NASCAR News: Kyle Larson to Fill in for Connor Zilisch in Texas Xfinity Race

In a surprise but high-impact driver swap, Kyle Larson will step in to pilot the No. 88 Chevrolet this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway, filling in for young standout Connor Zilisch in the NASCAR Xfinity Series race.

The announcement was confirmed via AutoRacing1, and it means that Larson—already one of the sport’s most versatile and dominant talents—will get another shot to extend his laps led lead in the Xfinity Series.

Larson, who has been balancing an intense NASCAR Cup Series schedule with other racing ventures like IndyCar and dirt racing, will be a major asset for the JR Motorsports entry this weekend. His ability to jump into any car and instantly compete at the front has become a trademark of his career.

Why the change? While the exact details behind Zilisch’s absence haven’t been disclosed publicly, it’s not uncommon for driver swaps to happen due to scheduling conflicts, team strategy, or development considerations. For Zilisch, who has been impressing fans with his raw talent and rapid growth, sitting out at Texas is undoubtedly a setback—but one that could pay dividends with Larson providing high-level feedback for the team.

Larson’s Xfinity resume is nothing short of impressive. Every time he steps into a car in this series, he’s a threat to win. His experience at Texas, combined with his elite skill set, will make the No. 88 car one to watch this Saturday.

Fans looking forward to seeing Connor Zilisch will have to wait for his next appearance, but in the meantime, the stage is set for yet another show from Kyle Larson—this time in a fill-in role that could have major implications for the race and the team’s momentum moving forward.

Stay tuned—Texas just got a whole lot more interesting.