
Not even a lap into the Roar Before the 24 test sessions at Daytona, 18-year-old NASCAR up-and-comer Connor Zilisch discovered exactly what it means to share a car with two New Zealand champions and a wily sports car veteran. While Zilisch was learning the ropes on the track, his teammates—NASCAR star Shane van Gisbergen, IndyCar’s Scott McLaughlin, and American sports car ace Ben Keating—were busy hijacking his phone. Their mission? Spamming his social media with candid selfies.
“They definitely mess with me, but I enjoy it,” Zilisch laughed. “It’s been so cool to get to know Shane, Scott, and Ben. Ben’s got so much expertise—and a great sense of humor, too. It’s a great group, and hopefully, that translates to success on track.”
This squad isn’t just about fun, though. They’re fast—lightning fast. Their weapon of choice is the GTD Pro class No. 91 Trackhouse by TF Sport Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R, a ride fielded by NASCAR Trackhouse Racing owner Justin Marks. For Zilisch, the rookie with a trophy-laden résumé, teaming up with van Gisbergen, McLaughlin, and Keating is a career-altering opportunity.
“This last year has been wild,” Zilisch admitted. “To go from racing Xfinity and winning my first start to being here with these guys is unreal. I’m just soaking it all in and trying to learn as much as I can.”
Van Gisbergen, the reigning V8 Supercars maestro who stunned NASCAR fans with a win in his Cup debut at the 2023 Chicago Street Race, is clearly enjoying his sixth Rolex 24. “This is the best endurance race in the world,” SVG declared, brushing aside legendary events like Le Mans and Spa. “The atmosphere here is just different. Everyone’s battling the whole time—it’s pure racing.”
Interestingly, this marks the first time SVG and McLaughlin, a seven-time IndyCar winner, have teamed up in the same car. Both drivers have embraced the blend of experience and youth, praising Zilisch’s talent and Keating’s wisdom.
“Connor is an awesome young kid,” van Gisbergen said. “He’s fast, curious, and asking all the right questions. It’s exciting to see how he grows from here.”
For Keating, the elder statesman of the group, the mix of personalities and driving styles is what makes this team special. “It’s cool to see the diversity in how we talk about the car,” he said. “But we always come to the same conclusion. That’s rare in endurance racing.”
With Zilisch setting blistering laps during testing and the team gelling like they’ve known each other for years, expectations are high for Sunday’s Rolex 24. But as van Gisbergen put it best, “When you’re having fun, you do well. And we’re definitely having fun.”
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