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JR Motorsports drops hint for 2025 driver announcement

Brian Jones Profile Picby:Brian Jones•08/06/24•

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Dale Earnhardt Jr
Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

JR Motorsports just dropped a hint about a new driver joining the team for the 2025 season. On Tuesday, the official X account of JR Motorsports shared a video of someone walking into headquarters and signing what could be a contract. The caption in the post says, “The first chapter of 2025 starts tomorrow on the Dale Jr. Download.“

It’s been rumored that Connor Zilisch will be elevated to compete in the Xfinity Series for JR Motorsports and Trackhouse. In March, it was announced that the 18-year-old driver will compete in a four-race slate with JR Motorsports in the Xfinity Series, driving the No. 88 car.

“It’s a dream come true to have the opportunity to race in the Xfinity Series with JR Motorsports for select races this year,” Zilisch said at the time, per TobyChristie.com. “I have a lot to learn considering that I’ve never raced on any big tracks previously, but there’s no better team to learn with than JRM. I can’t thank everyone at Chevrolet, Silver Hare Racing, and Trackhouse Racing for helping me get to this point, and continuing to support me into my future. I look forward to giving my all and making the most of this opportunity.”

More on Connor Zilisch and JR Motorsports

“We couldn’t be happier to welcome Connor into the JR Motorsports family and to give him an opportunity behind the wheel of our No. 88 Chevrolet,” JRM CEO Kelley Earnhardt Miller said. “Connor is an extremely talented young man and we can’t wait to see what he can do when he gets to the track with us at Watkins Glen.”

Zilisch is off to a strong start to his racing career. He has competed in four ARCA Menards Series races and has won three of them. Earlier this year, Zilisch competed in a Truck Series race for Spire Motorsports and finished fourth at the Circuit of Americas.

In an interview with Jeff Gluck of The Athletic in April, Zilisch talked about the best way to measure success in racing besides winning. “Being a likable person. In the garage, it’s such a small community,” he said. “Being friends with everyone is really important, and that can get you almost as far as maybe talent can. It’s being someone you know guys want to come up to and say, ‘Hey’ every time they see them and being well-liked. It’s like Rajah (Caruth) when he won at Vegas, everybody was so pumped for him. That’s the kind of guy I want to be; I want to be friends with everyone.”