Connor Zilisch’s dad reveals the ‘best gift ever’ from Dale Jr.’s JRM after unforgettable NASCAR season

With Christmas just around the corner, NASCAR driver Connor Zilisch invited the entire JR Motorsports crew to his house. Most of them showed up, and everyone had a gala time. They even brought Zilisch an unexpected present that his dad, Jim, thought was the “best gift ever”.

The JR Motorsports team gifted a part of Zilisch’s No. 88 JRM Chevy. His dad shared a picture of the same and a few group photos on X, formerly Twitter.

“Some memories will stick with you for a lifetime. Our season with this @JRMotorsports team will never fade. Hard to put into words how special it was. Had most of the team over tonight for some post-season fun & they brough the best gift ever which is no surprise knowing them,” Jim captioned the post.

Zilisch just wrapped up his maiden Xfinity season with JR Motorsports, finishing second in points and bagging a series-high 10 wins. Next year, the young racing phenom will join Trackhouse Racing’s Cup Series campaign, replacing Daniel Suarez.

“I knew the whole world knew already, but still to be able to say it and have my name next to the word 'Cup Series' is really cool," Zilisch said in a statement. “So, I wasn't going to try and hide from it, but it's just a day that I've been dreaming of for a long time and I'm not going to let that kind of the idea that everybody already knows take away from the moment.”

Suarez, on the other hand, has been signed by Spire Motorsports to drive the No. 7 Chevy Camaro ZL1 in 2026 and beyond, with Freeway Insurance as primary sponsor. The season starts with the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on February 1, 2026.

---

Connor Zilisch’s Red Bull Chevy makes Lionel Racing’s “best-selling die-cast” list

Lionel Racing, the Official Die-Cast of NASCAR, has recently announced the top-10 best-selling die-casts of 2025. Connor Zilisch’s Red Bull Chevy made No. 8 on the list.

“These best-sellers reflect the incredible diversity of NASCAR fandom – from legendary names like Dale Earnhardt Jr. to rising stars like Connor Zilisch,” Lionel Racing CEO, Howard Hitchcock, said in a statement. “Each die-cast tells a story of triumph and tradition, and we’re proud to bring these moments to fans and collectors everywhere.”

Interestingly, the top three spots were also rounded off by JR Motorsports cars. Topping the list was former Xfinity Series champion Justin Allgaier’s Traveller Whiskey Chevrolet, followed by team owner Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Budweiser Speedway Classic Late Model Chevrolet, and another raced version of Allgaier’s Traveller Whiskey Chevy.

Connor Zilisch will be back for the 2026 Cup Series points season, kicking off on February 15 with the 58th Daytona 500. Fans can watch the crown jewel event live on FOX Sports starting at 2:30 pm ET, or listen to exclusive radio updates on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Get the latest NASCAR All-Star race news, Xfinity Series updates, breaking news, rumors, and today’s top stories with the latest news on NASCAR.

Edited by Tushhita Barua