NASCAR: 5 possible Stewart-Haas Racing drivers for 2021
By Asher Fair
Possible 2021 Stewart-Haas Racing drivers: Kyle Larson
Kyle Larson’s NASCAR career may be over. But to say for certain — this early, no less — that he is just going to up and disappear after being fired by Chip Ganassi Racing due to the fact that his use of the N-word caused multiple losses of sponsorship deals would simply be ridiculous.
If it were up to Tony Stewart, Larson would already be driver of the #14 Ford, and he would be in his fourth season driving the #14 Ford after replacing Stewart when the three-time champion retired at the end of the 2016 season.
But that was not up to Stewart.
Stewart ended up naming Clint Bowyer his replacement for the 2017 season all the way back in September of 2015. Per the specifics of Larson’s contract with Chip Ganassi Racing at the time, he was unable to sign a deal with another team, even for more than a year down the road.
The #14 Ford is currently open for the 2021 season. Prior to his firing, Larson had been in a contract year and was considered to be one of the hottest pending free agents on the market. Stewart-Haas Racing had even been mentioned as a potential landing spot.
Assuming things are at least somewhat smoothed over in regard to his racial slur by the offseason, Stewart may get a second chance to sign the driver who, like himself, has an illustrious dirt track racing background. Would he pass up that chance?
But where would Stewart-Haas Racing turn if he is unavailable once again?