The Cup Series Chase Cutline: Who’s In, Who’s Out Entering Indianapolis
What’s Happening? NASCAR is entering the final stretch of its regular season, and the Chase cutline is becoming increasingly tense. While…
Thursday, Hendrick Motorsports finally made its move on the No. 48 car, re-signing Alex Bowman to a one-year deal, while also kicking off 2028 NASCAR Silly Season.
The discussions surrounding the No. 48 will continue well into next season, as Bowman is set to retire from full-time competition at season’s end.
What’s Happening? NASCAR is entering the final stretch of its regular season, and the Chase cutline is becoming increasingly tense. While…
This opening obviously is a major opportunity for HMS, as the team will break up its lineup for the first time since 2021, and its Bowman, Byron, Elliott core for the first time since its 2018 conception.
HMS has the chance to set its four-driver lineup for another long stretch, and though there are plenty of names that fans feel may fit the mark for a long-term replacement, the team will ultimately have to decide between a veteran and a young driver.
Here are just a few of the many possible options to take over for Bowman in 2028.
Amid rumors that Bowman was out of the No. 48 at the conclusion of the 2024 season, when HMS did not have a real prospect lined up for the future, one name that fans thought could be a leading candidate to take over the No. 48 was Rajah Caruth.
While Caruth has skill, most of the relationships are tied back to his then-position at Spire Motorsports’ Truck Series program and his sponsorship from Hendrickcars.com.
Of course, now Caruth is likely not on the board to replace Bowman, that likely will not stop some fans from suggesting he make the jump to Cup in 2028, given his status as a fan favorite driver and his continued ties to HMS.
Throughout Shane van Gisbergen’s two full-time NASCAR Cup Series seasons, there has been a question asked by many fans online.
Given HMS’s status as Chevrolet’s top team, how would the road course ace fare behind the wheel of an HMS car? These questions have lingered well into 2026, especially given SVG’s recent success on ovals.
Still, if SVG were to hit the market for 2028, his age likely does not fit the mold of what HMS needs for their No. 48, as most fans and rumors agree that it’s time for the team to bring in a young driver for the long haul.
So, if HMS wants to take a swing at a long-term star of NASCAR’s future, fans are already asking why not go for the home run with Carson Hocevar.
Hocevar’s stats may not jump off the page as a “big swing,” but he has shown he can race well when given the equipment, especially this season, and has a fan following that could one day rival those of HMS drivers Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott.
Still, Hocevar did sign a mega deal to stay at HMS-aligned Spire Motorsports for the rest of the decade, so at least it’s nice that the option could be there if another change needed to be made.
Corey Day is absolutely a name worth keeping an eye on during this discussion. After all, there was a time this year when the HMS O’Reilly Auto Parts Series driver was the leading candidate for the No. 48.
Though Day broke through for his first two wins during the spring, his early momentum from this season has cooled off in recent weekends; still, the No. 17 sits fourth in points.
By this time next season, Day could be a solid replacement option for Bowman, with time in place for the team to work out some Cup Series starts for him in the meantime.
Amid the discussions of Day potentially taking over the No. 48 for next season, one name completely disrupted these rumors this spring: 19-year-old Trackhouse Racing driver Connor Zilisch.
Zilisch has struggled during his rookie season, looking far from the dominant force he was for JR Motorsports during the 2025 season. That apparently has not cooled HMS’ interest in signing him once his contract is up at the end of next season, with Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic reporting on Thursday that HMS and Trackhouse have had discussions about his future.
For now, Zilisch is the leading candidate to take over the No. 48, but that doesn’t mean he would want to stay at Trackhouse or that something unpredictable could turn HMS’ interest elsewhere.
What’s Happening? NASCAR drivers, much like any athletes, have a period of free agency and multi-million dollar contracts. Based on information…
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