Hendrick Motorsports’ two top candidates for No. – Sports News
Hendrick Motorsports has a main driver emptiness (Image: Getty)
Alex Bowman’s choice to retire following the 2027 NASCAR Cup Series season provides Hendrick Motorsports its first driver emptiness since changing seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson in 2020. While the seat is among the many most coveted in stock car racing, the group seems to have already got a clear succession plan in thoughts.
Multiple experiences point out Connor Zilisch, who has seen a nightmare first season within the Cup Series, has emerged as Hendrick’s overwhelming favourite to take over the No. 48 Chevrolet in 2028, with discussions already going down regardless of the 20-year-old motorsports star remaining below contract with Trackhouse Racing by means of 2027.
However, NASCAR‘s driver market can change quickly, and a number of other different names might change into real looking choices if circumstances shift over the subsequent 18 months.
Connor Zilisch
If Hendrick Motorsports will get its method, there will not be a lot of a search in any respect.
According to The Athletic, Zilisch is the group’s top goal, with a number of experiences describing a future transfer to Hendrick as nearly inevitable as soon as his Trackhouse contract expires after the 2027 season.
The younger driver matches Hendrick’s profile completely. Widely considered as one of NASCAR’s brightest prospects, Zilisch has already attracted reward all through the storage regardless of an up-and-down rookie Cup marketing campaign. His ties to Chevrolet solely strengthen the match, having already represented the producer in factory-backed sports activities car competitors.
Connor Zilisch is the favourite for the No. 48 (Image: Getty)
Corey Day
If Hendrick decides to advertise from within, Corey Day is the apparent different. The Californian signed with Hendrick Motorsports in late 2024 and is spending 2026 competing full-time within the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series within the group’s No. 17 Chevrolet.
His transition from grime racing to pavement has impressed group executives, with Day accumulating a number of top-10 finishes and incomes his first sequence victory at Talladega during his rookie marketing campaign.
The largest query is timing. Reports recommend Hendrick views one other season of development as useful earlier than asking Day to make the leap to the Cup Series. But ought to Zilisch stay at Trackhouse or negotiations unexpectedly collapse, Day would already be below Hendrick’s roof and conversant in its tradition, making him the only inside answer.
Ross Chastain
If Hendrick pivots towards an established Cup winner, Ross Chastain could be among the many most intriguing prospects.
Chastain’s present deal with Trackhouse is set to run out after the 2027 season, doubtlessly making him obtainable simply as Bowman’s seat opens. While Trackhouse has established itself as a aggressive Chevrolet group, Hendrick stays the benchmark within the producer.
Chase Briscoe
Another identify value monitoring is Chase Briscoe. Like Chastain, Briscoe is reportedly set to change into a free agent after the 2027 season, creating a natural timeline if Hendrick unexpectedly appears to be like exterior its development pipeline.
Briscoe has established himself as one of the Cup Series’ most versatile drivers, succesful of profitable on a number of observe sorts whereas persistently contending for playoff positions.
Although The Athletic reported Hendrick’s present focus shouldn’t be on veteran free brokers corresponding to Briscoe, driver markets can shift rapidly relying on contract negotiations, producer strategy, and aggressive efficiency.
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