Hendrick Motorsports’ Driver Transitions: A Legacy of Strategic Roster Moves

Hendrick Motorsports stands as a NASCAR dynasty, boasting 15 Cup championships and 322 race victories—the pinnacle of organizational success. The team’s rarity in driver turnover reflects its elite status, attracting talent eager to compete at the highest level. Driver changes typically occur upon retirement, as the organization prioritizes long-term stability and meticulous selection.

The 2028 transition of Connor Zilisch into the No. 48 Chevrolet, following Alex Bowman’s exit, marks Hendrick’s first lineup shift since 2021. Kyle Larson’s 2021 arrival after Jimmie Johnson’s retirement exemplifies this strategic approach. Since then, the roster has remained consistent with Larson, Bowman, Chase Elliott, and William Byron. Over 15 years, only five driver changes have occurred at Hendrick Motorsports (excluding injury fill-ins).

Below is an analysis of the most recent transitions and their outcomes.

2021: Kyle Larson Assumes the No. 48

Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet and Hendrick Motorsport team owner, Rick Hendrick

Photo by: Meg Oliphant / Getty Images

After nearly two decades with Johnson, the iconic No. 48 embraced Larson, a driver returning to NASCAR following a suspension during the pandemic. The team also shifted Bowman to the No. 48 and reintroduced the No. 5. Larson’s debut was spectacular: winning 10 races and capturing the 2021 Cup Series title in his first year. He has since secured 26 victories with Hendrick, trailing only Jeff Gordon and Johnson, and added a second championship in 2025. His success validated Hendrick’s calculated risk.

2018: William Byron and Alex Bowman Join the Lineup

William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro

Photo by: Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Images

Following Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s final race in 2017, Hendrick bolstered its roster with Bowman and Byron. Bowman, who stepped in during Earnhardt’s 2016 concussion, faced an injury-ravaged career (concussions in 2022 and 2023, vertigo in 2026) leading to his 2027 retirement. Despite overcoming early struggles, he clinched eight victories and narrowly missed a 2024 Daytona 500 win. Byron replaced Kasey Kahne, a move driven by his rising profile in motorsports. After two winless seasons, Byron broke through in 2020, earning 16 wins and back-to-back Daytona 500 victories.

2016: Chase Elliott Takes Over for Jeff Gordon

Champion 2020, Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports

Photo by: NASCAR Media

Jeff Gordon’s retirement in 2015 opened the door for Chase Elliott, the son of NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott. Subject to intense scrutiny as both a family namesake and Gordon’s successor, Elliott endured a two-year winless stretch. He rebounded with 23 Cup victories, including a 2020 championship—the first Hendrick driver to claim the title since Johnson. Elliott’s legacy solidified as the team’s winningest driver after Gordon (70 wins) and Johnson (73).

2012 and Earlier: A Historic Timeline

Earlier transitions include Kasey Kahne replacing Mark Martin in 2012. Prior to this, roster moves accelerated in the 2000s, with drivers like Earnhardt Jr., Kyle Busch, and Brian Vickers stepping into key roles following retirements and team expansions. Johnson’s debut in 2002 marked the addition of Hendrick’s fourth full-time car.

Looking Ahead: Connor Zilisch’s Potential

Rick Hendrick and Connor Zilisch

Photo by: Hendrick Motorsports

Zilisch, 21 at his 2028 arrival, parallels Chase Elliott’s age when he joined Hendrick. Unlike Elliott, Zilisch will enter with two years of Cup experience from another team, offering a strategic advantage. Trackhouse’s “lame-duck” 2027 season for Bowman mirrors past transitions, but Zilisch’s Red Bull backing provides stability. Historically, the No. 48 has ranked lowest in Hendrick’s standings since 2019. If Zilisch revitalizes the car, it will signal a new era of success under Rick Hendrick and Jeff Gordon’s leadership.

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