NASCAR rookie Connor Zilisch has signed a multiyear agreement to drive the No. 48 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, beginning with the 2028 season. Zilisch, currently racing for Trackhouse Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series, will replace Alex Bowman. Bowman, who first joined Hendrick in 2016, has confirmed he is retiring from full-time competitive racing after the 2027 season.
Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick praised the acquisition, 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 with one top-10 finish and eight DNFs, the most of any racer this season. However, he demonstrated significant potential during his first full season in the second-tier O’Reilly Auto Parts Series last year. He finished second in the standings, securing 10 wins, 20 top-five finishes, and 23 top-10 finishes across 32 races.
Reflecting on the career milestone, Zilisch said, “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.”
