Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman enters the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season in a contract year, needing to prove himself once again if he wants to keep his ride in the No. 48 car long-term. Unfortunately for Bowman, medical problems (vertigo) have become the latest example of his terrible luck. Since this season is likely to be over and he will be the team’s only driver to miss The Chase, a replacement next season seems necessary.
Let’s take a look at our list of potential replacements for Bowman in the No. 48 car at Hendrick for the 2027 NASCAR season.
kyle busch
Hendrick Motorsports may look to Corey Day as a long-term option for the No. 48 seat, but the 20-year-old needs to learn how to race without a glitch in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series before becoming a full-time driver at the highest level. What could work is a succession plan, with Kyle Busch replacing Bowman for the next two years. The future Hall of Famer has had disastrous results with Richard Childress Racing, as evidenced by his lack of wins in the Cup Series approaching three points. Busch has partnered with Hendrick before, driving the No. 7 in the Truck Series. A two-year deal could give him a chance to add some wins before retiring. By then, Day could be ready.
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carruth diagram
It’s still early in the season, but King Carruth is making the most of his opportunities at OARS. He has finished in the top 10 in three of his first 10 races, averaging 37 points per race on ovals this season. Hendrick may be gambling here, especially since Carruth will turn just 24 in June, but he will have driven more than 50 races in the O’Reilly Series along with 75 races in the Truck Series. Carruth’s chances of moving into the No. 48 car should certainly depend on how he performs the rest of this season, but he’s probably one of the top homegrown options for Hendrick so far.
Ross Chastain
What could Ross Chastain accomplish with better equipment and a team with more resources? He has achieved virtually everything he can at Trackhouse Racing, leading the team to become a perennial playoff contender with at least one win in each of the last four seasons. Chastain also boasts 40 combined top-10 finishes over the past three years leading up to 2026. However, it also seems pretty clear that Connor Zylisch will soon be the new face of the team. Next season may be the right time for Chastain to depart, giving her a chance to really show what she’s capable of in the No. 48 car.
tyler reddick
Does Hendrick Motorsports want to create an uncomfortable bidding war for racing the 23XI? This is the real question here. Given that Tyler Reddick made history as the first NASCAR Cup Series driver to win the first three races of the season, we don’t envision any scenario where ultra-aggressive competitor and billionaire Michael Jordan allows anyone but Reddick to overtake him. That said, if Hendricks wants to swing for the fences, Redick is the best driver on an expiring contract right now, and there isn’t anyone else around him.
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Chris Buescher
As mentioned earlier, Hendrick Motorsports isn’t exactly swimming in interior options right now. This could at least give Bowman a chance to keep the No. 48 car for another season, with the team seeing this season as a waste and not feeling confident with any unproven drivers in the system. However, Chris Buescher could be in a contract year. He will enter his age-34 season in 2027, so perhaps a three-year deal could work for both parties. Buescher has been a fairly consistent top-10 points driver in recent seasons for RFK Racing, fully maximizing what he’s been given in the No. 17 car. It’s a good situation for him, but the No. 48 team with Hendrick’s resources will provide him with even more consistency and a chance for more wins. If anyone could pull Buescher away from RFK, it would be HMS.
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