Connor Zilisch’s terrible, horrible, no good, very bad rookie year in the NASCAR Cup Series just got a lot better.
Hendrick Motorsports announced on Monday that it has signed the Trackhouse Racing driver to succeed Alex Bowman in the No. 48 car in 2028, following his planned retirement from full-time driving.
“Connor is a truly gifted young racer,” Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick said in a news release. “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.”
The 20-year-old Zilisch was one of several young drivers rumored to be up for the coveted seat on NASCAR’s most successful team, along with Corey Day and Carson Hocevar.
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“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.”
Zilisch dominated the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2025 with 10 wins but currently sits 34th in the Cup Series standings with one top 10 finish and eight DNFs, which is a record in the seventh generation car era.
“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 Racing owner Justin Marks said in a comment about the move. “While our goal was always to have him in our cars for the long term, I’m still excited for the opportunity we have with him now and in 2027.”
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