Hendrick Motorsports holds numerous NASCAR data, together with probably the most Cup championships of any group in historical past (15), and probably the most race wins too (322 on the writing of this story).
It is also a race group that does not see quite a lot of turnover, and for good purpose. Hendrick is the top and a spot many drives dream of driving for. Additionally they select their drivers very rigorously, and most modifications are solely triggered by retirements. In any case, when you be part of the HMS empire, who would wish to depart?
When Connor Zilisch takes over the No. 48 automobile from Alex Bowman in 2028, it is going to be the primary change to the Hendrick Cup lineup because the 2021 season. After seven-time NASCAR Cup Sequence champion Jimmie Johnson retired from full-time competitors, Kyle Larson crammed the opening he left behind.
Since then, it has been Larson and Bowman alongside Chase Elliott and William Byron. In reality, going again 15 years, there have solely been 5 modifications to the driving force lineup at HMS (excluding accidents and fill-in drivers, after all).
This is a rundown of every of the latest modifications to the Hendrick roster, making up the present lineup of drivers. We’ll focus on the explanations behind the change, and the way the signing labored out for all concerned.
2021: Kyle Larson replaces Jimmie Johnson
Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet and Hendrick Motorsport group proprietor, Rick Hendrick
Photograph by: Meg Oliphant / Getty Photos
Jimmie Johnson was the driving force of the Hendrick No. 48 for nearly 20 years. That automobile was added as a fourth full-time entry for the group in 2002. He after all went on to win dozens of races and 7 titles, and whereas Larson nonetheless has an extended technique to go to match that, he is actually doing simply tremendous. With Larson’s signing, the group introduced again its iconic No. 5, and truly shifted Bowman from the No. 88 to the No. 48, however Larson was nonetheless the brand new driver filling the void left behind by Johnson.
Larson was returning to NASCAR after being suspended for utilizing a racial slur whereas iRacing throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. This was his second probability, and he actually did not waste it. In his very first yr as a Hendrick driver, Larson gained ten races and the 2021 NASCAR Cup Sequence title. He is gained a complete of 26 Cup races with Hendrick, and solely Gordon and Johnson have gained extra for Mr. H. He additionally secured a second Cup Sequence title in 2025.
2018: William Byron and Alex Bowman exchange Kasey Kahne and Dale Earnhardt Jr.
William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro
Photograph by: Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Photos
This was a yr of change for HMS. Earnhardt ran his last NASCAR Cup Sequence race within the 2017 Homestead finale. Alex Bowman had already crammed in for Earnhardt when he was sidelined by a concussion in 2016, and now, he was filling the footwear of NASCAR’s Most Widespread Driver. Sadly, Bowman’s personal profession can be marred by accidents as nicely. A concussion in 2022, a again damage in 2023, and a extreme case of vertigo in 2026 all compelled him out of the automobile. Bowman, who is barely 33, will retire from full-time competitors on the finish of the 2027 season. However he had his moments, profitable eight races with Hendrick, and practically the 2024 Daytona 500 as he was the runner-up in a 1-2 end for the group. 2021 was a spotlight, as he gained 4 races in that season alone, however it feels as if there was a lot potential that was by no means uncovered on this pairing.
As for Kasey Kahne, he was pushed out to make room for Byron as he was a rising star with quite a lot of success within the decrease divisions. Kahne’s personal Cup profession ended quickly after for medical causes. The No. 5 was shelved and Byron grew to become the brand new face of the No. 24 as teammate Chase Elliott switched to the No. 9 his father famously drove. Byron struggled at first with back-to-back winless seasons. Nevertheless, the wins began to come back in 2020, and he now has 16 whole. That features back-to-back victories within the Daytona 500. He additionally superior into the Championship 4 in three consecutive years of the now-defunct playoff format.
2016: Chase Elliott replaces Jeff Gordon
Champion 2020, Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports
Photograph by: NASCAR Media
Gordon stays the winningest driver in Hendrick Motorsports historical past, and now serves because the Vice Chairman at Hendrick Motorsports. In 2015, he retired from full-time competitors, and the son of NASCAR Corridor of Famer Invoice Elliott took his place. The youthful Elliott had quite a lot of strain each due to his title and the footwear he was filling. Like Byron, it was a sluggish begin and he went winless in his first two seasons as nicely. However since then, he has gained a complete of 23 Cup wins, fourth all-time for Hendrick behind Larson, Gordon, and Johnson. In 2020, he grew to become a NASCAR Cup Sequence champion, and was the primary Hendrick driver because the Johnson period to carry the crown.
In the event you go even earlier, the following change on the checklist can be 2012 when Kasey Kahne changed Mark Martin. Earlier than that, it turns into a bit extra frequent into the 2000s. Martin changed Casey Mears in 2009, Earnhardt Jr. changed Kyle Busch in 2008, Mears changed Brian Vickers in 2007, Busch changed Terry Labonte in 2005, Vickers changed Joe Nemechek close to the tip of the 2003 season, Nemechek changed Jerry Nadeau mid-season in 2002…and eventually there’s Johnson as Hendrick driver as they added a fourth automobile that very same season.
Outlook for Zilisch
Rick Hendrick and Connor Zilisch
Photograph by: Hendrick Motorsports
Zilisch shall be 21 years previous when he joins Hendrick Motorsports, which is similar to Elliott’s age when he first joined the Hendrick Cup group. In contrast to him, Zilisch could have two years of Cup expertise underneath his belt with one other group earlier than he makes the leap to Hendrick. That might be tremendous useful as he works via the training curve that even Byron and Elliott confronted, however with out the highlight of being in a Hendrick seat whereas working via it.
It will be attention-grabbing to see how he progresses into 2027 as Trackhouse has to navigate the truth that it is a lame-duck yr for the driving force of its No. 88 Chevrolet. Kahne is an instance of a driver who signed with Hendrick greater than a yr sooner than the seat opened, which he spent driving for Purple Bull Racing (ironic as Zilisch can be a Purple Bull-backed driver). Nevertheless, your entire group was planning to close down although, so it wasn’t a scenario the place the group was trying right into a future past Kahne, who did safe the group its last Cup win.
Of be aware, the Hendrick No. 48 has been the lowest-ranked Hendrick automobile within the standings yearly since 2019, together with Johnson’s last two years within the automobile. If Zilisch manages to vary that in his first yr with the group, that alone shall be a win for the No. 48 squad. However regardless, it is clear that Rick Hendrick and Jeff Gordon firmly imagine within the younger driver, and are prepared to provide him the time so as to mildew him right into a championship-contender.
Learn Additionally:
We wish your opinion!
What would you prefer to see on Motorsport.com?
– The Motorsport.com Workforce
