Zilisch “Looking to Prove that I Belong” in GTP Ranks

Connor Zilisch is aiming to “prove that I belong” in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship’s GTP class as he joins Action Express Racing for his top-class prototype debut at the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

The 19-year-old, a fast-rising star in the world of NASCAR racing, will join Earl Bamber, Jack Aitken and Frederik Vesti aboard the Whelen Engineering-sposored No. 31 Cadillac V-Series.R for the Florida endurance classic.

It will mark Zilisch’s third Rolex 24 appearance, with his record already featuring an LMP2 class win on debut with Era Motorsport in 2024.

Last year, he joined Scott McLaughlin, Shane van Gisbergen and Ben Keating in Trackhouse by TF Sport’s GTD Pro effort, finishing ninth in class.

This year’s edition of the Rolex 24 will see Zilisch step up to top-level prototypes for the first time, having sampled the Cadillac LMDh platform during the IMSA-sanctioned test at Daytona in November.

“I’m super excited,” Zilisch told Sportscar365. “It’s such an iconic race for all of endurance racing across the world and so many great drivers and teams [come] here to run the Rolex 24.

“Obviously I’ve done it the last two years in LMP2 and GTD Pro, so this is my first time going for an overall win with Cadillac.

“It’s been a lot of fun getting to learn the car and meet the drivers, the entire crew. We’ve got a really good team around us and a lot of confidence going into this weekend.”

Zilisch said he is looking forward to taking on the challenge of racing the Cadillac, describing it was one of the more difficult cars he’s been tasked with racing.

“Every car I drive makes me better,” Zilisch said. “Especially things that challenge me and this car really challenges me.

“Not only the complications of how you know how much goes into the buttons and the controls but also just making speed out of the car.

“It’s one of the tougher cars I’ve ever had to drive. It’s heavier than the LMP2, more horsepower and just a little bit more challenging than every other sports car I’ve driven.

“I’m excited for the challenge. It’s going to be really cool over the next two weeks to continue to learn and figure it out.

“I’ve obviously only got one day in the car so far. So time is only going to help make me better and continue to progress.”

“I think just as the week goes on get faster and faster and hopefully pace wise be similar to my teammates.”

Out of the four drivers on the No. 31 car, Zilisch comes in with the last amount of endurance experience and has set the target of matching his co-drivers throughout the event.

“They’re all really good and I’ve already learned a lot from them,” he said.

“But if I can be similar pace to them and  just prove that I belong and that I can do this type of racing at a high level, I think I’d be happy with that.”