rifan muazin
Daytona Beach, FL – Promising NASCAR talent Connor Zilisch is set to embark on a significant new chapter in his burgeoning motorsport career, securing a highly sought-after test opportunity in a Cadillac V-Series.R LMDh prototype at Daytona International Speedway. The 19-year-old, currently the NASCAR Xfinity Series runner-up, will participate in an IMSA-sanctioned test from November 14th to 16th. This extensive evaluation is widely seen as a critical step in assessing Zilisch for a potential full-time drive in the premier GTP class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship for the 2025 season, including the prestigious Rolex 24 At Daytona.
Zilisch will share the #31 Action Express Racing Cadillac V-Series.R with a formidable lineup of seasoned endurance racing veterans. The confirmed co-drivers for the test include Jack Aitken, Earl Bamber, and Frederik Vesti. This ensemble of talent provides Zilisch with an invaluable opportunity to learn from some of the best in the sport as he navigates the complexities of top-tier prototype racing.
This Daytona test represents a crucial moment for Zilisch, who has already demonstrated considerable prowess in sports car racing, having secured two LMP2 class victories in the current IMSA SportsCar Championship season. His performance in the prototype ranks has not gone unnoticed by Cadillac’s factory racing program, which is keen to explore his potential in their top-flight GTP machinery.
"Hopefully, we’re going to make the most of it and see if this can lead to more opportunities for me in the Cadillac, because it would be super cool for me to be able to race at the highest levels of endurance racing," Zilisch stated, expressing his ambition and the significance of this potential career trajectory. "That’s always been a dream of mine." The prospect of competing in the world’s most challenging endurance races, a staple of motorsport history, aligns perfectly with Zilisch’s stated aspirations.
Related News :
- Legal Battle Intensifies as 23XI, Front Row Demand Unrestricted Testimony from Penske, Hendrick in NASCAR Antitrust Trial
- Hendrick Motorsports Engineer Tapped as Ross Chastain’s New Crew Chief for 2026 Season
- NASCAR Cup Series 2025: Unpacking the Fiercest Intra-Team Rivalries
- 2026 NASCAR Season Broadcast Details and Start Times Unveiled
- JR Motorsports Confirms 2026 Daytona 500 Bid with Reigning Xfinity Champion Justin Allgaier
The announcement of this Daytona test comes on the heels of a frustrating setback for Zilisch in his international sports car ambitions. Just days prior, it was reported that he was denied an opportunity to test the same Cadillac LMDh in the World Endurance Championship’s (WEC) rookie test in Bahrain. The reason cited for this exclusion was a deficiency in ACCUS (Automobile Competition Committee for the United States) license points, a requirement for international competition. This situation highlights the intricate regulatory landscape governing driver eligibility across different motorsport disciplines.
The loss of the WEC test opportunity stems, in part, from the outcome of the NASCAR Xfinity Series season. Zilisch was a strong contender for the championship title, but ultimately finished as runner-up to Jesse Love. This outcome was influenced by NASCAR’s playoff system, which can sometimes lead to unexpected championship results based on a structured elimination format rather than pure season-long points accumulation. The championship loss meant Zilisch did not accrue the necessary ACCUS license points required for the Bahrain test.
Zilisch’s trajectory in NASCAR is also on a steep upward climb. He is slated to move to the NASCAR Cup Series in 2026, joining Trackhouse Racing. He is widely anticipated to succeed Daniel Suarez in one of the team’s highly competitive entries, a move that signals significant faith in his abilities from one of NASCAR’s prominent organizations.
The Daytona test will also feature another notable driver making their debut in the Cadillac V-Series.R: Colton Herta. Herta, a prominent figure in American open-wheel racing and a Cadillac Formula 1 reserve driver, will be transitioning to F2 next year in pursuit of his Formula 1 ambitions. Herta brings a wealth of experience from diverse racing disciplines, including a victory in the 2024 Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring for Acura and prior experience in the BMW M Hybrid V8. He will participate in the official IMSA test with Wayne Taylor Racing, another powerhouse team in the GTP category. The presence of both Herta and Zilisch underscores Cadillac’s commitment to evaluating a broad spectrum of talent for its future endeavors in global endurance racing.
Action Express Racing, the team Zilisch will drive for during the test, is a highly decorated team in North American sports car racing. They have a storied history of success in the IMSA series, including multiple championships and victories in the Rolex 24 At Daytona. Their experience in operating LMDh machinery and developing driver talent makes them an ideal environment for Zilisch to showcase his capabilities. The Cadillac V-Series.R itself has proven to be a competitive machine in the GTP class, demonstrating strong performance and reliability in its inaugural seasons.
The Daytona International Speedway, a legendary venue synonymous with motorsport history, provides a challenging and iconic backdrop for this critical evaluation. The 3.56-mile road course, incorporating the famed high-banked tri-oval, demands a unique blend of raw speed, technical precision, and endurance, making it a true test of both driver and machine. The multi-day test will allow Zilisch to familiarize himself with the car’s intricate systems, adapt to the unique demands of LMDh racing, and work closely with the engineering and race crews of Action Express Racing.
The transition from stock car racing to prototype sports cars involves a significant learning curve. LMDh prototypes represent the pinnacle of sports car technology, featuring hybrid powertrains, advanced aerodynamics, and complex driver aids. Drivers must master braking points, cornering techniques, energy management, and pit stop procedures that differ substantially from NASCAR. Zilisch’s existing success in LMP2, however, indicates a strong aptitude for adapting to these different racing paradigms.
His performance in the LMP2 class has been a key factor in his growing reputation within the sports car community. Victories in this highly competitive category, which serves as a proving ground for many aspiring GTP drivers, have provided him with invaluable race craft and experience in multi-class racing environments, a crucial element in endurance events like the Rolex 24.
The Rolex 24 At Daytona, the traditional season opener for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, is one of the most prestigious and demanding endurance races in the world. A strong performance in the upcoming test could pave the way for Zilisch to become a significant contender in this historic event, further solidifying his position as a versatile and elite racing talent capable of succeeding across different motorsport disciplines. The evaluation will not only focus on his raw speed but also on his ability to provide constructive feedback to the engineers, his consistency over long stints, and his performance in traffic.
For Cadillac, this test is part of their ongoing strategy to maintain a competitive edge in the fiercely contested GTP category. The manufacturer has invested heavily in the V-Series.R program, and the development of future talent is paramount to its long-term success. By providing opportunities to promising young drivers like Zilisch, Cadillac aims to secure a strong driver lineup for years to come, ensuring they remain at the forefront of sports car racing’s premier class. The success of this test could have far-reaching implications for Zilisch’s career, potentially opening doors to a future in global GT and prototype racing, alongside his established NASCAR commitments.
💬 Tinggalkan Komentar dengan Facebook
Author Profile
Latest entries
Nascar CupNovember 20, 2025NASCAR rising star Connor Zilisch Earns Coveted Daytona LMDh Prototype Test with Cadillac
Nascar CupNovember 20, 2025Racing Titans Hendrick and Penske Subpoenaed for Pivotal NASCAR Antitrust Testimony
Nascar CupNovember 20, 2025NASCAR Cup Series Sees Significant Shift in 2025 Television Viewership Amidst Broadcast Landscape Changes
Nascar CupNovember 20, 2025Seven-Time Champion Jimmie Johnson Set for Historic Return to San Diego on Inaugural NASCAR Street Course
Ali Akbar Rosady
arthur roy sitompul
Anshari Taslim