CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Connor Zilisch will race full-time in JR Motorsports’ No. 88 Chevrolet in NASCAR’s Xfinity Series next season, the next step for the promising Trackhouse Racing development driver following victories in several series this season.

Zilisch turned 18 on July 22 to become eligible to race in NASCAR’s second-tier series. He set a track record to win the pole and finish fourth in his Truck Series debut at Austin, Texas, in March and is considered one of racing’s up and coming drivers with class wins at the Rolex 24 at Daytona, Twelve Hours of Sebring and four ARCA series events.

Zilisch joins the team owned by retired NASCAR great Dale Earnhardt Jr. that is a perennial Xfinity title contender that has helped launched Cup Series careers for Chase Elliott, Brad Keselowski, William Byron and Tyler Reddick, among others. He will make the first of four Xfinity starts for JR Motorsports on Sept. 14 at Watkins Glen, New York, along with speedway starts at Kansas, Homestead-Miami and Phoenix.

Zilisch called this “an amazing moment” in a release and thanked Chevrolet, Trackhouse and ARCA team Silver Hare Racing.

“It is mind-blowing to think that I will drive for JR Motorsports and Dale Earnhardt, Jr., who is one of my heroes," he said. "I’m ready to put in the work.”

Trackhouse owner Justin Marks said the pairing with JRM was intentional and added that a sponsorship deal will be announced later this year.

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