NASCAR: 5 teams that could have different driver lineups in 2021

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Kyle Larson, Chip Ganassi Racing, NASCAR (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /

2021 driver lineup changes: Chip Ganassi Racing

Half of Chip Ganassi Racing’s two-car lineup is set moving forward, while there is speculation as to what may happen with the other half.

Kurt Busch, who signed with the team ahead of the 2019 season, signed a two-year contract extension last November to continue driving the #1 Chevrolet through the 2021 season.

But Kyle Larson, whose contract expired at the end of the 2020 season anyway, was fired in mid-April after using the N-word during a virtual NASCAR race on iRacing which was being live streamed on multiple Twitch channels.

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Even before that, he had been rumored as a possible replacement for Jimmie Johnson at Hendrick Motorsports or for one of the pending free agents at Stewart-Haas Racing.

Larson had been the subject of Chip Ganassi Racing departure rumors before this year, but nothing had even come of them. Now, when we least expected it, he is no longer an employee of the team. There is no doubt that the 27-year-old Elk Grove, California native wants to get back in NASCAR, and he does hold at least some loyalty toward team owner Chip Ganassi.

But the idea that he will be back behind the #42 Chevrolet anytime soon, if at all, is almost not worth entertaining at this point, even if he does manage to return to the sport in 2021. All signs point to a potential return coming with Stewart-Haas Racing.

Whether or not Chip Ganassi Racing keep Larson’s replacement, 2003 champion Matt Kenseth, for another season next year remains to be seen, but it is unlikely, given the fact that Kenseth is 48 years old and shown that he is past his prime after walking away from the sport twice already.

Ganassi has stated that he has a plan for Kaulig Racing Xfinity Series driver Ross Chastain, so if they do move on from Kenseth, expect it to be Chastain behind the wheel of the #42 Chevrolet next year.

If not, don’t rule out them selecting Front Row Motorsports’ John Hunter Nemechek, who, like Chastain, also has past ties to the team. Richard Petty Motorsports’ Bubba Wallace is also seen as an option, and don’t forget that Erik Jones is a free agent as well.

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What will the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series driver lineup look like? It could like quite different than this year’s. In total, just 11 of the 17 current Hendrick Motorsports, Stewart-Haas Racing, Team Penske, Joe Gibbs Racing and Chip Ganassi Racing drivers are under contract for next year after 16 of last year’s 17 stayed put for the 2020 season.

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