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Greg Ives has been linked to a possible return to the pit box at Hendrick Motorsports, where he could reunite with Alex Bowman for Bowman’s final full-time Cup Series season in 2027.
The talk started Wednesday on a NASCAR rumor account on Instagram. Neither Hendrick nor Ives has confirmed it, and it should be treated as a rumor until the team says otherwise.
An Opening on the No. 48
The No. 48 needs a new crew chief. Blake Harris, Bowman’s crew chief since 2023, is leaving for Trackhouse Racing to work with Shane van Gisbergen. Hendrick has not named his replacement. RACER previously reported that Adam Wall, Corey Day’s O’Reilly Series crew chief, was among the names being discussed.
Ives and Bowman’s History
Ives was Bowman’s crew chief from 2018 through 2022. The pair won seven Cup races together, four of them in 2021.
Before that, Ives was Dale Earnhardt Jr.‘s crew chief on the No. 88 from 2015 through 2017, winning three races. Earlier, he was an engineer on Jimmie Johnson‘s No. 48 team during its five straight championships from 2006 to 2010. He also led Chase Elliott to the 2014 Xfinity Series title at JR Motorsports.
Why Ives Stepped Away
Ives left full-time crew chief duties after the 2022 season to spend more time with his wife and three children. He stayed with Hendrick in its competition department and worked on projects including the team’s Garage 56 entry at the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans.
He has also been loosely connected to JR Motorsports’ part-time No. 40 entry for the Daytona 500, which is a separate possibility.
Bowman’s Final Full-Time Year
Bowman announced in July that he will step away from full-time Cup racing after 2027. After a winless 2026, he said he is “excited for 2027.” A reunion with Ives would put a familiar face on the pit box for his last season.
Hendrick has not commented on who will lead the No. 48 next year.
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