Jeff Gordon Reveals the Question Connor Zilisch Had to Answer Before Hendrick Deal

Connor Zilisch’s talent was never really the question.

Long before Hendrick Motorsports announced that the 20-year-old would take over its famed No. 48 Chevrolet beginning with the 2028 NASCAR Cup Series season, Zilisch had established himself as one of the sport’s most coveted young drivers.

But during a press conference following the announcement, Jeff Gordon revealed that Hendrick was looking for considerably more than raw speed before committing to Zilisch as part of its long-term future.

And there was one racing question in particular that Gordon wanted answered.

Could Zilisch be just as good on an oval?

“So we all knew how talented he was on the road courses,” Gordon said. “To me, I think a lot of it was, well, what can he do on ovals?”

According to Gordon, Zilisch has already provided the answer.

“He proved and is continuing to prove that he’s good behind the wheel at any track that you put him on.”

Zilisch will join Hendrick Motorsports in 2028 under a multiyear agreement and replace Alex Bowman in the No. 48 Chevrolet. Bowman previously announced that he will step away from full-time Cup Series competition following the 2027 season.

Zilisch will remain with Trackhouse Racing through 2027 before making the move.

His arrival will represent Hendrick’s first full-time Cup driver change since Kyle Larson joined the organization in 2021. It also puts Zilisch behind the wheel of the number Jimmie Johnson drove to seven championships and 83 Cup victories.

That’s why Gordon’s explanation of what Hendrick values in a driver is particularly revealing.

“It’s not just his talent, that’s pretty obvious,” Gordon said. “It’s really making sure it’s somebody that has great communication skills, wants to be a great team player.”

For Gordon, now vice chairman of Hendrick Motorsports, those qualities carry considerable weight because of how closely the organization’s four Cup teams work together.

“The way that Hendrick Motorsports works I feel like is unlike any other organization out there and I get the pleasure to sit in on those debriefs for the drivers and the crew chiefs, engineers,” Gordon said. “And the more transparent you are, the more confident you are, the more information that you can add to the conversation, it elevates the entire organization.”

NASCAR itself characterized Gordon’s assessment similarly, highlighting Zilisch’s talent, communication skills and team-first approach as reasons he fits Hendrick’s culture.

The Hendrick announcement comes during Zilisch’s rookie Cup season with Trackhouse Racing, and his transition to NASCAR’s highest level has not been seamless.

Through his first 24 starts of 2026, Zilisch has eight DNFs and sits 34th in the standings. But there have also been signs of progress, including a seventh-place finish at Sonoma and an 11th-place result at Iowa.

His résumé before reaching Cup was difficult to ignore.

Zilisch won 10 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races in 2025 and finished runner-up in the championship. His rise also included victories on both road courses and ovals, helping erase the question Gordon said once surrounded his versatility.

Now Hendrick is betting on what Zilisch can become.

He still has the remainder of 2026 and the entire 2027 season with Trackhouse before that next chapter begins, something Zilisch has emphasized since the Hendrick deal became public.

But Gordon’s comments make clear that Hendrick’s decision wasn’t based solely on what everyone can see on a timing screen.

The organization wanted a driver who could communicate, contribute to its collaborative culture and become a complete racer across NASCAR’s schedule.

In Hendrick’s eyes, Zilisch has shown enough to answer those questions.