All eyes were on Connor Zilisch. Despite being just 18 years old, the talented youngster was not an underdog at the Rolex 24 At Daytona. Why would he be? He had already won the LMP2 class at the prestigious event last year, and expectations were high from the North Carolina native this time around. Racing under the banner of Trackhouse Racing and TF Sport, the racer was responsible for the final stint of the race, but that’s when everything went wrong.

Driving the No. 91 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3R, Zilisch made a costly error in the final hour of the race, which forced his car to collide with a rival. Despite the setback, the NASCAR community rallied behind the young driver, expressing their support on social media.

Connor Zilisch is already aiming for redemption

Things were looking good for the Trackhouse Racing by TF Sport entry. The No. 91 Corvette was running inside the top five as the final hour approached in the Rolex 24 At Daytona. Connor Zilisch was behind the wheel, hoping to gain some valuable track positions and secure another memorable victory at the prestigious event. However, while entering Turn 1, the racer spun and collided with an Era Motorsport car, which resulted in a drive-through penalty. It was a major blow to the team, who were looking to secure a victory, but were forced to settle for a ninth-place result in the end.

Acknowledging his fault in the outcome of the race, Connor Zilisch wrote on Instagram, “My second Daytona 24 hour is all done. We were running inside the top 3 with an hour to go when I made a mistake and cost us a chance at a good result. Had a ton of fun with all my teammates anyways! Big thanks to @tf_sport, @teamtrackhouse, @weathertech, and @teamchevy. Can’t wait to get another shot at this race next year👊🏼”

Zilisch is one of the brightest talents in the motorsports world. Despite his young age, the North Carolina native was not only the 2024 Rolex 24 At Daytona winner, but he also went on to triumph at the 2024 12 Hours of Sebring in the LMP2 category. His impressive achievements don’t end there, as the JR Motorsports driver also won a race at Watkins Glen in his debut Xfinity Series race, and secured five wins in the 2024 ARCA Menards Series in just eight appearances. Given his potential, the mistake at Daytona International Speedway seems like a minor hiccup in what has otherwise been a very impressive start to his motorsports career.

It’s an experience Connor Zilisch will learn from. Given his racing prowess, it’s not the last time that the driver will be participating in the prestigious endurance race, and he will be eager to make amends after making a mistake. The 18-year-old expressed his annoyance at the way the race ended, going on to say, “I’m really frustrated with my final two stints. We had a really good shot. We were third, saving fuel, and would have been good there for that last run if I didn’t make that one mistake and get a drive-through.” He might not have won the race for his team, but Zilisch surely won the hearts of fans, many of whom took to social media to express their support for the youngster.

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Fans continue to back Zilisch despite Rolex 24 mistake

Connor Zilisch is what one may describe as a ‘generational talent’. The youngster is on the verge of a breakthrough NASCAR season with JR Motorsports, which will be his first full-time stint in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Competing at the Rolex 24 At Daytona will give him some much-needed momentum ahead of the season opener at the same venue, and fans can’t help but be excited at his immense potential. Expressing support for the young racer, one fan wrote, “Watched in person and amazing drive young man.! Can’t wait to see what you take on next 💪🏽🏁”.

The 18-year-old drove with maturity beyond his years at Daytona International Speedway and did well to keep his team in contention for a victory in the closing stages of the race. Acknowledging Zilisch’s contributions, a fan wrote, “Awesome racing! Hell of a push in the final hours.” The North Carolina native’s performance won over a motorsports enthusiast, who is eager to see the racer compete at the endurance race in 2026 as well. Expressing support on X (formerly known as Twitter), the fan said, “You were fantastic again, the results don’t show it, but it was your driving that really showed how good you were. Hope to see you back next year!!”

A Denny Hamlin fan urged Connor Zilisch to bounce back from the Rolex 24 setback and succeed in his debut season with JR Motorsports. In a heartwarming message, the fan expressed support for the rookie driver by saying, “My new favorite nascar driver after Hamlin retires love this kids talent, win the xfinity championship in your rookie year.” Endurance races such as the 24 Hours At Daytona test drivers to physical and mental limits. It’s a lesson Zilisch has learned the hard way early on in his career, but one which will pay off in the long run. Complimenting the North Carolina native’s performance, an X user said, “Earned the right to run the final stint over the other three. Great drive overall. 🤘🏼The spin is only a reminder that every single turn over 24 hrs is crucial.”

What are your expectations for Connor Zilisch in 2025?