Kyle Larson to drive for Hendrick Motorsports in 2021 - Team Brings Back #5

Kyle Larson will become the driver of a Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet in 2021. This fills a vacancy left by 7 time Champion Jimmie Johnson. The successful dirt racer turned stock car driver is currently serving an indefinite suspension from NASCAR and a termination from Chip Ganassi Racing after the use of a racial slur during a broadcasted video game event earlier this year. The team announced today that they will transition the number 88 to number 5 moving forward.

[It was announced in October that Alex Bowman will officially replace Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 for the last 19 seasons at Hendrick beginning in 2021. Jimmie was said to have a large influence in the successor to the famed #48. Longtime Hendrick Motorsports sponsor Ally Bank will stay with the #48 team.]

Larson who was recently reinstated by NASCAR has completed the proper sensitivity training that is needed to return to his stock car career. He returned to his dirt racing past this summer and has won a historic amount of races this season. Since leaving NASCAR to serve his suspension, Larson has won 14 events in the Ollie's Bargain Outlet All-Star Circuit and he now owns 39 total dirt racing victories across all series in 2020.

The 28 year-old driver from Elk Grove California has 6 career wins in 223 Cup Series Starts.

Immediate news on sponsorship and contract length are not available at this time. Updates will be reflected on this page as they become available.