Hendrick Motorsports did not wait very long to fill its 2028 NASCAR Cup Series driver vacancy. Connor Zilisch will drive in the No. 48 Chevrolet starting in 2028, the team announced on Aug. 17. The team's press release termed the contract as a "multi-year agreement." Alex Bowman announced earlier this summer that he was retiring from Cup Series racing following the 2027 season, opening the No. 48 seat up. "This is one of those moments you dream about as a kid," Zilisch said in the team's press release. "Hendrick Motorsports has always represented the standard in our sport, and being entrusted to help continue that legacy means everything to me." Zilisch, 20, is considered one of the sport's most promising young drivers despite his steep learning curve as a Cup Series rookie this season. Zilisch is 34th in points this year, driving for Trackhouse Racing. He has one top-10 finish and eight DNFs in 24 starts in 2026. RICHMOND WINNERS, LOSERS: NASCAR Richmond winners, losers as Joey Logano, Austin Cindric lead Ford renaissance
But he was dominant in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2025, winning 10 races in his first full-time season in one of NASCAR's national series. Zilisch just missed out on a series championship last November at Phoenix, but he was the top driver in the series throughout. Zilisch will have the final 12 races this season plus next year's full slate at Trackhouse to prepare for one of NASCAR's top seats. Trackhouse confirmed in a statement that Zilisch will remain in their No. 88 entry for the 2027 Cup Series season.
A statement from Justin Marks on Connor Zilisch’s departure to Hendrick Motorsports for the 2028 season. pic.twitter.com/vQsEU5s9GQ — Trackhouse Racing (@TeamTrackhouse) August 17, 2026 Hendrick Motorsports' press release notes that Ally will continue sponsoring the No. 48 into 2028. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Connor Zilisch will join Hendrick Motorsports, No. 48 car for 2028 NASCAR Cup season