NASCAR Cup: Connor Zilisch to Hendrick in 2028

CONCORD, N.C. -- Connor Zilisch will join Hendrick Motorsports' NASCAR Cup Series team in 2028 and take over the No. 48 car.

Zilisch will succeed Alex Bowman in one of the series' most storied rides. Monday's announcement came a little under a month after Bowman announced his retirement from full-time racing at the end of 2027. 

“Connor is a truly gifted young racer,” said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. “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. We have tremendous confidence in Connor, and we believe he’s the right driver to build on the legacy of the No. 48 Ally team for many years to come.”

At the time of the announcement, Zilisch was projected to be the favorite to succeed him. While the 20-year-old driver has had an abysmal 2026 rookie season with Trackhouse Racing, he has shown promise on road courses and even some ovals. His success in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series also continues to make him a top prospect.

“This is one of those moments you dream about as a kid,” Zilisch said. “Hendrick Motorsports has always represented the standard in our sport, and being entrusted to help continue that legacy means everything to me. The chance to drive a Chevrolet for Mr. Hendrick, carry the colors of an incredible partner like Ally and compete alongside some of the best drivers and people in racing is what you work so hard for. I’m grateful for the confidence they’ve shown in me, and it’s my job to prove they made the right decision.”

Ally Financial will continue to be the full-season primary sponsor when Zilisch joins in 2028.

“We’ve spent nearly a decade investing in the No. 48’s storied legacy alongside Hendrick Motorsports, and handing the wheel to a driver of Connor’s caliber is such an incredible way to begin another historic chapter,” said Andrea Brimmer, chief marketing and public relations officer for Ally. “Connor is an unbelievable talent with the motivation to match, and he understands what it means to represent a brand and a fanbase that care deeply about this car. I’m thrilled to welcome him to the Ally Racing family and cannot wait to do great things together on and off the track.”

Zilisch received the nod over Corey Day, who Hendrick signed to a full-time NOAPS ride this year as a part of a driver development deal. There is no word on what Day's future will look like. However, it is likely he will return to the NOAPS ride in 2027.

With Zilisch out at Trackhouse Racing, the organization has a ride to fill in bittersweet fashion.

"It's a bittersweet moment for Trackhouse but I am truly happy for Connor to get an opportunity that many drivers only dream of," Trackhouse owner Justin Marks stated.

Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen appear to be steady signs for them but Zilisch's departure opens up some options. They could court a young prospect, possibly like Day, or try to land a veteran looking for a change. However, Trackhouse needs to improve to get back to where they were in 2022 when all of their cars made the postseason and were a championship threat.

When Zilisch leaves Trackhouse and takes over the No. 48 car in 2028, he will be just 21 years old and much younger than his teammates. William Byron will be 30, Chase Elliott will be 32 and Kyle Larson will be 35.

Meanwhile, Bowman will be just 34 years old when he retires at the end of the 2027 season. 

Although injuries and health issues have plagued the veteran in his 11 full-time seasons in the Cup Series, Bowman said he expected to make a move like this at about this point in his life after signing with Hendrick Motorsports in 2018, having success and consulting with financial advisors. 

Bowman opened the door to racing more after his retirement from full-time Cup racing. However, it's unknown what that will look like.

Bowman will race the No. 48 car for the remainder of the 2026 season and the entire 2027 season. At the end of his tenure, he will have spent 10 seasons at Hendrick Motorsports.