Connor Zilisch has signed a multi-year agreement with Hendrick Motorsports to succeed Alex Bowman in the organization’s No. 48 Chevrolet beginning in 2028.
“This is one of those moments you dream about as a kid,” Zilisch said in a prepared statement. “Hendrick Motorsports has always represented the standard in our sport, and being entrusted to help continue that legacy means everything to me. I’m grateful for the confidence they’ve shown in me, and it’s my job to prove they made the right decision.”
Zilisch began racing karts at age five and quickly emerged as an elite talent, highlighted by winning the FIA Karting Academy Trophy in 2020. After transitioning to cars in 2021, he competed successfully in sports cars, Trans-Am and Late Model stock cars before moving into NASCAR’s national ranks.
Zilisch drove a limited schedule for JR Motorsports in 2024 when he also recorded class victories in the Rolex 24 at Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring in his debut in both events. Later that year, less than two months after turning 18, he won his inaugural race in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Watkins Glen, leading 45 of 90 laps.
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Connor Zilisch celebrates his 2024 win in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Watkins Glen.
In 2025, Zilisch raced full-time for JR Motorsports in the NOAPS, winning 10 races
and posting 18 consecutive top-five finishes. Zilisch moved into NASCAR’s Cup Series full time this year with Trackhouse Racing.
Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick described Zilisch as a “truly gifted young racer.”
“His talent behind the wheel is exceptional, but I’m even more impressed by the person he is,” Hendrick said in a prepared statement. “When someone with that kind of ability and character becomes available, you do everything you can to bring them into your organization.”
Zilisch is joining Hendrick Motorsports in Ally Financial’s 10th season of primary sponsorship of the No. 48 car. The 20-year-old Zilisch is a native of the Charlotte, North Carolina, area where Ally maintains a large corporate presence.
A North Carolina native, Deb Williams is an award-winning motorsports journalist who is in her fourth decade covering auto racing. In addition to covering the sport for United Press International, she has written motorsports articles for several newspapers, magazines and websites including espnW.com, USA Today, and The Charlotte Observer. Her awards include the American Motorsports Media Award of Excellence, two-time National Motorsports Press Association writer of the year, and two-time recipient of the Russ Catlin award. She also has won an award in the North Carolina Press Association’s sports feature category. During her career, Deb has been managing editor of GT Motorsports magazine and was with Winston Cup Scene and NASCAR Winston Cup Scene for 18 years, serving as the publication’s editor for 10 years. In 2024 she was inducted into the NMPA Hall of Fame.