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Trackhouse Racing’s Power Play: Is Connor Zilisch NASCAR’s Next Untouchable Superstar?

Arthur Ling by Arthur Ling
February 14, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 5 mins read
0
Trackhouse Racing’s Power Play: Is Connor Zilisch NASCAR’s Next Untouchable Superstar?

Nov 9, 2024; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Connor Zilisch (88) during the Championship race at Phoenix Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

At just 18 years old, Connor Zilisch isn’t just another young prospect—he’s a game-changer in the making. After shocking the NASCAR world with a dominant Xfinity Series debut win at Watkins Glen, the rising star is now set to take on a full-time ride with JR Motorsports in 2025. But while his talent is undeniable, a brewing power struggle between Trackhouse Racing and Hendrick Motorsports is turning his future into one of NASCAR’s most intriguing behind-the-scenes battles.

Trackhouse, the team that discovered and nurtured Zilisch, doesn’t have its own lower-tier development program—so they loaned him to Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s JR Motorsports for his Xfinity run. Sounds simple, right? Wrong. Because JRM is heavily intertwined with Rick Hendrick’s empire, and Trackhouse CEO Justin Marks isn’t about to let Hendrick sink his claws into their young star.

With tensions rising, Trackhouse is taking extraordinary measures to keep Zilisch under its wing. But is this smart team management—or a sign of paranoia?


The Battle for Control: Trackhouse Draws a Line in the Sand

For years, JR Motorsports and Hendrick Motorsports have operated as an extension of one another. JRM has relied on HMS engines, chassis, and technical support ever since merging Busch Series operations with Hendrick back in 2008. That connection has made JRM a breeding ground for future HMS superstars, including Chase Elliott, William Byron, and Alex Bowman.

So, when Trackhouse loaned Connor Zilisch to JRM, there was an immediate concern—would Hendrick try to claim him as their own?

According to NASCAR insider Bozi Tatarevic, Trackhouse is making sure that doesn’t happen.

“It looks like @ConnorZilisch will have a @TeamTrackhouse pit crew for his No. 88 at @JRMotorsports which makes sense as Trackhouse likely wants to be able to control as many variables as possible which they wouldn’t be able to do if he had an HMS crew like other JRM cars.”

In other words, Marks is keeping Hendrick at arm’s length. Instead of allowing Zilisch’s pit crew to be staffed by HMS personnel—like every other JRM car—Trackhouse is bringing in its own crew, pulled directly from Daniel Suárez’s No. 99 Cup team.

Why? Simple. If HMS controlled the pit crew, they would have direct access to Zilisch’s performance data, race-day strategies, and chemistry-building opportunities with key personnel. By placing Trackhouse’s own people in the trenches, Marks ensures Hendrick doesn’t get a free pass to groom Zilisch for a future spot at HMS.


A Smart Move or a Sign of Paranoia?

Trackhouse’s move has sparked heated debates across the NASCAR garage. Some say this is a brilliant strategic move—Trackhouse discovered Zilisch, has backed him from the beginning, and has every right to control his development.

But others believe this level of micromanagement is overkill. After all, Dale Jr. is running the team—not Rick Hendrick. And while JRM has an unquestionable bond with HMS, there’s no public indication that Hendrick has any plans to steal Zilisch away.

Yet, the fear is understandable. HMS has a history of securing top-tier talent early and setting them on a clear path to Cup dominance. Chase Elliott and William Byron were both nurtured through JRM before moving into Hendrick’s championship-caliber Cup rides.

Zilisch, on the other hand, already has a Cup future with Trackhouse—he’s set to make his debut in the No. 87 Chevrolet at Circuit of the Americas in 2025. With that in mind, Marks and Trackhouse want zero interference from outsiders.

Tatarevic further explained Trackhouse’s reasoning:

“Pit crew providers can pick and choose who they assign to their leased teams, so Trackhouse would be at the mercy of whatever rotations HMS put in place if the 88 was using an HMS crew. This way, Trackhouse can decide who pits for Zilisch.”

This isn’t just about pit stops—it’s about Trackhouse maintaining complete control over Zilisch’s path to Cup.


The Bigger Picture: A Growing Rivalry Between Trackhouse and HMS?

While this specific situation revolves around Zilisch, it might signal a larger power shift within NASCAR.

  • Trackhouse Racing has rapidly become a major player, going from a startup team to a legitimate contender in just a few years.
  • Hendrick Motorsports remains the gold standard in stock car racing, and their reach across NASCAR is almost unparalleled.
  • With Trackhouse actively blocking Hendrick’s access to Zilisch, is this the start of a new rivalry between the old guard and the rising powerhouse?

By shutting out HMS from Zilisch’s development, Trackhouse is sending a clear message—this is our driver, our future, and we’re not letting the Hendrick machine dictate the terms.

But will this bold stance backfire?


Final Thoughts: Is Trackhouse Protecting Zilisch, or Overreacting?

With Connor Zilisch’s full-time Xfinity campaign set to begin, all eyes will be on how this team control dynamic plays out.

  • Will Trackhouse’s decision to run their own pit crew give Zilisch a better shot at success?
  • Or will the lack of JRM’s usual HMS support create unexpected hurdles?
  • And most importantly—will Trackhouse be able to hold onto their young prodigy when the inevitable Cup offers come knocking?

One thing is for sure—Trackhouse isn’t leaving anything to chance. In a sport where alliances and politics shape careers, Justin Marks is taking an aggressive stance to protect his rising star.

The question now is—will it pay off?

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