Sports

Zilisch lands Cup ride with Trackhouse Racing

Published

2 months ago

August 26, 2025

admin

Associated Press

Aug 23, 2025, 03:03 PM ET

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Connor Zilisch paused to compose himself before wiping away tears, then spent the next 20 minutes using his shirt as a handkerchief.

It was an emotional promotion at Daytona International Speedway, even if it was one of the worst-kept secrets in NASCAR this season.

Zilisch, a 19-year-old phenom who has seven victories in NASCAR’s second-tier Xfinity Series, officially landed a Cup ride for 2026 on Saturday. It was long expected to happen, so much so that Trackhouse Racing owner Justin Marks joked that “we’re here to shock the world with an announcement that nobody saw coming.”

Marks said Zilisch signed a multiyear contract to drive full time for Trackhouse next year. Zilisch will replace Daniel Suarez in a yet-to-be-numbered Chevrolet and join teammates Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen in Marks’ three-car team.

“I never thought I would make it anywhere in racing,” Zilisch said before pausing to compose himself. “My parents have been behind me since Day 1, through every moment, the good, the bad. There were many times I questioned why I left school, left my friends to make this commitment to go to the Cup Series and try and chase a dream of racing in motorsports.

“I never knew what was ahead of me. There were times five years ago I thought I was just going to go to college and live the life of a normal kid.”

Both of Zilisch’s parents teared up as he spoke, with his dad later saying his son is “normally very stoic.”

Zilisch raced competitively in go-karts as a kid, including a stint in Europe at age 11. The Mooresville, North Carolina, driver turned pro in 2021.

Since then, Zilisch found success in every series he’s entered. In the last two years, he won the 2024 Rolex 24 and the 12 Hours of Sebring as well as five ARCA races, two NASCAR Truck Series poles, plus a victory in a CARS Tour late model race.

Zilisch has been a Trackhouse developmental driver for two years. He showed he’s ready for NASCAR’s top level by winning often with JR Motorsports. He currently leads the Xfinity Series points standings.

He has eight victories in 27 Xfinity starts. He has reeled off 12 consecutive top-five finishes, including winning at Daytona on Friday night after giving way to backup driver Parker Kligerman.

Zilisch started the race less than two weeks after breaking his collarbone during a nasty, slip-and-fall accident in victory lane. He was cleared to return at Daytona and started the race. Kligerman stepped in during the event, and Zilisch ran across the infield grass to greet him at the finish line.

Zilisch had surgery last week to insert a plate in his shoulder to stabilize the broken bone. His foot caught on his window net at Watkins Glen on Aug. 9, causing him to fall head-first onto the concrete.

“Connor is a rare talent that comes along every few decades,” Marks said. “I have watched Connor grow from a kid racing go-karts at the Trackhouse Motorplex to an up-close seat as he beat all of us in the Trans Am races a few years ago. He quickly adapted to everything we have put him in, and what he is doing with JR Motorsports in Xfinity this season is historic.

“Connor is very mature, poised, and I know ready for Cup racing in 2026. He’s been mentored along the way by former racer Josh Wise and Dr. Eric Warren at General Motors. I can speak for everyone at Trackhouse Racing when I say we have a tremendous amount of faith in this young man.”

Marks expects to announce Zilisch’s car number, sponsorship, crew chief and crew lineup in the coming weeks.

Sports

Tampa named host city for 2029 CFP title game

Published

8 hours ago

October 29, 2025

admin

Tampa named host city for 2029 CFP title game

Tampa will host the College Football Playoff national championship game at Raymond James Stadium on Jan. 22, 2029, the CFP announced Wednesday.

Tampa will become the fourth city to host the CFP title game for a second time, joining Atlanta, New Orleans and Miami Gardens, Fla.

“We are excited to bring the College Football Playoff National Championship back to Tampa Bay in 2029,” CFP executive director Rich Clark said in a news release. “The city has established itself as an exceptional host for world-class sporting events, and its vibrant downtown, beautiful waterfront, and proven commitment to excellence make it an ideal setting for college football’s greatest night. We look forward to partnering with the Tampa Bay Sports Commission and local leaders to deliver a national championship experience worthy of college football’s biggest stage.”

The 2029 game will be the 15th national championship game in the CFP era, which went into effect following the 2014 college football season.

Miami will host the next national championship game on Jan. 19 at Hard Rock Stadium, a game that will feature the winners of the Fiesta and Peach bowls, which will host the semifinals.

The 2027 site will be Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, followed by the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans in 2028.

Sports

Sources: Cincy leading rusher Pryor out vs. Utah

Published

8 hours ago

October 29, 2025

admin

Sources: Cincy leading rusher Pryor out vs. Utah

Cincinnati senior running back Evan Pryor will be officially listed as out with an ankle injury on the Big 12 availability report for the game at No. 24 Utah on Saturday, per sources.

There’s hope Pryor can return for No. 17 Cincinnati’s Nov. 15 game at home against Arizona, per sources.

Pryor suffered the ankle injury against Baylor last week. Pryor, an Ohio State transfer, is the leading rusher for the Bearcats with 478 yards, and he averages 7.2 yards per carry.

Cincinnati head coach Scott Satterfield said earlier this week that Pryor was expected to be out this week.

At Utah on Saturday night, Cincinnati is expected to lean on Wisconsin transfer Tawee Walker, who has 466 yards and averages 5.2 yards per carry.

Cincinnati has a bye after the game at Utah.

Sports

Just like old times? Orgeron talks LSU return

Published

8 hours ago

October 29, 2025

admin

Just like old times? Orgeron talks LSU return

Oct 29, 2025, 01:07 PM ET

LSU football has a high-profile coaching vacancy, and a familiar face has thrown his hat into the ring.

Ed Orgeron, who was ousted by LSU less than two years after coaching the Tigers to a national championship, said he “would love” to return to the school as Brian Kelly’s replacement.

LSU fired Kelly in stunning fashion Sunday, citing the “high hopes” that the program failed to reach under his leadership and announcing that a “national search” was underway for the Tigers’ new coach.

Three days later, during an interview Wednesday with ESPN’s “UnSportsmanLike,” Orgeron was asked whether he wanted his old job back.

“I’d love to,” Orgeron responded. “Are you kidding me? Hey, I’m one phone call away. I just gotta get in my truck; I could be there today.”

One of the top coaches currently linked to the LSU job is Ole Miss‘ Lane Kiffin, who also worked with Orgeron at USC.

Orgeron, who has been out of coaching since leaving LSU in 2021, was asked Wednesday if he would consider returning to the program as an assistant under Kiffin.

“Yeah, I’d consider it,” he said. “I love LSU. I still got my home in Baton Rouge. I loved when I was coaching for Coach Miles being the defensive line coach. I love the Tigers, and if I’m getting back into coaching, for sure I’d consider it. No doubt.”

Orgeron’s tenure as LSU’s head coach ended after the 2021 season in what he described as a mutual decision between himself and the school. He went 51-20 in his six years at LSU, highlighted by the Tigers’ 15-0 run in a 2019 season punctuated by an NCAA championship.

Orgeron, who grew up rooting for the Tigers in nearby Larose, Louisiana, said LSU’s next head coach must embrace being a part of the state’s culture — something he says Kelly never did.

“I think that’s one of the things — whether it’s true or not — the look from the outside, Brian Kelly never embraced the state of Louisiana,” he said. “When you get those guys on your side, it’s very powerful. I think getting everybody to pull in the same direction, like Pete Carroll did, like we did, one team, one heartbeat, is gonna be the key for the next coach.”