NASCAR Cup Series: 3 possible Team Penske drivers for 2021

Brad Keselowski

The easiest and most likely scenario for Team Penske for the 2021 season would be bringing back Brad Keselowski. While there are rumors that he will replace retiring seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson at Hendrick Motorsports behind the wheel of the #48 Chevrolet, there are a few reasons this may not come to fruition.

First of all, Keselowski has won at least three races per season every year since 2016, and he is still in a good situation at Team Penske despite early-season talks of frustration. He is a perennial championship contender capable of winning anywhere.

Secondly, Team Penske and Discount Tire extended their relationship together in a multi-year agreement last August to continue sponsoring Keselowski, and Ally Financial is already lined up as the full-time sponsor of the #48 Chevrolet through 2023.

While Discount Tire’s official commitment is with Team Penske, their relationship with Keselowski is greater than it is with any of the organization’s other drivers.

Considering Keselowski would be covered sponsor-wise at Hendrick Motorsports with Ally Financial anyway, this shouldn’t be the be-all and end-all of a deal not going through, but it could play a role in it.

Thirdly, there were also rumors that Ryan Blaney would be on his way to Hendrick Motorsports to replace Johnson. We know how that turned out.

Finally, it seems like everybody under the sun has been rumored as Johnson’s replacement. Keselowski certainly fits the mold given his experience and skill, especially given that Rick Hendrick had been interested in him several years ago but simply didn’t have the opportunity to sign him.

But Mr. H has had multiple opportunities to sign the 36-year-old Rochester Hills, Michigan native since then, and he has not taken them. Would that really change in 2021?

Let’s say it does; who would Team Penske sign to replace Keselowski?