Young phenom Connor Zilisch clinches prestigious NMPA honor, narrowly beating racing titans after a dominant season, and now eyes NASCAR Cup Series glory
NASCAR driver Connor Zilisch, who won 10 races in last year’s Xfinity Series and posted 18 consecutive top-five finishes, edged NTT IndyCar champion Alex Palou and NASCAR Cup driver Denny Hamlin for 2025 NMPA Driver of the Year honors.
In an intense balloting session, Zilisch edged Palou by one vote and Hamlin by two. Other drivers in contention for the honor were Kubota High Limit Racing champion Rico Abreau, NHRA Top Fuel competitor Brittany Force, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion Corey Heim, Formula One champion Lando Norris, and NHRA Funny Car champion Austin Prock.
The 19-year-old Zilisch’s selection marked the second consecutive year a JR Motorsports driver has won the coveted trophy. Justin Allgaier became the first Xfinity Series (now O’Reilly Auto Parts Series) driver to win the NMPA Richard Petty Driver of the Year Award, claiming it in 2024 after securing the series championship that season. In 2026, Zilisch moves into NASCAR’s Cup Series with Trackhouse Racing.
Zilisch will receive the prestigious award Saturday during the NMPA’s annual awards luncheon. His name will be engraved on the permanent Richard Petty Driver of the Year trophy displayed in the NMPA Hall of Fame at Darlington Raceway.
— NMPA —