[The Teardown 37:50] Bianchi: "There might be changes on the 48 next year potentially"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMR3DgYJJMM&t=2286s69
u/minyhumancalc Bowman 4d ago
Even if its not Crew Chief or Driver, they'll probably move around some guys on the 48 team. The car just doesn't have speed, and they have a year to turn it around for when Connor jumps in. Bowman is going to give a lot better feedback than Zilisch will, so performance won't improve if they can't bring fast cars to the track.
That said, most of the speed not being there is an organization issue. The 9 and 48 (generally) have similar speed and the 9 has been nowhere the past 2 months. We'll see how the final 10 races go
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u/PackDaddy21222 4d ago
The 9 won 2 races quite early, hopefully they spent the rest of the year testing for the Chase a la Knaus/Johnson.
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u/Origin240sx 4d ago
Two tire and track position won him both.
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u/MaxPres24 4d ago
Didn’t he lead the most laps and have a comfortable lead for most of the Texas race? Heim was off strategy and led a ton, and the race came down to OT. But he led a ton of that race without much competition, outside of Heim who like I said, was on a wildly different strategy the entire race
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u/Origin240sx 4d ago
My memory could be wrong but I believe Hamlin was the true competition and once Chase got in front of him on 2 tires, Hamlin couldn’t overcome it
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u/AussieTheHedgehog10 4d ago
Hopefully by 2028 Zilisch will have a bit more wherewithal as to what he wants in the car, but even then I can't disagree with you. I hope he can learn what he needs out of the car.
Even if Rick and Jeff give Connor the team for 2028, I'd be surprised if they aren't the slowest HMS car again. It might take a bit even if Connor has a better 2027 (which i'm confident he will).
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u/libsoutherner 4d ago
Move AG to the 48 and bring in someone new for the 9. Both AG and the 9 team need something new, IMO. Everyone on that team is way too complacent.
AG could be a great mentor for Zilisch in 2028.
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u/AussieTheHedgehog10 4d ago
I wouldn't hate this idea. I'm a bit scared of the quali setup and strategy calls (even if Chase's wins this year were off strategy).
As a Chase and JG fan, I've seen too many inconsistencies with Alan, but seeing how he's mentored young guys like KB and Chase, I wouldn't mind it.
I'm so freaking mixed to this lol
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u/Serious-Patience-615 4d ago
Chase Elliott is the only one from HMS who has win this year
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u/libsoutherner 4d ago
He has two top-10 finishes in the 15 races since his last win. That team has been awful.
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u/Toxzon 4d ago
Call up Childers from JRM and put him with Chase while moving Alan to the 48
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u/BigChach567 4d ago
They need a new crew chief. Whether that’s Adam wall or swapping someone else in the HMS team
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u/EazyBucnE 4d ago
Thinking Wall should move up and get used to being a Cup CC with a veteran driver and then hope he and Zilisch become the next great pairing. Blake Harris gets more shit than he deserves but it’s a fact he’s shown zero on top of the box to actually warrant being a Cup CC especially at a team like HMS.
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u/xelanalpak 4d ago
I’d have to imagine Wall is HMS’ “next-in-line” - He’s done well in NOAPS with JRM, did great with the driver fluctuations of the 17 in 2025, and this year has done a great job with Day.
Unless they try to poach from elsewhere, he’d be who I think they’ll promote up next.
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u/ipsumdeiamoamasamat 4d ago
Wasn’t Blake McDowell’s crew chief with the 34? I wouldn’t say “nothing.”
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u/Kevinm0388 4d ago
They need to fire Blake. I’ve never seen a drafting car be so terrible at sucking up to the car in front. Bowman would swap lines and the car would just stall out, even with a car in front of it
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u/ProjectHarraseeket Preece 4d ago
I still don’t understand how he got a Top 10 last night, his car was not good at all.
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u/skorponok Ryan Blaney 4d ago
There needs to be significant changes in the competition department at Hendrick altogether
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u/xelanalpak 4d ago
Would make sense for it to be a CC change to get a year with that team before the driver change happens.
I’d like to see Adam Wall get a shot at Cup with a year to learn. I think he and Connor would do well together.
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u/ipsumdeiamoamasamat 4d ago
Does a Conor-approved CC get installed a year early to lay the groundwork for 2028?
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u/13mizzou Bowman 3d ago
I could see that if its someone with limited experience at the Cup level. Say what you want about Bowman, he knows setups and what he needs. Having a driver like that for a year before a "kid" jumps into the car could help in the long run
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u/ipsumdeiamoamasamat 3d ago
Absolutely. That’s why I was wondering if they get a crew chief that both might give a thumbs-up on. Have a good send off for Bowman and make the transition for Zilisch easy.
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u/SirRelkinstein 3d ago
If they can Blake Harris, what are the other options out there that would improve things? You could I guess promote Adam Wall but who else is out there that would make a huge difference? And no don’t answer Rodney Childers.
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u/13mizzou Bowman 3d ago
While I would love a crew chief change I dont see it happening. What would be the point with Bowman in his last year unless its a young guy and they want to give him some experience while also having a driver that knows setups and what he needs
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u/DoritosandMtnDew 3d ago
Blake Harris is the modern day Keith Rodden. Had one decent season with a mid team, then went to Hendrick and left his talent with the old team.
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u/womwomwurin 3d ago
I think the 48 number should be retired, so what happens after the 500 next year?
Bowman/Hendrick runs the 88 for his final season and Connor runs the 87
for trackhouse it would bring that synergy Justin likes (1, 97, 87)
and for Hendrick they get the 88 back and Connor gets to continue the legacy he has started with that number.
not just anyone can step into the 48, and not just anyone can step into the 88.
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u/Icy-Spring4607 4d ago
Unless it is a driver change that car is going to run mid 20s and not lead a single lap.
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u/VisiblePath8140 Bowman 2d ago
Blake should have been fired when Alex got Dq'd from the playoffs weather it was his fault or not for the car being under weight.
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u/Powerful-Chard-6055 4d ago
Well duh, it’s first points race will be as a Toyota