“That’s never gonna happen.” Those doubtful words, uttered by the 16-year-old boy just two years ago, now hang in the air like tire smoke after a victory burnout. This statement was Connor Zilisch’s reaction to his performance coach Josh Wise’s suggestion that a NASCAR Cup Series debut could be possible by 2025. Fast forward to today, and Zilisch isn’t just preparing for his rookie NASCAR season, he’s making a giant leap with a Cup Series debut. Given his talent and rapid rise, the Cup debut was only a matter of time. But the Trackhouse Racing driver didn’t expect this special moment to arrive so early in his professional career.

At 18 years and 223 days, Connor Zilisch will set a new record when he rolls out in his No. 87 Red Bull Chevy at COTA. Only a handful of drivers in NASCAR history have ever made their Cup Series debut before turning 19, placing Zilisch in the company of racing prodigies like Joey Logano and Erik Jones. Well the three-time champ, Logano’s record is out of reach for the 18-year-old driver, but he will leapfrog the likes of Chase Elliott and Jones who are active Cup Series drivers.

But behind the statistics and historical comparisons lies an almost eerie story of accidental prophecy. “I remember two years ago I was sitting down with Josh Wise and we were talking about kind of a game plan of how the next three years would go for my career,” Zilisch recently revealed. “He had Cup series debut in the 2025 list and I was like that’s never gonna happen.”  The seemingly dismissive comments he heard two years ago turned out to be actual manifestations yet he never believed they could happen as quickly as reality unfolded.

This type of accidental manifestation adds a fascinating dimension to Zilisch’s already impressive racing resume. The young driver didn’t just meet the timeline that once seemed laughably ambitious – he beat it. Before moving onto the Cup Series, Zilisch has already established himself as a strong force in Trans Am TA2 events by winning five races while becoming the youngest class winner ever at the 24 Hours of Daytona at 17 years and 144 days. Not to forget he is the first American to claim the CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy. Zilisch could’ve opted to race in the open-wheel in Europe’s premier motorsports series F1, but he chose to return to his roots back home in America.

“It still hasn’t sunk in but you know I’m four or five days away from making my debut which is wild to think about,” Zilisch continued with a mix of excitement and nervousness evident in his voice. “In a Red Bull car bringing them back to the sport, it all feels like a dream but it’s pretty sick.” More about this in the latter half, but if Zilisch manages to win a race this season, he would shatter Logano’s 15-year-old record as the youngest Cup Series winner (19 years, 35 days) by nearly a full year.

The parallels to NASCAR’s previous teenage phenoms are unavoidable. Elliott who was emerging as the up-and-coming star driver dazzled the ovals during his days racing in the Truck Series. At the time he became the youngest driver to win a race aged 17 and 9 months. This record was shattered by Cole Custer in 2017 when he won at New Hampshire at just 16 years, 7 months, and 28 days. Now the torch is in Connor Zilisch’s hand as he looks to make history with his Cup Series debut this weekend at COTA.

Well apart from Justin Marks and Dale Jr.’s support, there’s another key player who played a major role in setting up Zilisch’s dream debut in the Cup Series.

Red Bull Racing’s Return Adds Fuel to Zilisch’s Debut

The __ that moves Zilisch’s story beyond just another young driver’s first race involves his sponsor’s comeback story. Red Bull’s return to NASCAR’s top tier after a 13-year absence signals a renewed corporate faith in the sport’s direction. During their 2007-2011 NASCAR engagement, the energy drink team registered one victory at Michigan with Brian Vickers while achieving 26 top-five finishes from 284 starts before disbanding.

The industry views this collaboration as an ideal match for Red Bull’s worldwide motorsport principles. The agreement between Red Bull and Zilisch represents ideal synergy according to team owners since it unites the driver’s youthful achievements with the organization’s dedication to nurturing young talent throughout motorsports. The company employs the same Formula 1 method that led Max Verstappen to earn three world championships by racing at 17 years old.

For Zilisch, the skyrocketing journey from career planning session to Cup Series debut embodies NASCAR’s unpredictable nature and the sport’s continued ability to create new stars. As he prepares to take the green flag, the 18-year-old carries not just his own aspirations but the renewed hopes of a returning sponsor and the legacy of young drivers. In NASCAR, sometimes the words “that’s never gonna happen” are precisely what set the impossible in motion.