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Connor Zilisch Shuts Down Early Hendrick Motorsports Rumors for 2027
The Trackhouse rookie says he is happy where he is, even as talk swirls that he could jump to the iconic team a year ahead of schedule.
Connor Zilisch is not rushing to Hendrick Motorsports. Speaking to reporters ahead of the championship weekend at Homestead-Miami, the 20-year-old Trackhouse Racing driver pushed back on speculation that he could join the iconic team in 2027, a year earlier than his confirmed 2028 move to replace Alex Bowman.
The chatter took off after Jesse Love and Corey Heim were tied to moves up the ladder for next season. Denny Hamlin then added fuel on his Actions Detrimental podcast. On the October 12 episode, he speculated about Brad Keselowski's options after the veteran left RFK Racing, and fans read the comments as a hint that a shuffle of seats could open an early door for Zilisch. Hamlin never named Zilisch or Bowman, but the online crowd connected the dots anyway.
Zilisch did not slam the door, but he did not invite the rumor either. Reporters relayed his comments on November 6, and the message was clear: he sees his current situation as the right one. Bowman has one more year under contract, Zilisch has sponsor obligations to meet, and he would rather finish the job he started at Trackhouse than leave after a season he describes as a learning experience.
The timing matters for more than gossip. Zilisch drives the No. 88 Chevrolet and sits 33rd in the 2026 Cup Series standings, a rough campaign for a team that was among the first to figure out the new Next Gen car. Fellow Trackhouse drivers Shane van Gisbergen and Ross Chastain are also outside the top 16. Zilisch says a lower-pressure seat gives him room to grow without the scrutiny that comes with a Hendrick ride, and he wants to close out the year on a stronger note.
For fans, the takeaway is simple: the 2028 Hendrick move is still on, but the early-debut theory is running ahead of the facts. Until a seat actually opens, expect the rumor mill to keep turning. For now, Zilisch is focused on results and on proving he belongs at the top before he gets there.
Read the original report on EssentiallySports.
