The Trackhouse Racing teammates, Shane van Gisbergen and Connor Zilisch, will go head-to-head in the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at the Chicago Street Course in July. Both drivers will be representing JR Motorsports that weekend, carrying the same sponsors but showcasing inverse paint schemes.
Although SVG and Zilisch are both Red Bull athletes, this marks the first appearance of Red Bull on a JRM car. Zilisch is a full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series competitor, while Van Gisbergen is in his rookie season as a NASCAR Cup driver, having recently clinched victory in the inaugural Cup race in Mexico City.
Chicago will be the New Zealander’s first Xfinity start of the year, and he comes as a defending champion after his win with Kaulig Racing from pole in 2024. Van Gisbergen is set to drive the No. 88 JRM Chevrolet at Chicago, Sonoma, and Watkins Glen.
In contrast, Zilisch, who has participated in a few Cup races this year under the Red Bull banner, secured his first oval race victory as a Xfinity driver at Pocono. Dale Earnhardt Jr., JRM team co-owner, served as the temporary crew chief during the race.
Although SVG and Zilisch have only faced off in the Xfinity Series four times during the 2024 season – with Zilisch winning his debut at Watkins Glen and Van Gisbergen finishing fifth – this upcoming race at Chicago marks their first official entry as true teammates in the NXS, besides their shared competition in the Cup Series driving for Trackhouse.
