NASCAR prospect Connor Zilisch has made it clear that he wants to compete at Indianapolis 500, a major ‘bucket list’ goal of his career. His current focus is to achieve success in the NASCAR Cup Series rookie season, but the ultimate goal is to make an Indy 500 start in the near future.

The 19-year-old Zilisch, who is widely regarded as one of the most promising young talents in American motorsports, recently expressed his desire to make an Indy 500 appearance. With his full-time NASCAR Cup commitments taking priority, he explained that his crossover ambitions would depend heavily on how established he becomes at NASCAR’s top-tier series.

Speaking to media ahead of his GTP debut with Action Express Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R at Rolex 24 at Daytona, Connor Zilisch admitted that a debut at Indianapolis is not imminent, he emphasized that the iconic open-wheel event is firmly on his long-term bucket list.

Here’s what Zilisch said:

“I feel like it’s pretty realistic to think that it could be a possibility, but a lot of it depends on how my first few years in Cup go. You know, if I do well and I feel like I’m in a spot where, you know, I can go and travel and do some things away from the NASCAR scene, then it could definitely be in play. But, yeah, it’s definitely on my bucket list. It’s something I want to do.”

At the age of 19, Connor Zilisch has achieved success across multiple car types and racing disciplines, from karts to sports cars (IMSA) to stock cars (NASCAR O’Reilly/Trucks/ARCA), showing adaptability by winning in various formats like road courses, ovals, and endurance races. He is next big thing in motorsports.

Connor Zilisch shared his views on the new NASCAR championship format

Connor Zilisch has shared his thoughts about NASCAR’s return to its tradition, “The Chase” championship format, for 2026 and beyond, featuring the 10-race postseason format. He is happy with NASCAR’s decision to go back to its old but new format.

Zilisch, who lost the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series despite dominating the season, hopes that this format restores the legitimacy to the process of crowning a champion.

“I definitely think all drivers are pretty excited about this—just the legitimacy of crowning a champion. I certainly think that, in the long run, this is for sure a better way to go. I think it’s good for everybody. I think a lot of people are excited. The fans are excited, and it’s certainly going to help put us back in a spot where the champions that we crown are 100%.” Zilisch said (via new-journalonline.com)

Catch Conno Zilisch in his rookie NASCAR Cup season, staring with Bowman Gray Stadium on February 1.