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Daytona Beach, FL – In a significant development for the future of sports car racing and a testament to his burgeoning talent, NASCAR Xfinity Series runner-up Connor Zilisch is slated to participate in a crucial IMSA-sanctioned test driving a Cadillac V-Series.R LMDh prototype at the iconic Daytona International Speedway. The highly anticipated three-day event, scheduled from November 14th to 16th, marks Zilisch’s maiden voyage behind the wheel of a top-tier endurance racing machine, offering a potential pathway into the elite Hypercar class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
The 19-year-old prodigy, who recently concluded a strong season in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, will share the No. 31 Action Express Racing Cadillac V-Series.R with a formidable lineup of seasoned endurance racing veterans. Alongside Zilisch will be Jack Aitken, Earl Bamber, and Frederik Vesti, all accomplished drivers with significant experience at the highest echelons of international motorsport. This collaborative test session is not merely a showcase of driving prowess but a critical evaluation for Zilisch, as Cadillac and Action Express Racing assess his potential for a full-time GTP drive in the 2025 season, with a specific eye on the prestigious Rolex 24 at Daytona, the season-opening event for the IMSA championship.
Zilisch, a native of Mooresville, North Carolina, has already demonstrated his versatility and aptitude in sports car racing, having secured two victories in the LMP2 class of the IMSA SportsCar Championship earlier this year. These successes, while impressive, were in a different category of prototype machinery. The LMDh (Le Mans Daytona h) regulations represent the pinnacle of current sports car prototype technology, and transitioning to such a complex and high-performance car requires a unique blend of speed, technical understanding, and endurance.
"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 commented on the upcoming test. "That’s always been a dream of mine." His ambition to compete in top-tier endurance racing underscores a growing trend of drivers bridging the gap between NASCAR’s stock car disciplines and the global appeal of sports car championships.
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The announcement of this Daytona test comes at a pivotal moment in Zilisch’s career. Just days prior, it was reported that he was denied an opportunity to test the same Cadillac LMDh car in the World Endurance Championship’s (WEC) Bahrain rookie test. The reason cited for this missed chance was a deficiency in ACCUS (Automobile Competition Committee for the United States) license points, a credentialing system that can be a hurdle for drivers primarily competing in domestic series like NASCAR.
This situation was directly linked to the conclusion of the NASCAR Xfinity Series season. Zilisch was a strong contender for the championship title, having led many laps and demonstrated consistent performance throughout the year. However, the intricacies of NASCAR’s playoff system, a structure often subject to debate among fans and analysts, ultimately saw him finish as runner-up to Jesse Love. While Zilisch himself expressed understanding, stating, "I don’t have any reason to be mad at you," referring to Love, the championship loss had a tangible consequence beyond the NASCAR oval, preventing him from accumulating the necessary ACCUS points for the WEC test.
Looking ahead, Zilisch’s long-term career trajectory is already being mapped out. He is slated to make a significant move up the NASCAR ladder, joining Trackhouse Racing for a transition into the NASCAR Cup Series in 2026. He is widely tipped to potentially succeed Daniel Suarez within the Trackhouse organization, a move that would place him among the sport’s elite competitors on a weekly basis.
The Daytona test also features another prominent figure making his debut in the Cadillac V-Series.R: Colton Herta. The highly rated American driver, who serves as a Formula 1 reserve for Red Bull Racing, is transitioning to Formula 2 for the upcoming season in pursuit of his Formula 1 aspirations. Herta brings a wealth of experience from various motorsport disciplines, including a victory in the 2024 12 Hours of Sebring with Acura and prior experience in the BMW M Hybrid V8. He will participate in the official IMSA test with Wayne Taylor Racing, another prominent team in the GTP category.
The Cadillac V-Series.R, developed by Cadillac Racing in collaboration with Dallara and supported by General Motors, has been a formidable presence in the GTP class since its introduction. Action Express Racing, the team Zilisch will drive for, has a storied history in IMSA, including multiple championship titles and victories in major endurance races. Their No. 31 entry has been a consistent challenger, driven by a roster of world-class talent. The team’s technical director and race engineers will be instrumental in guiding Zilisch through the complexities of the LMDh platform, which combines a chassis built to LMDh regulations with a GM-designed internal combustion engine and a standardized hybrid system.
The LMDh regulations, jointly developed by IMSA and the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) for the FIA World Endurance Championship, aim to create a unified top class of prototype racing, allowing manufacturers to compete on both sides of the Atlantic with a single car platform. This convergence has led to a surge in manufacturer interest and a highly competitive grid in both IMSA GTP and WEC Hypercar. The Daytona test provides a crucial opportunity for drivers like Zilisch to gain exposure and experience within this evolving global landscape of sports car racing.
Zilisch’s participation in the Daytona test is more than just a single driving opportunity; it represents a potential pivot point in his career. His success in NASCAR has garnered significant attention, and his ability to adapt to the demands of prototype racing could open doors to a dual career or a full transition into sports car endurance racing. The feedback he provides during the test, coupled with his on-track performance, will be meticulously analyzed by the Cadillac and Action Express Racing teams as they finalize their driver lineups for the demanding 2025 season. The historic banked turns of Daytona International Speedway will serve as the ultimate proving ground for this promising young talent.
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