Matt Johnson
Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman entered the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season in a contract year, needing to prove himself once again to keep his ride in the No. 48 car long-term. Unfortunately for Bowman, medical issues (vertigo) have become just the latest instance of his awful luck. With this season likely to end with him being the only driver on the team to miss The Chase, a replacement feels necessary next season.
Let’s dive into our list of potential replacements for Bowman in the No. 48 car at Hendrick for the 2027 NASCAR season.
Kyle Busch
Hendrick Motorsports might envision Corey Day as a long-term option for the No. 48 seat, but the 20-year-old needs to learn how to race in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series without causing havoc before he becomes 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 a winless streak in the Cup Series that’s reaching toward triple digits. Busch has partnered with Hendrick before, driving the No. 7 in the Truck Series. A two-year deal could give him a shot at adding a few wins before he retires. By then, Day could be ready.
Read More: Best NASCAR Races 2026, Ranking Every NASCAR Race This Season
Rajah Caruth
It’s early in the season, but Rajah Caruth is making the most of his opportunities in OARS. He’s delivered top-10 finishes in three of his first 10 races, averaging 37 points per race on ovals this season. Hendrick would be taking a gamble here, especially since Caruth will be just 24 years old in June, but he’ll have run 50-plus races in the O’Reilly Series with 75 races in the Truck Series. Caruth’s chances of getting into the No. 48 car should certainly depend on how he fares the rest of this season, but he’s probably one of the top in-house options for Hendrick as of now.
Ross Chastain
What could Ross Chastain accomplish with better equipment and a team with more resources? He’s accomplished everything he realistically can at Trackhouse Racing, giving the team 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 last three years coming into 2026. However, it also seems pretty clear that Connor Zilisch will be the new face of the team before long. Next season might be the perfect time for Chastain to depart, getting a chance to truly show what he’s capable of in the No. 48 car.
Tyler Reddick
Does Hendrick Motorsports want to create an uncomfortable bidding war for 23XI Racing? That’s the real question here. Given that Tyler Reddick just 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 lets anyone outspend him on Reddick. With that said, if Hendrick wants to swing for the fences, Reddick is the best driver on an expiring contract right now, and there isn’t a close second.
Related: NASCAR Insiders Sheds Light on Tyler Reddick’s Future with 23X Racing
Chris Buescher
As previously mentioned, Hendrick Motorsports isn’t exactly swimming in internal options right now. It could at least give Bowman a shot at keeping the No. 48 car for one more season, with the team viewing this season as a wash and not feeling confident about any of the unproven drivers it has in the system. However, Chris Buescher might be in a contract year. He would be entering his age-34 season in 2027, so perhaps a three-year deal could work for both sides. Buescher has been a fairly consistent top-10 points driver in recent seasons for RFK Racing, absolutely maximizing everything he’s given in the No. 17 car. It’s a good situation for him, but the No. 48 team with Hendrick’s resources would provide him with a shot at even greater consistency and more wins. If anyone could pull Buescher away from RFK, it would be HMS.
