At just 16 years of age, it’s incredible to realize that not only has Central Carolinas Region member Connor Zilisch been a member of the Sports Car Club of America® for eight years, but in that time, he finished on the National Championship Runoffs® podium in his first attempt and now has a pair of SCCA Pro Racing-sanctioned Trans Am Series TA2 wins to his name – the most recent coming during the June 3-4, 2023, weekend in Detroit, where Zilisch ran from last on the grid to first, laying claim to a dramatic victory.
The year was 2021 and the place was Indianapolis Motor Speedway, when a then-15-year-old Runoffs rookie headed on track in Spec Miata with the hopes of finishing in the top 10 in a field so large that not everyone in the 72-car field qualified for the main race. Zilisch qualified third, and in the race found himself in a rowdy five-car battle for the final step on the podium – which he earned.
Aiding in that battle – during his first year in cars – was the fact that he’d been karting since age 4 and was the first American to win the FIA Karting Academy Championship. Now, he’s taking on Trans Am TA2 competition with SCCA Spec Miata knowledge, and the payoff so far has come in the form of multiple SCCA Pro Racing wins – the second of which came during the second of two TA2 races during the 3-Dimensional Services Group Motor City Showdown at the Detroit Grand Prix on June 4, 2023.
The action-packed Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli Big Machine Vodka SPIKED Coolers TA2 race was decided in the final turns, with Zilisch charging hard on race leader Thomas Annunziata. Annunziata crossed the stripe mere feet ahead of Zilisch, but Zilisch was presented with the win due to a 25-second penalty Annunziata was served due to avoidable contact earlier in the race.
The win topped a rollercoaster of a weekend where damage during Saturday’s race left Zilisch out of contention on June 3, and starting from the back of the field on Sunday. Meanwhile, Zilisch sat atop the fastest race lap leaderboard during both Race 1 and Race 2.
“This definitely feels good, I’m super proud of my entire Silver Hare Racing team,” Zilisch said after the race. “They’ve worked so hard to put me in this position and give me this opportunity. Maurice and Laura Hull have done so much for me as a driver and a person, working hard to give me these fast cars. We finally got ourselves on the podium at the Chevrolet Grand Prix in my Chevrolet. It’s just special to bring these guys the result that they deserve. They were here for hours last night fixing the car after the damage we had [during Race 1]. To come from the back and have the fastest car again and get ourselves up on the podium here means a lot. I’m just thankful for everyone who puts a hand on this car and does the work to keep me fast and keep me up front. I’m excited for the rest of the year knowing the piece that we’ve got.”
The entire TA2 race can be viewed on-demand for free below or on Trans Am’s YouTube channel.
Photo courtesy Trans Am Series
