One of the most, if not the most, anticipated remaining domino in the NASCAR Cup Series silly season has fallen as Kyle Larson will move to Hendrick Motorsports for the 2021 season to fill out the team’s stable of four drivers. Hendrick Motorsports made the announcement on Wednesday, which also revealed that Larson will dust off the team’s iconic No. 5 for 2021.
For team owner Rick Hendrick, the chance to partner up with one of the most premium raw-talents in NASCAR today was too good of an opportunity to pass up.
“Kyle is unquestionably one of the most talented race car drivers in the world,” said Hendrick in a team release. “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.”
According to the team release from HMS, Larson will be teamed with crew chief Cliff Daniels, and the deal is described as ‘Multi-Year’.
Larson, who has been serving a suspension from NASCAR since April, after uttering a racial slur during an iRacing event, will officially be reinstated by the sanctioning body on January 1st, 2021.
The California-native states that he’s ready to show what he can do with a top-tier team, and that he will continue to grow as a person and learn from his past mistakes.
“Hendrick Motorsports is a championship organization that has set a high bar for performance and for how its drivers represent the team and its partners,” Larson said. “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.”
Now, the once budding NASCAR Cup star, turned outcast, is back yet again in formidable equipment at HMS.
In their announcement, HMS disclosed that the No. 5 car is currently unsponsored for the 2021 season.
Larson, 28, is a six-time winner in the NASCAR Cup Series, who had only driven for Chip Ganassi Racing in the sport up until his suspension and firing earlier in the year. This will be a fresh start, and a new lease on a NASCAR Cup Series career for the California-native.
