Connor Zilisch to join Hendrick Motorsports after rookie season
3 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 19, 2026, 4:38 PM
Last updated Aug 19, 2026
Connor Zilisch, currently racing with Trackhouse Racing, has revealed plans to move to Hendrick Motorsports' No. 48 Ally Chevrolet following the conclusion of his rookie contract. The 20-year-old has faced challenges during his debut season in the Cup Series but has caught the eye of Rick Hendrick, who has admired Zilisch's potential since last season. This transition marks a significant step in Zilisch's career as he shifts to one of NASCAR's premier teams.
- •Zilisch is 20 years old and a rookie in the Cup Series.
- •Currently drives for Trackhouse Racing in his first season.
- •Plans to race for Hendrick Motorsports' No. 48 Chevrolet.
- •Rick Hendrick has shown interest in Zilisch since last season.
- 4:38 PMMotorsport.com — Connor Zilisch doesn't mean Hendrick still isn't big on Corey Day
- 10:28 PMMotorsport.com — Connor Zilisch couldn’t say ‘no’ to a Cup ride at Hendrick Motorsports
- 10:28 PMYahoo Sports — Connor Zilisch couldn’t say ‘no’ to a Cup ride at Hendrick Motorsports
"Loyalty means a great deal to Connor Zilisch but this is Hendrick Motorsports. The 20-year-old is trudging along through a challenging Cup Series rookie season with Trackhouse Racing but already knows where he is going after that first contract expires after next season -- the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet. It is a unique scenario because Rick Hendrick has coveted Zilisch ever since last season ...Keep reading
"Just because Connor Zilisch has been hired to drive the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet in 2028, that doesn’t mean Hendrick Motorsports doesn’t have a plan for Corey Day. That was part of what was revealed during a press conference on Tuesday in which Rick Hendrick and Jeff Gordon introduced Zilisch as their next generation driver following his two-year rookie contract stint at Trackhouse ...Keep reading
"However, there's still development to come with Trackhouse through 2027
Sources
External links- Motorsport.comAug 19, 2026, 4:38 PMConnor Zilisch doesn't mean Hendrick still isn't big on Corey Day
Just because Connor Zilisch has been hired to drive the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet in 2028, that doesn’t mean Hendrick Motorsports doesn’t have a plan for Corey Day. That was part of what was revealed during a press conference on Tuesday in which Rick Hendrick and Jeff Gordon introduced Zilisch as their next generation driver following his two-year rookie contract stint at Trackhouse ...Keep reading
- Motorsport.comAug 18, 2026, 10:28 PMConnor Zilisch couldn’t say ‘no’ to a Cup ride at Hendrick Motorsports
Loyalty means a great deal to Connor Zilisch but this is Hendrick Motorsports. The 20-year-old is trudging along through a challenging Cup Series rookie season with Trackhouse Racing but already knows where he is going after that first contract expires after next season -- the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet. It is a unique scenario because Rick Hendrick has coveted Zilisch ever since last season ...Keep reading
- Yahoo SportsAug 18, 2026, 10:28 PMConnor Zilisch couldn’t say ‘no’ to a Cup ride at Hendrick Motorsports
However, there's still development to come with Trackhouse through 2027
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