Connor Zilisch, driver of the #28 Chevrolet Performance Chevrolet, prepares prior to final practice during the General Tire 100 for the ARCA Menards Series at Watkins Glen International on August 18, 2023 in Watkins Glen, New York. (Bryan Bennett/ARCA Racing)
(Photo: Bryan Bennett/ARCA Racing)

Connor Zilisch takes LMP2 victory in Rolex 24 at Daytona

www.arcaracing.com January 29, 2024

The 2024 season got off to a strong start for Connor Zilisch at Daytona International Speedway this weekend.

Joining a strong driver roster for Era Motorsport that consisted of Dwight Merriman, Ryan Dalziel, and Christian Rasmussen, Zilisch and his fellow drivers endured a grueling 24 hours of competition to take home the LMP2 class victory in the Rolex 24 on Sunday afternoon.


With his triumph, Zilisch becomes the second-youngest driver to win the Rolex 24 at 17 years and 191 days old. The only driver ahead of Zilisch in this category is Michael de Quesada, who won the GT Daytona class in 2007 at 17 years, 63 days old.

Zilisch, who signed a developmental contract with Trackhouse Racing in the offseason, has a diverse schedule in 2024 racing across the ARCA Menards Series platform. This schedule also includes select appearances in the NASCAR Xfinity and Craftsman Truck Series races, along with limited starts in the zMAX CARS Tour, Mazda MX-5 Cup Series and the SCCA Trans-Am TA2 Series.

The debut race for Zilisch in the ARCA Menards Series last August at Watkins Glen International was an impressive one. Zilisch led a race-high 34 laps but was passed in the final corner on the last lap by eventual champion Jesse Love as a steady rain had begun to fall around the track.

As part of his developmental deal with Trackhouse, Zilisch is set to contest most, if not all of the ARCA Menards Series East with Pinnacle Racing Group, which finished second in the point standings last year with Luke Fenhaus behind the wheel. The East Series opener will take place at Five Flags Speedway on Saturday, March 23.