NASCAR: 4 possible numbers for the fourth Hendrick Motorsports car
Possible Hendrick Motorsports car numbers: #88
The final option that Hendrick Motorsports could use for their fourth car is the number 88. They could make no change and simply have their new driver come in and take over the number that Alex Bowman has used full-time since 2018.
This option would keep all four car numbers the same in 2021, making it easier to pick out all four Hendrick Motorsports cars on the track. But it may not be the best option.
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The number 88 was a number specifically run for Dale Earnhardt Jr. Since Hendrick Motorsports could not get the rights to the number 8 from Dale Earnhardt Incorporated, they got the rights for the number 88 from Yates Racing.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. drove the #88 Chevrolet from 2008 to 2017. In his 10 years in the car, he was able to score nine wins, including one in the 2014 Daytona 500.
During Earnhardt’s stint behind the wheel of the #88 Chevrolet, he suffered multiple concussions, and there were appearances made by Regan Smith, Alex Bowman and Jeff Gordon to fill in for him. This would be used as a stepping stone for Bowman as he earned the ride as Earnhardt’s replacement going into 2018.
Bowman has two wins in the #88 Chevrolet and will no longer be driving the car after 2020 with him being set to replace Jimmie Johnson behind the wheel of the #48 Chevrolet.
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The number 88 has had recent history with Hendrick Motorsports, but it would not be surprising if the team makes the move away from the number after 2020.