Kyle Larson will race for Hendrick Motorsports in the No. 5 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Cup Series starting next season, the team announced Wednesday (Oct. 28).
NASCAR recently reinstated Larson after he was suspended for using a racial slur in April. He previously drove for Chip Ganassi Racing in the No. 42 since 2014.
Cliff Daniels, who currently leads the No. 48, will be the crew chief of the No. 5 team.
Larson joins Alex Bowman (who’s piloting the No. 48 next year), William Byron and Chase Elliott in the Hendrick stable.
“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 in a team release. “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.”
Larson has six career Cup victories, 56 top fives and 101 top 10s.
The No. 5 returns for the first time since 2017, as the team will not field the No. 88 next year.
Joy joined Frontstretch in 2019 as a NASCAR DraftKings writer, expanding to news and iRacing coverage in 2020. She's currently an assistant editor and involved with photos, social media and news editing. A California native, Joy was raised watching motorsports and started watching NASCAR extensively in 2001. She earned her B.A. degree in Liberal Studies at California State University Bakersfield in 2010.
Good for Kyle! While what he said was not the correct choice of words he, did not deserve to loose his career over it. I am glad that sponsors and Chevy are giving him another chance and he definitely will have better equipment than when he was at CGR at the same time.
Welcome back and good luck. I haven’t seen any sponsorship announcements though, so this may be a HendrickCars type of deal.. I’ll try to patronize anyone willing to step up here.
Anyone who didn’t see this coming was in denial. Awesome to give him a 2nd chance for something that didn’t warrant the outrage it received. The drumroll will continue until we hear of a sponsor willing to step into the BS that might be lurking. Although I think most sane people will consider his punishment and time served enough given the “infraction”.
Let’s hope so. Forgiveness and compassion are way under-rated these days, it seems. Kudos to Hendrick, Chevy and Nascar for giving Larson a second chance.
interesting how he’ll be in a chevy. be interesting to see who sponsor(s) will be. i had heard all along the 88 was done racing.
The Hendrick team now has a powerful roster of young drivers that is set for the future. If results match their potential, Hendrick could be in for a renaissance.
Kyle shut down his Sprint team so I guess his dirt days are over.
“He cares about me as a person and wants to see me succeed beyond driving.”
Really? Then I guess it’s not about making a lot more money for Mr. H.
Eastman and Chevy.
I’m sure it’s a win-win situation. As it should be.
DoninAjax- I think that’s why they gave him the 5 . He can create his own identity. Been a long time since the 5 was on track. 88 will be tied to jr.
Just 4 seasons I believe.
I am happy to see the 5 back, was sad when Mr. H got rid of it. Grew up a T. Labonte fan.
I agree, glad to see the 5 car back. The 88 was an abomination that was necessitated by Jr’s arrival.
I agree. Good to see the 5 back.