Zilisch to drive No. 48 for Hendrick in 2028

14 sourcesUpdated Aug 17, 2026

Hendrick Motorsports announced Connor Zilisch, 20, will drive the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet starting in 2028, replacing Alex Bowman who plans to retire after 2027. The deal is described as multi-year, with Zilisch currently under contract with Trackhouse Racing through 2027 and set to drive the No. 88 in the interim. HMS lauds Zilisch for his talent and character, expressing confidence he can build on the No. 48's legacy while Ally remains a full-season sponsor. Zilisch’s résumé includes 13 wins in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series and a standout 2025 season with 10 wins. His Cup debut season has included a learning curve, with one top-10 finish and multiple DNFs in 2026. The move positions a generational prospect in a championship-winning organization, continuing HMS’s history of pairing young talent with its flagship No. 48 program.

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HeavyLean LeftNASCAR: Connor Zilisch Joining Hendrick Motorsports in 2028

The TennesseanCenterConnor Zilisch will join Hendrick Motorsports, No. 48 car for 2028 NASCAR Cup season

theracingexperts.comOtherConnor Zilisch to replace Alex Bowman at Hendrick Motorsports beginning in 2028 - The Racing Experts

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