Rumor Mill: Connor Zilisch Moving to Hendrick Motorsports?
What’s Happening? The upcoming NASCAR Silly Season is finally shaping up to be as wild as expected, as new reports are…
One of the biggest NASCAR rumors of the week revolved around the apparent interest Trackhouse Racing’s Connor Zilisch has in moving to Hendrick Motorsports. While nothing is set in stone, what could a path to HMS look like for Zilisch?
NASCAR Silly Season is hardly a set season, as drivers and teams cut deals weeks, months, and in some cases, years before that driver actually hits the track.
But there is no question that the 2027 NASCAR Cup Series Silly Season is in full swing, as this week, fans got a real taste of the talk in the garage area: NASCAR insiders Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports and Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic both released updates on conversations there.
By far the biggest takeaway from these reports was talk of Connor Zilisch and Hendrick Motorsports. Both made mention of the fact that the de facto 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year could be a long-term option to take over HMS’ No. 48 upon the potential departure of Alex Bowman.
While Bowman is on a contract year, one major problem stands in the way of that.
What’s Happening? The upcoming NASCAR Silly Season is finally shaping up to be as wild as expected, as new reports are…
When fans first read these reports, they likely asked themselves, “Didn’t Zilisch just sign a deal with Trackhouse?”
The short answer is yes, something the team announced last fall, referring to his deal to drive the No. 88 as a “Multi-Year Agreement,” the classic term used by teams in these announcements, which tells fans the deal is at least for more than a year.
Both Bianchi and Pockrass noted that HMS could attempt to negotiate a buyout to secure Zilisch for 2027, but they could run into plenty of problems if they take that route.
So, if Zilisch does want to move on, what could he do?
What’s Happening? NASCAR drivers, much like any athletes, have a period of free agency and multi-million dollar contracts. Based on information…
While contracts can be among the more lackluster topics in other sports, NASCAR fans are always begging for as much information as possible about driver contracts.
One of the best examples of this came in July 2022, when Richard Childress Racing driver Tyler Reddick, in a similar spot to Zilisch, announced he had signed on to drive the No. 45 for 23XI Racing in 2024.
This announcement sparked the NASCAR community’s interest for many reasons. Beyond an awkward response from RCR, the most notable factor was that this deal came a year before he was set to be a free agent. While outside factors led to Reddick leaving early, a premature signing could be an option for HMS and Zilisch.
In his report, Bob Pockrass mentioned the Reddick route, and though that would perhaps not draw the same result as Reddick (leaving by year’s end anyway), it could benefit Hendrick.
This would give Hendrick a clear route, bringing back a consistent driver like Alex Bowman for 2027 and holding out for Zilisch in 2028. Even then, the problem becomes the future of prospect Corey Day, who has shown impressive skill racing in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series this season.
Nonetheless, any talk of a future between the two is just speculation as of press time, but if Reddick’s 2022 is any indication, that can change at a moment’s notice.
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