Rising NASCAR Xfinity Series star Connor Zilisch will not compete in this weekend’s Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 at Texas Motor Speedway due to a lower back injury sustained during last weekend’s wild race at Talladega Superspeedway. In his place, JR Motorsports is turning to a familiar face—and a big one. 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson will pilot the No. 88 Chevrolet in Saturday’s race.
Zilisch, 18, has quickly become one of the most talked-about young drivers in the sport. As a Trackhouse Racing development driver and part of Chevrolet’s next-gen pipeline, he’s already made waves in his rookie Xfinity season. Most notably, Zilisch scored a dramatic victory in March at Circuit of The Americas, overcoming a mid-race penalty and late-race contact to claim the win in just his second series start.
However, the hard-hitting race at Talladega took its toll. Following medical evaluation, Zilisch and his team made the decision to sit out this weekend in favor of a full recovery.
“We’re disappointed Connor won’t be in the car this weekend, but his health comes first,” said JR Motorsports team owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. “He’s shown incredible talent this season, and we know he’ll bounce back strong.”
In the meantime, JR Motorsports is turning to one of NASCAR’s elite talents. Kyle Larson, who last competed full-time in the Xfinity Series in 2018, will make a one-off start in the No. 88 Chevrolet. Larson brings a wealth of experience and a winning pedigree to the team—and fans can expect a strong showing in Texas.
“Any time you get Kyle Larson in one of your cars, it’s a good thing,” Earnhardt Jr. added. “We’re excited to have him back behind the wheel and helping us stay competitive while Connor recovers.”
The Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 is set for Saturday, May 3, at Texas Motor Speedway, where Larson will look to make the most of this surprise start. As for Zilisch, the team has not announced an exact timetable for his return but expects him to be back in action soon.
This change of plans may be temporary, but it marks another intriguing chapter in a season already filled with twists, turns, and breakout performances. And while Zilisch recovers, fans get to watch a Cup champion take on the Xfinity field in a car built for winning.
