The No. 48 legacy returns
Hendrick Motorsports announced that Jimmie Johnson will take the wheel of the No. 48 Chevrolet in the 2027 Daytona 500, marking the veteran’s final full‑time entry before retirement.
The decision has immediate implications for Alex Bowman, whose current ride in the same number has been linked to uncertain sponsorship prospects, prompting teams to reassess the driver‑sponsor alignment for the upcoming season.
Clash returns to Daytona, Brickyard’s fate hangs in balance
Eric Estepp, a veteran analyst, sees the move as part of a broader reshuffling that also revives the season‑opening Clash at Daytona, a race that has historically drawn massive attention.
At the same time, the future of the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis is being questioned, with Estepp arguing that the real obstacle is the Next Gen car’s performance on the track rather than the historic venue itself.
In an upcoming episode of NASCAR Film Room, Estepp will preview the Brickyard 400 winner Corey Heim, adding a narrative thread that ties the new car dynamics to the race’s evolving identity.