NASCAR rookie Connor Zilisch has signed a multiyear contract to drive the No. 48 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, beginning with the 2028 season. Zilisch, who currently competes for Trackhouse Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series, will take over the seat from Alex Bowman. Bowman, a member of the Hendrick organization since 2016, has confirmed he is retiring from full-time competitive racing after the 2027 season.
Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick praised the signing, stating, “Connor is a truly gifted young racer. His talent behind the wheel is exceptional, but I’m even more impressed by the person he is. When someone with that kind of ability and character becomes available, you do everything you can to bring them into your organization.”
The 20-year-old Zilisch currently sits 34th in the Cup Series standings, holding one top-10 finish and eight DNFs, the highest count among all drivers this season. Despite these struggles, he demonstrated significant potential during his 2025 campaign in the second-tier O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. In that season, he finished second in the standings, securing 10 wins, 20 top-five finishes, and 23 top-10 results across 32 races.
Reflecting on the move, Zilisch expressed his excitement: “This is one of those moments you dream about as a kid. Hendrick Motorsports has always represented the standard in our sport and being entrusted to help continue that legacy means everything to me.”
