From the Editor’s Desk, Seriously Fast Motorsports
(DATELINE: DETROIT, MI — Nov. 8, 2025)
If you thought Connor Zilisch was being left out in the cold by General Motors, think again.
After a week of hand-wringing over international licensing points and missed opportunities, Cadillac Racing made it official: 19-year-old phenom Connor Zilisch will join the defending IMSA champions at Action Express Racing, piloting the No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series R in the 2026 Rolex 24 at Daytona.
For those of us watching the kid’s whirlwind career, this is the news that makes sense.
It’s also a hell of a consolation prize.
Let’s not mince words: Zilisch just got the raw end of the deal over in the WEC. After a dominant 10-win rookie season in Xfinity—a season that still didn’t get him the championship, thanks to NASCAR’s playoff format—the kid was snubbed. He was denied the chance to test the Cadillac Hypercar at the WEC rookie test in Bahrain. Why? Because without that championship trophy, he was literally a few points short on his FIA license.
It was a bitter pill to swallow. A dose of harsh international bureaucracy that cost him a prime opportunity.
But horsepower politics in Europe doesn’t run the show at Daytona. Cadillac and Action Express know exactly who they have in Zilisch. This isn’t some NASCAR crossover stunt; this is putting one of the best road racers in the country into their works car. Let’s remember, Zilisch isn’t a stock car guy giving sports cars a whirl. He’s a sports car guy who happens to dominate in stock cars. He’s already got a Rolex watch from his 2024 LMP2 class win and a Sebring trophy to match.
This move by Cadillac is a vote of confidence. It says, “We don’t care about the WEC’s paperwork. We care about winning the big one in our own backyard.”
And just to throw some more high-octane fuel on the fire, the grid is getting even tougher.
In separate news that should put a smile on every IMSA fan’s face, AJ Allmendinger has confirmed he’s back for the 2026 classic. “The Dinger” can’t stay away from Daytona in January. He’s not just showing up for a GTD drive; he’s rejoining his old boss, Mike Shank, and will co-drive the No. 60 Meyer Shank Racing Acura ARX-06.
That’s right. Zilisch in the Caddy, Allmendinger in the Acura.
We’re going to have two of NASCAR’s absolute best road course talents battling head-to-head in the top GTP class. Allmendinger, the 2012 overall winner, versus the kid who’s won in everything he’s ever driven.
The 2026 Rolex just went from a “must-watch” to an absolute can’t-miss event. Zilisch has a score to settle, and Allmendinger is coming back to prove he’s still the king of the ‘roval.’ Get the popcorn ready, this is going to be a blast!
Image Credit: Patrick Vallely