Connor Zilisch: A Simple Guide to His Life, Racing, and Rise

Last Updated on July 28, 2025 by Johnny Peter

In this article, you will learn about Connor Zilisch’s age and many aspects of his life and racing career. We will explain his age, his origin, and how he became a top young race car driver. All writing is straightforward, making it easy for children to follow.

We will discuss his early background, family, and how he began his career in go-karts. We will explain his personal life and racing relationships. We also share how he built his career step by step. We will cover his net worth, his earnings, and his lifestyle.

Every part is presented in short paragraphs, making reading easy and enjoyable. Ultimately, there are common questions and a clear conclusion. This article helps you know Connor Zilisch’s age and learn about his passions, achievements, and plans.

Wiki/Bio

Category	Details
Full Name	Connor Jackson Zilisch
Family	Born in Charlotte, North Carolina. Mother Janice Kerr was a gymnast. Close with family.
Career	American racing driver. Competes in NASCAR Xfinity, ARCA, Trans-Am, and IMSA.
Net Worth	Estimated to be between $500,000 and $1 million by 2025.
Height	About 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight	Around 150 lb (68 kg)
Age	18 years old in 2025, born July 22, 2006
Eye Color	Blue
Hair Color	Light brown
Body Type	Athletic, racing physique
Ethnicity	American
Relationship	Reportedly dating LSU swimmer Lauren Bernardo

Connor Zilisch is an American racecar driver from North Carolina. He began racing go-karts at age five in 2011 and became the first American to win the FIA Karting Academy Trophy in 2020. He advanced into cars in 2021 and quickly earned rookie of the year awards. Today, he races full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for JR Motorsports and also holds a development contract with Trackhouse Racing. He competes across ARCA, Trans-Am, IMSA endurance races, and more. At just 18 years old in 2025, he has already won major endurance races, such as the 24 Hours of Daytona, and major stock car races, including Watkins Glen.

Early Life and Background

Connor Zilisch was born on July 22, 2006, in Charlotte, North Carolina. He began racing go-karts at the age of 5, starting a long path in motorsports. His mother was a gymnast, showing athletic roots in his family.

He spent ten years karting in the US and Europe. In 2017, he won the Mini ROK World Championship in Italy, and in 2020, he captured the FIA Karting Academy Trophy, making history as the first American to win that series.

He moved into car racing in 2021, competing in the SCCA Spec Miata, earning Rookie of the Year honors, and winning a scholarship for the Mazda MX-5 Cup. That same year, he started racing TA2 cars and earned poles and invitations for full campaigns in 2022.

His early life and karting years shaped his discipline, speed, and ambition, as he balanced racing in Europe and the US while growing up in North Carolina.

Personal Life and Relationships

Connor Zilisch keeps much of his personal life private. He is from Charlotte, where he grew up with family support and a passion for racing from a young age. His mother was a former Canadian gymnast, which helped nurture his athletic side.

Recent reports link him romantically with LSU swimmer Lauren Bernardo, which stemmed from shared hometown roots and family holiday photos in late 2024. He neither publicly confirmed nor denied the relationship, but it has drawn media interest.

Outside of racing, he values privacy and stays focused on his career. He lives in Mooresville/Weddington, NC, traveling for races while balancing school, training, and work.

Career and Achievements

Connor began racing cars in early 2021, at the age of 14, competing in the Spec Miata class with the Sports Car Club of America. He set multiple track records and finished on podiums, earning Rookie of the Year at the SCCA Run‑offs. He also won a $110,000 scholarship to race in the 2022 Mazda MX-5 Cup.

He ran in Trans-Am TA2 races in late 2021, earning a pole position and breaking track records as a rookie before racing full-time in 2022. In 2023, he won five Trans-Am races and his first CARS Tour Pro Late Model race at Ace Speedway.

His breakthrough came in 2024 when he won the 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring in the LMP2 class on his first attempts. Weeks later, he made his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut at Watkins Glen and won the race, becoming the first driver in decades to win in their debut start.

He signed with JR Motorsports as a full-time Xfinity driver in 2025 and has also competed in NASCAR Cup races, including the Coca-Cola 600. In 2025, he has already won multiple Xfinity races, including Dover, Sonoma, and Pocono, leading wins and winning the BetRivers 200 at Dover in a rain-shortened fashion.

Net Worth Overview

Year	Estimated Net Worth	Notes
2022	$200,000–$300,000	Earned from scholarships, early wins in Miata/TA2 classes
2023	$400,000	Success in Trans-Am and ARCA late model wins
2024	$600,000	Daytona/Sebring LMP2 wins and Xfinity debut victory
2025	$800,000 to $1,000,000	Xfinity wins, NASCAR contracts, development deals

As of 2025, Connor Zilisch’s net worth is estimated at around $800,000 to $1 million. His income comes from racing contracts, prize money, sponsorships, and development deals with JR Motorsports and Trackhouse Racing.

Major Sources of Income

Racing contracts: with JR Motorsports and Trackhouse Racing in Xfinity and Cup development
Prize money: from wins in NASCAR, endurance races, Trans-Am, and ARCA
Sponsorship deals: including major brands supporting a rising star
Scholarships: such as $110,000 Mazda MX-5 Cup award
Media appearances and endorsements tied to motorsport visibility

Luxurious Lifestyle

As a young rising star, Connor enjoys a comfortable living in Mooresville/Weddington, NC, close to the racing hubs.
He travels nationwide and internationally for races, team events, and media opportunities.
He has access to high-performance training, race gear, and elite racing facilities.
While being youthful, his lifestyle reflects early success, travel, and focus on craft.

Hobbies and Fun Facts

Connor started racing at age five, showing passion from childhood
He became the first American to win the CIK‑FIA Karting Academy Trophy in 2020
He has competed successfully in many series: from karting to sports cars, Trans-Am, ARCA, IMSA, and NASCAR
He won both the 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring LMP2 class in 2024 on his first attempt
He won his first NASCAR Xfinity Series start at Watkins Glen in 2024 and led laps at Dover and Sonoma in 2025
He is known for doing a ‘shoey’, drinking champagne from his shoe in celebration
He signed a multi-year deal with Trackhouse Racing and is full-time in Xfinity for JR Motorsports in 2025
At just 18, he has multiple wins, accolades, and signs of being NASCAR’s next big star
Fans and experts praise his calm, mature driving, especially in close finishes like Sonoma, where he beat Shane van Gisbergen by 0.04 seconds

Future Prospects

Connor likely plans to continue winning races in the Xfinity Series, aiming for a championship.
He may step up to full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series with Trackhouse Racing in the coming years.
He could compete more effectively in IMSA and endurance racing, building on his success in the LMP2 class.
He may explore roles as a brand ambassador or in motorsport media, given his growing popularity.
He may mentor younger drivers as his career matures and manage his racing path.

Impact on Social Media

Connor is active on Instagram and TikTok, often sharing race highlights and behind-the-scenes moments.
Fans follow his journey from karting to top-tier racing on social media platforms.
His media exposure increases sponsorship and fan engagement across media channels.
His youth and achievements inspire other young athletes and racing fans
He demonstrates how talent, discipline, and visibility can build influence on social platforms

Social Media Profile

Platform	Link
Wikipedia	Clic k here
Instagram	Click here

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Connor Zilisch (@connorzilisch)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How old is Connor Zilisch?

A: He is 18 years old in 2025, born on July 22, 2006.

Q: Where is he from?

A: He is from Charlotte/Mooresville, North Carolina.

Q: What major races has he won?

A: He won the 24 Hours of Daytona, 12 Hours of Sebring, and Xfinity races, including Watkins Glen and Dover.

Q: What series does he race now?

A: He races full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for JR Motorsports, and also competes in IMSA, Trans-Am, and ARCA.

Q: Is he dating someone?

A: He has been romantically linked to LSU swimmer Lauren Bernardo, though neither confirmed it publicly.

Conclusion

Connor Zilisch is an 18-year-old American race car driver from North Carolina with a fast-rising career. He began kart racing at age five and became the first American to win the FIA Karting Academy Trophy in 2020. Since moving to cars in 2021, he has quickly advanced through series like Trans-Am, ARCA, IMSA, and NASCAR.

He has already won major endurance races in the LMP2 class and earned multiple NASCAR Xfinity Series victories, including his debut win at Watkins Glen in 2024. As of 2025, he races full-time for JR Motorsports and is part of the Trackhouse Racing program.

With an estimated net worth of $800,000 to $1 million, he lives a lifestyle rooted in racing, reminiscent of a rising star. His maturity, sportsmanship, and youth make him one to watch. At age 18, his future in motorsports looks bright, and many expect him to reach the Cup Series and beyond in the years ahead.