Chassis Fabricator

Connor Zilisch has signed a multiyear contract with Hendrick Motorsports to drive the No. 48 Chevrolet starting in 2028. The 20-year-old rookie, currently racing for Trackhouse Racing, will replace Alex Bowman, who announced last month he will step away from full-time racing after the 2027 season. Zilisch currently ranks 34th in the Cup Series standings, with a series-leading eight DNFs. Team owner Rick Hendrick praised Zilisch's talent and character, calling him "a truly gifted young racer." Ally will continue as primary sponsor of the No. 48 Chevy, a role it has held since 2019. Zilisch said joining Hendrick Motorsports represents "one of those moments you dream about as a kid.

Connor Zilisch Lands Hendrick Motorsports No. 48 Chevrolet Ride Beginning in 2028 Reading Time: 3 mins read One of NASCAR's brightest young stars already knows where the next chapter of his rapidly accelerating career will take him. Hendrick Motorsports announced Monday that Connor Zilisch has signed a multi-year agreement with the organization and will take over the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet beginning with the 2028 NASCAR Cup Series season. Zilisch will succeed Alex Bowman, whose previously announced retirement from full-time competition following the 2027 season will open one of NASCAR's most recognizable seats. The agreement represents another significant milestone in the rapid ascent of Zilisch, a 20-year-old Charlotte, North Carolina native who has emerged as one of the sport's premier young talents. "Connor is a truly gifted young racer," Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick said. "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." That legacy is considerable. Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson made the No. 48 synonymous with Hendrick Motorsports success, collecting 83 victories during his Hall of Fame career. Bowman took over the entry beginning with the 2021 season and will remain behind the wheel through 2027. When Zilisch takes over in 2028, he will become just the third full-time driver of the No. 48 during its modern Hendrick Motorsports tenure. "This is one of those moments you dream about as a kid," Zilisch said. "Hendrick Motorsports has always represented the standard in its 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." Zilisch's road to Hendrick Motorsports has been remarkably quick. After beginning his career in karting, Zilisch transitioned to sports cars and showcased his versatility with class victories in both the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA and the 12 Hours of Sebring in 2024. Later that year, less than two months after turning 18, Zilisch made an immediate impact in his NASCAR O'Reilly Series debut at Watkins Glen International, leading 45 of 90 laps en route to victory. Driving for Hendrick Motorsports affiliate JR Motorsports in 2025, Zilisch followed with a dominant 10-win campaign that included eight poles, 18 consecutive top-five finishes and the regular season championship. Through 45 series starts, he has earned 13 victories and 10 poles. Zilisch made three NASCAR Cup Series starts for Trackhouse Racing in 2025 before beginning his first full-time campaign with the organization this season. He will remain with Trackhouse next year before transitioning to Hendrick Motorsports in 2028. His arrival will also coincide with Ally Financial's 10th season as the full-season primary partner of the No. 48 team. "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, Ally's chief marketing and public relations officer. While there remains plenty of racing before Zilisch officially arrives at Hendrick Motorsports, Monday's announcement gives the organization a definitive succession plan for one of its cornerstone teams. And for Zilisch, a career that has moved rapidly since his arrival on NASCAR's national stage now has its biggest destination yet: the keys to the No. 48.

Bowman's final lap: Hendrick veteran to retire after 2027 season. Early Sunday afternoon, Hendrick Motorsports made an announcement everyone suspected was coming: Alex Bowman will retire from full-time Cup Series competition at the end of the 2027 season. The news didn't come as a surprise, but the timing and the implications immediately reshaped the conversation inside the garage. Bowman's departure closes a decade-long run in the No. 48, a period defined by steadiness, adaptability, and the kind of quiet execution that often mattered more than the headlines around him. Bowman's retirement arrives at a moment when NASCAR is already bracing for another competitive shift. With the Chase format back in play and the field tightening earlier each season, losing a driver who built his reputation on controlling variables adds another layer to the sport's evolving landscape. The No. 48 team, which Bowman helped stabilize through the transition from Jimmie Johnson's era into the Next Gen platform, now faces a future without the driver who routinely turned mid-pack cars into top-10 finishes. The numbers behind Bowman's tenure tell a clearer story than the noise around him. Since taking over the No. 48 full-time in 2021, Bowman has delivered multiple playoff appearances, wins on tracks ranging from short ovals to intermediates, and a reputation for minimizing mistakes. In 2021, his stretch reached four victories built on execution rather than raw pace, but it was a prime example of how Bowman operated on the track. He didn't overwhelm the field. Instead, he outlasted it. Over his tenure with Hendrick Motorsports, Alex Bowman has posted an average top-10 finish every 4.8 starts and completed 96% of laps attempted, a metric that places him among the most competitive drivers on the track over the last decade. The timing of the announcement of Bowman's retirement adds significant weight. The 2027 season will bring yet another round of changes via refined aerodynamics, procedural adjustments, and an emphasis on uniform practice formats like the extended Cup Series practice format that will roll out at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on August 23. Bowman has long been one of the drivers who thrives when the sport leans toward structure. His ability to manage long-run balance, protect equipment, and extract speed from imperfect days has been one of Hendrick's most reliable assets. Removing that from the equation changes how the organization approaches the next phase. Inside the garage, the reaction reflected what Bowman represented. Some teams saw the move coming, noting the physical toll of the last few seasons and the increasing demands of the Next Gen era. Others were caught off guard, especially those who saw him as one of the few on the track capable of adjusting to NASCAR's ever-changing procedural shifts without getting caught in the crossfire. The announcement not only signaled a retirement, but it also paints a clear picture of a gap that will be difficult to fill. The No. 48 seat has historically carried weight: Johnson's legacy, Bowman's tenure, and the expectation that the car remains a fixture inside the playoff picture. Whoever inherits it will step into a role that demands both performance and composure, especially as the sport continues to emphasize consistency over volatility. Bowman's ability to navigate that pressure without losing identity is part of what made his run significant. Bowman's departure also reshapes the broader competitive landscape. The Cup Series is entering another stretch where consistency becomes the dividing line between teams who can manage change and teams who get swallowed by it. Bowman has always belonged to the first group. He weathered injuries, format shifts, team transitions, and the evolving balance of the Next Gen era. He adapted when the sport demanded it, reset when circumstances required it, and delivered when the moment called for it. With the 2027 season 7 months and 10 days away, Bowman's final lap won't be framed by nostalgia alone. It will be framed by the reality that NASCAR is once again reshaping how teams prepare, how drivers manage pressure, and how organizations build toward the Chase. Bowman isn't just stepping away. He's leaving a space that will take time to fill and a standard that won't be easily replaced. Posted by sarah. Sarah Talker is a sharp, steady reporting presence in NASCAR, known for clear communication, strong instincts, and a grounded approach to covering the garage. She has reported live from major events, including the Würth 400, and has interviewed drivers such as Todd Gilliland, Kyle Larson, Carson Hocevar, and Chris Buescher. Talker holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and a Master's Degree in Project Management and Information Technology. Her experience, preparation, and direct style shape NASCAR storytelling with clarity and professionalism. (Note: Articles may not be original content. Reference byline for original source.)