NASCAR: Kyle Larson to return, signs with Hendrick Motorsports

Kyle Larson is set to return to the NASCAR Cup Series for the 2021 season on a multi-year deal, and he is set to do so driving the #5 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports.

Alex Bowman was confirmed as seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson’s replacement behind the wheel of the #48 Chevrolet for the 2021 season back in early October.

But Bowman already competes for the team behind the wheel of the #88 Chevrolet. As a result, Hendrick Motorsports still needed to confirm a true “replacement” for the seven-time champion in the team’s four-car lineup.

That replacement is slated to be Kyle Larson.

Larson has competed in 223 races over eight seasons and made six trips to victory lane, most recently at Dover International Speedway in October of last year.

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The 28-year-old Elk Grove, California native was fired by Chip Ganassi Racing back in April during what ended up being a 10-week hiatus caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Multiple sponsors cut ties with Larson after he used a racial slur during a virtual race in iRacing which was being live streamed on multiple Twitch channels, essentially forcing Chip Ganassi’s hand. Through four races of the 2020 season, he had sat in a seventh place tie in the championship standings with a top finish of fourth at Phoenix Raceway.

Larson, despite having also been indefinitely suspended by Chevrolet as a result of his mistake, is set to drive the #5 Chevrolet for the team, not the #88 Chevrolet, as a result of a number swap, something Hendrick Motorsports have done in the past. Hendrick Motorsports last used the #5 Chevrolet in the 2017 season when Kasey Kahne drove it.

After 2017, William Byron replaced Kahne, but he was placed behind the wheel of the #24 Chevrolet, which Chase Elliott had been driving as Jeff Gordon’s replacement after Gordon retired following the 2016 season. But instead of moving to the #5 Chevrolet, Elliott moved to the #9 Chevrolet, which hadn’t been a part of the team’s driver lineup.

The confirmation of Larson behind the wheel of the #5 Chevrolet on a multi-year deal comes after several months of him having been rumored to join Rick Hendrick’s organization.

Hendrick confirmed in early September that he had already picked out a fourth driver, but he felt that announcing him would have been a distraction for the team’s playoff drivers, and justifiably so, given why Larson was suspended and the teams in which we are living — coupled with, of course, the fact that he is set to replace one of the greatest drivers the sport has ever seen.

Larson only ended up applying for reinstatement from NASCAR in October despite the fact that he completed the required sensitivity training nearly immediately after he was suspended and lost his ride, but he had been able to communicate with teams about landing a 2021 ride before that request was approved.

He spent several months working on his personal growth and education outside of the public eye, which he recently addressed in an essay he published on his website.

Here is what Larson had to say about the opportunity to drive for Hendrick Motorsports in a team release.

"“Hendrick Motorsports is a championship organization that has set a high bar for performance and for how drivers represent the team and its partners. My goal is to win races, be a great teammate, continue my personal efforts to grow and hold myself to that high standard personally and professionally. Making the absolute most of this platform and the opportunity in front of me is my focus. I know what’s expected of me and what I expect of myself, on and off the track.“Mr. Hendrick is one of the people who extended a hand to me over the past six months. Our initial conversations were not about racing. He cares about me as a person and wants to see me succeed beyond driving. I can’t put into words how grateful I am for the commitment, the faith and the confidence from him and everyone at Hendrick Motorsports.”"

Here is what Hendrick had to add about bringing Larson on board.

"“Kyle is unquestionably one of the most talented race car drivers in the world. He has championship-level ability and will be a significant addition to our on-track program. More importantly, I have full confidence that he understands our expectations and will be a tremendous ambassador for our team, our partners and NASCAR. Kyle and I have had many, many conversations leading up to today’s announcement. I’m confident about what’s in his heart and his desire to be a champion in all aspects of his life and career. Kyle has done important work over the past six months and Hendrick Motorsports is going to support those continued efforts.”“I’m excited about our roster of young talent. We have a team that is built to win races and compete for championships for years to come.”"

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The addition of Larson gives Hendrick Motorsports a solid group of drivers no older than 28 years old moving into the 2021 season, which is scheduled to begin with the 63rd annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, February 14. Larson is 28, Bowman is 27, Elliott is 24 and Byron is 22.

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