The Earnhardts “were family”, Rick Hendrick once said in 2017. This familial bond has sprung up in various ways. Hendrick offered Dale Earnhardt Jr. a seat in Hendrick Motorsports in 2007, when Junior had to part ways with DEI. Then the winningest team owner assisted Dale Jr. and his sister Kelley in establishing and growing their Xfinity Series team, JR Motorsports. Standing in 2025, that close bond has not withered one bit. Hendrick again came to their rescue in the wake of Connor Zilisch’s mishap.

The No. 88 JRM Chevrolet driver encountered a harrowing crash last weekend in Talladega. Alarmed queries and ripples of worry rocked Connor Zilisch’s fans and peers. Although the young prodigy assured them he was okay, things have turned for the worse, and an HMS star is here to help.

Connor Zilisch to sit out the upcoming event

The wreck on the last lap of the Ag-Pro 300 race rattled spectators. Connor Zilisch was leading the field when he got turned after receiving a bump from Jesse Love. The 18-year-old then crashed his No. 88 heavily into the SAFER barrier of the inside wall. Subsequently, he was rushed to the infield care center, with his close friend Love biting his nails in worry.

Soon after, Zilisch said he was “grateful to be up and walking.” However, his radio message during the crash foreshadowed the events that have transpired since, as he said, “Ow ow ow, my back.” Zilisch needs to put a temporary hold on his streak of gathering 6 top-ten finishes in 15 races after suffering a lower back injury following his crash. But while he focuses on healing himself, one other than Rick Hendrick’s top driver will sub for him. That may be all because of Hendrick’s old bond with Dale Jr.

While Connor Zilisch is taking a medical sabbatical, Kyle Larson will wheel the No. 88 Chevy in Texas. In an official statement on X, JR Motorsports updated the news. “Kyle Larson will sub for Connor Zilisch behind the wheel of the No. 88 Chevrolet this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway as Zilisch continues to recover from a lower back injury sustained last weekend at Talladega.” 

After the Xfinity Series visits Texas, two off-weekends will follow, giving Zilisch plenty of time to recover. Dale Jr. dropped a heartfelt message on X, wishing for his driver’s recovery. “It sucks to see Connor have to sit out but I’m thankful he is being smart and patient with this injury. He’ll be back in the seat and back at the front of the field soon enough.” 

Kyle Larson has a wealth of experience in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. He won at Bristol Motor Speedway this season and has 16 career wins in NASCAR’s second-tier division. He even wheeled the JRM Chevy once before, running in a 2022 Watkins Glen race, which he conquered. Connor Zilisch, whom the HMS star has endorsed several times for his incredible talents, hailed Larson for helping him out.

“Thank you to @KyleLarsonRacin for stepping up for me this weekend and everyone who has helped me through this process. Doing everything I can to be back as soon as possible❤️.” Zilisch is sure to receive a medical waiver that will allow him to keep his playoff eligibility. But this will still hurt him in the regular season standings. He was set to enter Texas sixth overall with just 23 points separating him and 12th-place driver, Harrison Burton.

So, Rick Hendrick helped out his former Cup Series driver again during times of need. However, this is hardly the first instance of an HMS-JRM bond in the 2025 season.

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Giving wings to Dale Jr.’s team

While Connor Zilisch recovers, his No. 88 JR Motorsports team shows gratitude to Rick Hendrick. However, the No. 7 JRM team already tipped its hat in respect to the elite team owner this season. Ever since Dale Jr. and Kelley Earnhardt opened their team doors in 2008, they had never ventured out of the Xfinity Series. But that became a possibility in January this year.

In an episode of ‘Bussin’ With The Boys’. Dale Jr. revealed that Traveller Whiskey initially approached Hendrick Motorsports with hopes of entering the Daytona 500. Hendrick told them that his roster was already at full capacity, but he slipped in a note of recommendation. “I know my friend Dale Jr. wants to enter the Daytona 500.” For Dale Jr., pushing out one of his team cars to the race, which he has won twice (2004, 2014), was a dream come true.

Justin Allgaier wheeled the No. 40 Traveller Whiskey Chevrolet and qualified it for the race under tremendous odds. Then he drove it to a spectacular 9th-place finish at the 2025 Daytona 500 to mark JRM’s Cup Series debut in style. And Dale Jr. attributed it all to Rick Hendrick’s efforts: “So, they hooked us up with Traveller, and we took Traveller to Daytona, and it was really emotional.”

Even Kelley Earnhardt Miller emotionally hailed Hendrick, revealing her interaction on a Dale Jr podcast: “Like, ‘Mr. Hendrick, is this something that you think we can pull off?’ He’s like, ‘Of course, you know, I’ll advise and assist on however you guys need.” Kelley admitted to asking what she called “all the stupid questions,” and Hendrick was there to answer all of them.

Evidently, Dale Earnhardt Jr. benefited from his bond with Rick Hendrick yet again. Here’s to wishing Connor Zilisch a swift and healthy recovery!