Connor Zilisch Vows to Leave Trackhouse on a High Note Before Hendrick Move
Connor Zilisch is making one thing clear as he prepares to leave Trackhouse Racing for Hendrick Motorsports: he wants to finish the job the right way. The 20-year-old driver, who will join HMS in 2028 after spending 2027 with Trackhouse, says he is determined to leave his current team with gratitude, not bitterness.
Speaking to SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Zilisch made his intentions plain.
“I just want to go out on a high note. Want to make my team proud. I want to leave Trackhouse with a smile on my face and with everybody telling me, ‘Thank you for all you did’. I don't want any sourness or people not liking the way I handled my time at Trackhouse. I just want to make sure I leave Trackhouse better than I found it.”
Zilisch’s Rookie Season Has Had Its Struggles
Zilisch’s first full-time Cup Series season has not been smooth sailing. There have been flashes of raw talent, but consistency has been hard to come by. A string of unfortunate incidents and bad luck in several races has made the learning curve steeper than expected.
Still, recent results show progress. A season-best 7th place finish at Sonoma turned heads, and he followed that up with an 11th place run at Iowa. That momentum was enough to catch the attention of Hendrick Motorsports, one of NASCAR’s most storied organizations.
What Led to Hendrick Motorsports’ Interest?
The move came together quickly during NASCAR’s chaotic “silly season.” It all started when Alex Bowman announced he would retire after the 2027 season. Bowman, 33, has dealt with a series of health setbacks in recent years, including a back injury in 2023 that cost him three races and a bout of vertigo in 2026 that sidelined him for four more.
With Bowman’s exit on the horizon, HMS needed a successor. Other names like Corey Day and Rajah Caruth were considered, but neither has any Cup Series experience. Throwing a rookie into one of NASCAR’s top rides is a major risk, and Rick Hendrick and his team were not willing to take that chance.
Instead, they turned to Trackhouse Racing and secured Zilisch’s signature. It is a bold bet on a driver still finding his footing at the highest level, but it also gives Zilisch a clear path forward. He can treat the remainder of this season and all of 2027 as valuable experience, then arrive at Hendrick in 2028 with a full season of Cup racing under his belt.
Zilisch’s Commitment to Trackhouse
Zilisch says he owes it to Trackhouse owner Justin Marks to leave the team in a strong position.
“Make sure that there's going to be a high calibre driver wanting to get in the #88 Chevrolet and race for Trackhouse. That's really important to me, I owe that to Justin. So yeah, I'll be working as hard as I ever worked to make sure that happens. Until the day that I am no longer a Trackhouse driver, I'm going to continue to work my butt off and make sure that me and my team are getting the most out of our car every single weekend.”
For Iowa racing fans, Zilisch’s 11th place finish at Iowa Speedway earlier this season was a sign of what could be. As he continues to develop, his commitment to finishing strong at Trackhouse and preparing for a future at Hendrick will be worth watching.
What’s Next for Zilisch?
With the rest of 2026 and all of 2027 still ahead at Trackhouse, Zilisch has time to grow. His focus remains on improving every weekend and leaving a lasting positive impression. If his recent performances are any indication, he is on the right track.
For now, the young driver is keeping his head down and working. The promise of a Hendrick ride in 2028 is a big opportunity, but Zilisch knows he has to earn it every step of the way.