Connor Zilisch, a 17-year-old American teenager, made his debut in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship at the 24 Hours of Daytona. He became the second-youngest winner in the history of the race, driving for the Era Motorsport LMP2 team. Zilisch’s impressive performance has established him as a rising star in the LMP2 category. Prior to his debut, he expressed his thoughts, expectations, and reactions to the victory. Zilisch had the opportunity to test with Era Motorsport at the Daytona International Speedway Road Course before the race. He spoke about his excitement to jump straight into the endurance championship and the unexpected nature of the opportunity. Transitioning from the MX-5 Cup to an LMP2 car was a significant leap for him. In addition to his IMSA commitments, Zilisch is also involved in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and Truck Series with Trackhouse Racing. He praised the family-oriented atmosphere at Era Motorsport and the support he received from his teammates. Zilisch highlighted the importance of being surrounded by people who contribute to his growth as a new driver. He chose to compete in the LMP2 category to broaden his skillset and gain experience with a car that offers more downforce and grip than the NASCAR cars he usually races. Zilisch acknowledged that endurance racing requires patience and a different approach compared to sprint racing. He mentioned Watkins Glen as one of his favorite tracks and expressed confidence in his performance there. Zilisch’s debut race at the 24 Hours of Daytona was eventful, with his team facing challenges in qualifying and during the race start. However, he fought hard and found himself in thrilling battles with his competitors. Zilisch’s tire management strategy enabled him to defend his position and hand the car over to his teammate in the lead. Ultimately, Era Motorsport secured victory in the LMP2 class, and Zilisch stood on the podium as one of the youngest winners in the race’s history. He described the experience as surreal and a dream come true. Zilisch emphasized his passion for motorsports and his determination to make the most out of every opportunity.
According to the Source motorsportweek.com