Story By: MONTY BAILEY / RACKLEY W.A.R. – CENTERVILLE, TN – Rackley W.A.R. and Connor Zilisch will team up for several Pro Late Model races in 2023 announced today by team co-owner, Willie Allen.
Zilisch, 16, has developed a tremendous track record finding success not only in late model racing, but also in Mazda MX-5 Cup and Trans Am.
He won the Mazda MX-5 scholarship in late 2021 and in the 2022 season, finished second in championship points only 10-points behind the series winner. He was awarded Rookie of the Year. Zilisch competed in all but one race in the Trans Am Series’ TA2 Class and finished with a strong 2nd place at COTA in the last race of the year. He was the fastest “young gun” (under 25 years old) in 4 of the 10 races.
Connor ran a single event in the Carolina Pro Late Model series in 2022. In his first Pro Late Model start at Orange County Speedway in June, he won the pole and the feature. He repeated wins in Late Model Stocks at Hickory Speedway (twice) and recorded two 2nd place finishes at Tri-County Speedway.
Zilisch of Mooresville, North Carolina will expand his Pro Late Model resume this year with a schedule of races currently being finalized with Rackley W.A.R. He will carry the Chevrolet Junior Driver’s Program banner under the supervision of Lorin Ranier. Ranier along with motorsports veteran Josh Wise head-up the driver initiative for Chevy.
“Connor is one of the most naturally talented young drivers I have ever seen, and I’ve been fortunate enough to have worked with some of the best in NASCAR and its feeder series’,” said Ranier.
Allen mirrored Ranier’s sentiments regarding Zilisch by saying he not only has established a solid young career, but that he has all the poise to be a dominating force in late model racing and beyond.
“Connor is a tremendous driver athlete. We are really pumped to have him in our equipment this year as we grow and expand his racing program with Chevrolet. He brings a huge amount of talent to our stables and our entire team is looking forward to putting the best equipment possible under him. A huge thanks to Chevrolet for this opportunity to work with Connor, who is one of their top driver prospects.”
Allen said Zilisch’s schedule, which is expected to be predominately Pro Late Model, will be announced very soon.
