NASCAR: 3 possible landing spots for Kyle Larson in 2021
By Asher Fair
Hendrick Motorsports
If social media determined driver lineups, Kyle Larson would already be in line to replace seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson ahead of the 2021 season after he retires.
Johnson announced just days after the 2019 season ended that the 2020 season will be his 19th and final season as a full-time driver in the Cup Series and that it will feature his fourth and final attempt at becoming the first eight-time champion the sport has ever seen.
As a result, the #48 Chevrolet is open for the 2021 season.
Ally Financial already signed a three-year contract extension with Hendrick Motorsports to continue serving as the full-time primary sponsor of the #48 Chevrolet through the 2023 season, so Hendrick Motorsports are in a unique position of truly picking the driver who they feel is the best available to replace one of the all-time greats.
Larson could be that driver.
Larson already drives a Chevrolet, and he already drives for a team that receives support from Hendrick Motorsports. In fact, he hasn’t driven anything other than a Chevrolet in the Cup Series, and he hasn’t driven anything other than a Chevrolet in NASCAR since he won the 2012 K&N Pro Series East championship driving a Toyota for Rev Racing.
With that being said, Hendrick Motorsports have limited drivers from competing in other forms of racing in the past, and that could potentially prevent Larson from being willing to sign given how involved he is in motorsports, particularly dirt racing, outside of the Cup Series.