Hendrick Motorsports has locked in the driver who will take over the No. 48 Chevrolet after Alex Bowman retires. The team has signed Connor Zilisch.
Videos by FanBuzz
The North Carolina native will return to Trackhouse Racing for the 2027 season as he attempts to achieve consistency at NASCAR's highest level.
Once the checkered flag waves on the championship race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, he will prepare to take over the fourth car at GM's flagship franchise.
Ally will remain the full-season primary sponsor of the No. 48 Chevrolet, maintaining a role at Hendrick Motorsports it has held since 2019 when it first joined Jimmie Johnson.
We've got your number, @ConnorZilisch.
The future arrives in 2028. pic.twitter.com/bCCudBjmLm
— Hendrick Motorsports (@TeamHendrick) August 17, 2026
"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."
Zilisch will drive the No. 48 Chevrolet after signing a multi-year deal with Hendrick Motorsports, and he will become a teammate to Chase Elliott, William Byron, and Kyle Larson.
Bowman previously announced that he will compete in one final season, 2027, before ending his full-time Cup Series career. He will retire and move on to other pursuits while Hendrick Motorsports will move forward with an updated driver lineup.
The Athletic reported back in July that Hendrick Motorsports had locked in on the rookie driver and had engaged in talks with Trackhouse Racing, Zilisch's current team, to gauge availability.
Bowman retirement date actually lined up with the final season on Zilisch's contract with Trackhouse Racing, creating a natural timeline for an upcoming change.
While the 20-year-old has struggled in his rookie NASCAR season, many believe that Zilisch is one of the top prospects in the sport due to the combination of maturity and driving skill.
He is someone who won 10 O'Reilly Auto Part Series races during his rookie season in the secondary series, and he won the Rolex 24 in his first start. He has celebrated many highs and battled through countless lows, the latter of which is crucial for maintaining sanity in stock car racing.
"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."
