When it was announced that Connor Zilisch, not Corey Day, would be replacing Alex Bowman behind the wheel of the No. 48 Chevrolet at Hendrick Motorsports following the 2027 NASCAR Cup Series season, there were questions about Day's future with the organization, after he was signed at the end of 2024 with the goal of developing him into a Cup Series driver.
It was later confirmed that Day, who is in the midst of a strong rookie season in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series season after running part-time a year ago, would indeed be back with Hendrick Motorsports' O'Reilly Series team for the 2027 season.
Now it has been announced that the 20-year-old Clovis, California native has signed a "long-term" contract extension that is set to include several Cup Series starts.
Corey Day deal leaves one Hendrick driver without a long-term extension
His part-time Cup schedule for the 2027 season has not yet been announced, and with teams currently disallowed from running more than four cars, it remains to be seen how Hendrick will facilitate that schedule, specifically what car he'll drive and for which team.
But with Day now locked in long-term with Hendrick, even after many felt he was snubbed when they went with Zilisch as Bowman's replacement, and with Zilisch already confirmed to be replacing Bowman in 2028, Kyle Larson and the team having agreed to a contract extension that runs through 2031 just before the 2026 season began, and William Byron already under contract through 2029, there is just one driver not locked in long-term.
That driver is 2020 champion Chase Elliott.
Elliott has been under contract with Hendrick Motorsports through the end of the 2027 season since signing an extension before the 2022 season, which was due to be a contract year.
Elliott's rookie season was 2016, and he was already under contract through 2018 when he signed a four-year extension in 2017, so it's highly unlikely that he and the team won't get a new deal done before the 2027 season begins.
But he is now the only one of the five Hendrick drivers, six if you include Bowman signing his one-year extension to return next year, who has not signed a contract extension since May 2025.
All things considered, Hendrick appears set for the long haul. The main question for Elliott now would appear to be whether or not it is really in Hendrick's best interest to keep him with the same crew chief for his 12th season in 2027.
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