- Connor Zilisch and Hendrick Motorsports might be interested in each other.
- Zilisch’s contract situation with Trackhouse Racing could delay any developments.
- Corey Day is also in HMS’s pipeline.
Connor Zilisch’s 2026 season has been the hardest stretch since he entered NASCAR in 2023. Since his Cup Series debut, he has been trying to steady himself over the last 12 weeks without finding a consistent footing. At the same time, there is a circulating rumor that a seat at Hendrick Motorsports may be lined up for him.
Within Trackhouse Racing, the struggle has not been limited to one driver. Ross Chastain, who finished the 2022 season in P2, has also been unable to maintain his earlier pace, while Shane van Gisbergen continues to find his tempo in Cup competition on ovals. Within the garage, fingers have been pointed toward team performance and car setup as part of the wider issue.
If Zilisch receives a car capable of carrying him toward victory lane, the question now being asked is whether he would consider making a switch.
Are Connor Zilisch and HMS interested in each other?
Connor Zilisch entered NASCAR through the ARCA Menards Series in 2023, then moved forward after finishing the ARCA Menards East season in P2 in 2024 with four wins in eight starts. From there, he stepped into the NASCAR O’Reilly Series last year, where he again finished P2 with 10 wins for JR Motorsports. This season, however, his entry into the Cup Series has not matched expectations, even if no one expected him to dominate from day one.
After 12 races, Zilisch sits at P32 in the standings with zero top-five finishes and zero top-10 results. According to the latest reporting, Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic has stated that, based on sources, Hendrick Motorsports and Zilisch are believed to have an interest in each other.
The discussion has also been supported in part by veteran NASCAR reporter Bob Pockrass, who listed Zilisch as a possible candidate for Alex Bowman’s No. 48 seat next season, while adding that it would depend on whether there is enough money elsewhere.
Neither side has stated that Zilisch will be with Hendrick by 2027, but neither has shut the door on the possibility.
Possible buyout?
Zilisch signed a “multi-year agreement” in 2025 to drive the No. 88 for Trackhouse. While the exact length of the contract has not been made public, situations in NASCAR often shift, as seen in other driver movements.
For example, in late 2022, the then Richard Childress Racing driver Tyler Reddick announced plans to move to 23XI Racing for 2024 with one year remaining on his contract. That arrangement later changed course, and both sides parted ways earlier than expected, allowing Reddick to move into the No. 45 for the 2023 season. While early exits like this remain possible in the sport, another path is a buyout, and as Pockrass has suggested, financial backing plays a central role in that outcome.
In his reporting, Bianchi noted that negotiations around a potential buyout could push Hendrick Motorsports toward waiting until next season before making a move for Zilisch, adding that the 19-year-old is probably available for 2028.
Beyond Zilisch, Hendrick Motorsports also has Corey Day within its development pipeline as a possible future option to replace Alex Bowman. Outside of Day and Zilisch, there are no widely reported candidates currently linked to Hendrick if a change at Bowman’s seat takes place. For those considering a return of Kyle Busch, who previously drove for the organization from 2005 to 2007, sources indicate that a reunion is not part of current plans.
Contract status of Trackhouse Racing drivers
Trackhouse Racing currently holds one of the most stable driver lineups in the NASCAR Cup Series. Its lead driver, Ross Chastain, signed a multi-year contract extension in early 2023, and according to a May 2025 report from Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic, Chastain still has “multiple years” remaining on that agreement.
In 2025, Trackhouse also extended road-course specialist Shane van Gisbergen on a multi-year deal and promoted Connor Zilisch under a similar “multi-year agreement.”
Zilisch, signed in 2025, remains under contract with Trackhouse, with his deal running at least through the 2027 season.
