Connor Zilisch Gets His Cup Series Crew Chief: Meet the Man Behind the Headset

Connor Zilisch’s meteoric rise through NASCAR’s ranks has been nothing short of breathtaking. The kid who was tearing up late model tracks just a couple of years ago is now gearing up for his first full Cup Series season with Trackhouse Racing. However, here’s the thing about Cup Series racing: talent alone won’t suffice. You need the right crew chief calling the shots from atop the pit box.

Trackhouse Racing just made their pick official, and it’s a move that has folks in the garage talking. They’ve snagged Randall Burnett away from Richard Childress Racing, where he’s been working with Kyle Busch on the No. 8 Chevrolet. For a teenager stepping into NASCAR’s premier series, having an experienced crew chief like Burnett could make all the difference between sinking or swimming.

Why Randall Burnett Makes Sense as Zilisch’s Crew Chief

Let’s talk about Randall Burnett. This guy didn’t just stumble into becoming a crew chief. He’s got the engineering chops that matter when you’re trying to find those precious tenths of a second that separate winners from also-rans. Burnett cut his teeth at Chip Ganassi Racing for about a decade, working his way up through the engineering ranks.

He wasn’t just pushing papers, either.  This man was deeply involved in the data acquisition game, working as a lead race engineer and analyzing setups on the 7-post rig. That technical foundation isn’t just impressive on paper; it’s the kind of background that helps when you’re trying to get a young driver comfortable with Cup Series cars.

The turning point in Burnett’s career came when he guided Tyler Reddick to the 2019 Xfinity Series championship. Six wins that season, and more importantly, they showed up when it mattered most in the playoffs. When Reddick moved up to the Cup Series, Burnett went with him, and together they built something special at Richard Childress Racing. Two straight playoff appearances in 2021 and 2022 proved this crew chief could handle the big leagues.

The Kyle Busch Years: Learning Through Adversity

Since 2023, Burnett has been calling the shots for Kyle Busch at RCR. The numbers tell part of the story – three wins, 15 top-fives, and 27 top-tens across 72 races together. However, anyone who has been watching knows it has been a rollercoaster ride. The truth is, the last couple of seasons have tested Burnett in ways that championship runs rarely do.

Extended winless streaks, setup struggles on short tracks, and the kind of inconsistent results that keep crew chiefs up at night analyzing data until the early morning hours. Some might see this as a negative, but I see it differently. Burnett has been through the fire with a demanding veteran driver, and he’s learned lessons that textbooks can’t teach.

Those tough times at RCR might actually be exactly what Connor Zilisch needs. Burnett knows what it’s like when nothing seems to work, when the car won’t turn, when strategy calls don’t pan out. That experience, that ability to stay calm when everything’s going sideways, could be invaluable for a rookie driver who’s bound to face his share of adversity.

What This Crew Chief Brings to Connor Zilisch’s Cup Debut

Connor Zilisch’s response to the news says everything you need to know about his maturity. “Stoked to welcome Randall to the team! Can’t wait for next year,” he posted on social media. No ego, no demands about wanting this crew chief or that one, just genuine excitement about working with an experienced hand.

And that’s smart, because Zilisch is going to need every bit of Burnett’s engineering background when he starts dealing with Cup Series setups. The jump from Xfinity to Cup isn’t just about horsepower, but about understanding how these 3,400-pound missiles behave in traffic, how to manage tires over 400 or 500 miles, and how to communicate what the car needs when everything’s happening at 180 mph.

Burnett’s championship pedigree with Tyler Reddick shows he knows how to develop young talent. He understands that building speed is a process, not something that happens overnight. With Zilisch’s natural ability behind the wheel and Burnett’s technical expertise calling the shots, this pairing has the potential to surprise some people right out of the gate.

The Technical Mind Behind the Success

What sets Burnett apart from other crew chiefs is his engineering foundation. That Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from UNC Charlotte isn’t just a degree; it represents years of understanding how these cars actually work at a fundamental level. When Zilisch radios in with feedback about tight conditions or loose handling, Burnett will know exactly which adjustments to make and why.

The fact that Burnett lives in Huntersville, North Carolina, with his wife, Deanna, and their sons, Waylon and Tatum, tells you something about his priorities, too. This isn’t a guy chasing the spotlight;  he’s a family man who happens to be really good at his job. That stability and focus will serve Zilisch well as he navigates his rookie season.

Building Something Special at Trackhouse Racing

Trackhouse Racing has already proven it can field competitive cars. Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen have demonstrated what’s possible when you provide talented drivers with the right equipment and support. Now they’re betting that Zilisch and Burnett can continue that tradition with their third Cup Series entry.

The pressure will be there, and it’s always when you’re the new kid trying to prove you belong. But with Burnett as his crew chief, Zilisch won’t be going through that learning curve alone. He’ll have someone who’s been there before, someone who understands both the technical and mental sides of what it takes to succeed at NASCAR’s highest level.

Final Thoughts

This partnership represents more than just a crew chief and driver pairing. Trackhouse Racing states that they’re serious about developing young talent and building for the future. With Burnett’s experience and Zilisch’s raw speed, 2026 could be the beginning of something special in NASCAR.