Congrats, Connor…and Mr. H, too

Last week, it was confirmed that Connor Zilisch will be racing for Hendrick Motorsports starting with the 2028 NASCAR Cup season after getting his launch into the Cup Series with Trackhouse. 

We first got to know Connor as he made a big impression in the Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup Series, having earned a a $110,000 scholarship to race in the series from Mazda in the 2021 MX-5 Cup Shootout. 

He had an immediate competitive presence, leading laps in the season opener at Daytona, winning in his ninth start, going on to win Rookie of the Year honors, and—at the checkered flag of the final race of the season, it seemed the Championship as well. 

But a post-race penalty for another driver meant that the finishing order changed, and left Connor on the outside looking in as another driver brought home the Championship and the $250,000 prize that goes with it. 

At the awards banquet that series manager Andersen Promotions staged that night, Zilisch did not look like someone who had missed out on the chance to be champion and a six-figure check.

Instead, he was dressed the part, gave a great speech to accept the rookie of the year award, and relayed none of the frustration or disappointment that you might expect someone so young to show in such a tough circumstance.

He was equally adept at absorbing congratulations as he was condolences that night, showing fantastic grace that once again didn’t align with his DOB. 

We knew that he was a star in the making, and his Rolex and Sebring wins, not to mention his nine career Mazda MX-5 Cup wins speak to that. 

Talent is a rare thing, so it is great to know that there is also a great kid under that helmet. Congrats to Connor, and even more so, to Hendrick.

Images via Mazda c/o the amazing group at Ignite