The annual Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona draws far more than IMSA drivers; but race car drivers from all formats of racing. Over the years several drivers from the world of NASCAR have climbed behind the wheel to participate in the 24 hour endurance race.
NASCAR Cup Series rookie Connor Zilisch has joined the Action Express Racing group as he prepares to run his third Rolex 24 race – the first in the GTP class.
Zilisch will join teammates Earl Bamber, Jack Aitken and Frederik Vesti in the number 31 Cadillac Whelen Cadillac V-Series R.
The 2026 Rolex 24 Hours features cars in three different racing series with as many as 62 cars on the 3.56 mile road course at Daytona International Speedway at the same time. The 2026 Rolex 24 will be held January 24 and 25 with a 61 car field.
Zilisch spoke on the upcoming event saying, “I’m excited to be with Action Express Racing for the Rolex 24 at Daytona. The Rolex 24 is one of my favorite races, and I’m thrilled to be with one of the best teams in the IMSA paddock. I’m very thankful to everyone at GM and Cadillac Racing for their help in making this happen. This is such a cool opportunity. We had a solid test in November at Daytona. I really enjoyed working with all the guys on the Whelen team and can’t wait to get back there for the race.”
The 19 year old Connor Zilisch earned the Sunoco Rookie of the Year award in the Xfinity Series last year after winning 10 races and will be competing for the same award in the coming year as a rookie driver for Trackhouse Racing where he will be driving the number 88 Chevrolet; joining teammates Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen who will move from the 88 to the 97.
Zilisch was just 17 years old when he made his first attempt in the Rolex 24. Driving a Le Mans Prototype 2 class car and went on to win in the LMP2 class driving for Era Motorsport.
Zilisch added, “the first time I came to Daytona racing was in (Mazda) MX-5 Cup, and I’ve loved it ever since and just being able to race in the 24 hours is something that I dreamed of as a kid, and that’s why I always come back and keep doing it. And, you know, it’s my third time doing it and my third different car that I’ve done it in. I’m just excited for the opportunity to even be here today and get this chance to test the car. It’s been such a dream of mine to get to drive in the highest class of IMSA, and doing that today has been really cool.”
Part time NASCAR driver AJ Allmendinger is joining up with IndyCar driver Scott Dixon, tom Blomqvist, and Colin Braun to also make a run for the watch trophy in the Rolex 24 Hours.