Connor Zilisch Secures Full-Time NASCAR Cup Drive For 2026

NASCAR driver Connor Zilisch, at 19, has secured a full-time Cup Series drive with Trackhouse Racing for 2026 after an impressive rookie year in the Xfinity Series, drawing comparisons to Formula 1 star Max Verstappen for his rapid rise. In Formula 1, Max Verstappen is facing a challenging 2025 season as Red Bull struggles to keep pace with dominant McLaren, whose superior tire management and medium-speed performance have been cited by Verstappen as key advantages. Despite only two wins this season and being 97 points behind McLaren's Oscar Piastri, Verstappen remains optimistic, with many fans and his team principal believing he can still win more races before the year ends. Red Bull, dealing with internal challenges and a lack of upgrades, is now focusing on damage limitation with an eye on recovery for 2026. Verstappen has acknowledged McLaren's strengths, particularly their ability to preserve tires in wet conditions and their exceptional car rotation, setting a benchmark Red Bull aims to match. Meanwhile, Red Bull must work to improve their performance to support Verstappen and maintain competitiveness in the coming seasons.