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NASCAR: Early Silly Season Driver Lineup for 2018

By Asher Fair

SPARTA, KENTUCKY - JULY 08: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 Nationwide Children's Hospital Chevrolet, races during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 presented by Advance Auto Parts at Kentucky Speedway on July 8, 2017 in Sparta, Kentucky. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images)
SPARTA, KENTUCKY - JULY 08: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 Nationwide Children's Hospital Chevrolet, races during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 presented by Advance Auto Parts at Kentucky Speedway on July 8, 2017 in Sparta, Kentucky. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images) /
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DAYTONA BEACH, FL – JULY 01: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 Nationwide Chevrolet, races during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 59th Annual Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola at Daytona International Speedway on July 1, 2017 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images)
DAYTONA BEACH, FL – JULY 01: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 Nationwide Chevrolet, races during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 59th Annual Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola at Daytona International Speedway on July 1, 2017 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images) /

Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet

WILLIAM BYRON. #5. While the primary focus for Hendrick Motorsports is on replacing Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the #88 car, the #5 car’s seat may be available too with Kasey Kahne, the car’s current driver, struggling and losing sponsors. William Byron is the best young driver currently not in the Cup Series. He is in the mix to win this year’s Xfinity Series championship for JR Motorsports and will definitely be in the mix for a full-time ride in the Cup Series in 2018 because of it.. Hendrick Motorsports. Chevrolet

Chase Elliott just signed a contract extension with Hendrick Motorsports through the 2022 season. He’s still trying to get the #24 car back to Victory Lane for the first time since Jeff Gordon did it in 2015. Once he finally “gets the monkey off his back”, look out.. Hendrick Motorsports. Chevrolet. CHASE ELLIOTT. #24

Chevrolet. JIMMIE JOHNSON. #48. Like Chase Elliott, Jimmie Johnson also signed a contract extension with Hendrick Motorsports, with his lasting through the 2020 season. Even if he could at this point, would the seven-time and defending NASCAR champion really leave the team he won seven championships driving for?. Hendrick Motorsports

#88. This is the car that everyone has been talking about. Dale Earnhardt Jr. announced his retirement in late April, and fans have been speculating as to who will take over behind the wheel of the #88 car ever since. Alex Bowman is the go-to guy. He was solid in his substitution role for Earnhardt Jr. last season, finishing in the top 10 three times in 10 races with a top finish of 6th place at Phoenix where he almost won from the pole position. He also currently has an association with Hendrick Motorsports as a test/simulator driver, so that plays to his advantage.. Hendrick Motorsports. Chevrolet. ALEX BOWMAN

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