMP2 Oreca 07 Gibson GK428 4.2 L V8 DAY
1 		SEB
1 		WGL MOS ELK IMS ATL 1st* 741*

Mazda Mx-5 Cup

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(key)(Races in bold indicate pole position. Races in italics indicate fastest race lap in class. Results are overall/class)

Year Team Make Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Rank Points
2021 Hixon Motor Sports Mazda MX-5 SKYACTIV-G 2.0L four-cylinder engine DAY DAY SEB SEB STP STP MOH MOH ELK ELK LGA LGA ATL
22 		ATL
5 		32nd 360
2022 Hixon Motor Sports Mazda MX-5 SKYACTIV-G 2.0L four-cylinder engine DAY
4 		DAY
7 		STP
17 		STP
2 		MOH
17 		MOH
17 		WGL
22 		WGL
6 		ELK
1 		ELK
1 		VIR
2 		VIR
1 		ATL
1 		ATL
6 		2nd 3600
2023 Hixon Motor Sports Mazda MX-5 SKYACTIV-G 2.0L four-cylinder engine DAY
2 		DAY
15 		STP
2 		STP
1 		LGA
1 		LGA
22 		WGL WGL ELK ELK VIR
3 		VIR
9 		ATL
1 		ATL
1 		8th 2920
2024 BSI Racing Mazda MX-5 SKYACTIV-G 2.0L four-cylinder engine DAY
5 		DAY
25 		SEB
2 		SEB
2 		LAG LAG MOH
1 		MOH
5 		MOP MOP VIR VIR ATL ATL 8th* 1610*

* Season still in progress

References

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  1. ^ "Inside Mazda MX-5 Cup: Connor Zilisch's rapid learning curve". RACER. Archived from the original on August 15, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  2. ^ "Connor Zilisch's Freshman Year". BFGoodrich. Archived from the original on August 15, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  3. ^ "FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE – 2022 Carolina Pro Late Model Series/Carolina Crate Modified Series At Orange County Speedway". Short Track Report. Archived from the original on August 15, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  4. ^ "Connor Zilisch Drives To First CARS Tour Pro Late Model Victory At Ace Speedway". FloSports. Archived from the original on August 15, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  5. ^ "Connor Zilisch to make ARCA debut at Watkins Glen with Pinnacle Racing Group". ARCA Menards Series. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  6. ^ Branscum, Benjamine (March 18, 2024). "Connor Zilisch Grows 2024 Schedule, Joins Pinnacle Racing Group For ARCA East Slate". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  7. ^ White, Brandon (March 19, 2024). "Connor Zilisch feels prepared for a grueling, same-day doubleheader between COTA and Five Flags Speedway". Official Site of NASCAR. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  8. ^ Christie, Toby (April 26, 2024). "Connor Zilisch Nudges Way to Win at Dover; First Career ARCA Win". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  9. ^ Calloni, Josh (May 18, 2024). "Connor Zilisch Wins ARCA East Pole at Flat Rock". Frontstretch.com. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  10. ^ Branscum, Benjamine (May 18, 2024). "Zilisch Flat Out Dominates, Wins Dutch Boy 150". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  11. ^ Branscum, Benjamine (June 14, 2024). "Zilisch Endures Late Race Restarts At Iowa, Wins The Atlas 150". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  12. ^ Srigley, Joseph (July 19, 2024). "Connor Zilisch Outduels William Sawalich on Late Restart for ARCA Win at IRP". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  13. ^ "Trackhouse Racing signs developmental driver Connor Zilisch to multi-year contract". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media. January 11, 2023. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
  14. ^ "Connor Zilisch to pilot Spire Motorsports Chevy Silverado in select NCTS races". Jayski.com. Jayski's Silly Season Site. March 15, 2024. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  15. ^ Srigley, Joseph (March 22, 2024). "Connor Zilisch Outpaces Field for Pole in Truck Debut at COTA". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  16. ^ Christie, Toby (March 23, 2024). "Video: Polesitter Connor Zilisch Locks up Brakes in Turn 1 at COTA". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  17. ^ Albino, Dustin (March 23, 2024). "Chaotic race for Connor Zilisch results in top-five effort at COTA". Official Site of NASCAR. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  18. ^ "Connor Zilisch to run three additional Truck races". Jayski.com. Jayski's Silly Season Site. April 25, 2024. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  19. ^ Srigley, Joseph (March 12, 2024). "Connor Zilisch Earns Four-Race Xfinity Slate in No. 88 for JR Motorsports". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  20. ^ "Connor Zilisch competing in 4 Xfinity races for JR Motorsports in 2024". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media. March 12, 2024. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  21. ^ "Connor Zilisch to drive full time for JR Motorsports in 2025". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media. August 7, 2024. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  22. ^ "KHI Management". KHI Management. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  23. ^ Ghosh, Nilavro (March 25, 2024). "Jesse Love & Connor Zilisch Light Social Media on Fire as They Take Shots at Each Other's NASCAR Misery; Fans in Disbelief". EssentiallySports.com. EssentiallySports. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  24. ^ "1990 Gymnastics Roster". floridagators.com. University Athletic Assoc., Inc., FOX Sports Sun & IMG College. Archived from the original on February 12, 2024. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
  25. ^ "McWhorter Scholar-Athletes of the Year announced". www.secsports.com. ESPN. May 2, 2023. Archived from the original on February 12, 2024. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
  26. ^ "Connor Zilisch - 2024 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Archived from the original on March 23, 2024. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  27. ^ "Connor Zilisch - 2023 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Archived from the original on August 15, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  28. ^ "Connor Zilisch - 2024 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Archived from the original on March 23, 2024. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  29. ^ "Connor Zilisch - 2024 ARCA Menards Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Archived from the original on March 20, 2024. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
  30. ^ "Connor Zilisch – 2022 CARS Late Model Stock Car Tour Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Archived from the original on August 15, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  31. ^ "Connor Zilisch – 2023 CARS Late Model Stock Car Tour Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Archived from the original on August 15, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  32. ^ "Connor Zilisch – 2023 CARS Pro Late Model Tour Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Archived from the original on August 15, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  33. ^ "Connor Zilisch – 2022 Carolina Pro Late Model Series Results". CPLMS. CPLMS. Archived from the original on August 6, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
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