Report: Kyle Larson leading candidate to replace Jimmie Johnson at Hendrick Motorsports

Kyle Larson has been tearing up the dirt racing world since his suspension from NASCAR in April. While many have speculated he would not return for the 2021 season, Larson might be on his way to rejoining NASCAR with a top organization.

According to The Athletic’s Jordan Bianchi, Larson is viewed as the leading candidate to replace Jimmie Johnson at Hendrick Motorsports in 2021.

While it does not mean he will take over the famed No. 48 car, it indicates Larson may replace a NASCAR legend after all of the controversies since his suspension.

Why would Hendrick Motorsports pick Larson?

If Hendrick Motorsports decided to sign Larson, it would be met with a tremendous PR hit. With other options such as Erik Jones and Bubba Wallace available, it could be argued that there are easier targets. However, the 28-year-old from Elk Grove, Calif., has the talent that no current free agent can replicate.

Jones and Wallace have their appeals, but Wallace might be headed to Gaunt Brothers Racing. If the move happens, it leaves Jones as the easy plug-in driver. However, Jones has struggled at Joe Gibbs Racing. That team's equipment has been better than Hendrick Motorsports, but it hasn’t translated to playoff success for the 24-year-old driver.

With no sponsorship, Jones hasn’t shown enough to land the ride. Larson is the only driver who contains the abilities to mask the sponsorship concerns. He has six wins with Chip Ganassi Racing, which is typically viewed as having mid-tier equipment. Outside of the controversy surrounding him, many view Larson’s skills as a once-in-a-generation talent.

How would this work with Chevrolet dropping him?

Chevrolet terminated its relationship with Larson due to his iRacing incident in April. This does not mean he's forbidden from driving for the team again. In fact, if there is an owner who can convince Chevrolet to let Larson drive for it, it’s Rick Hendrick.

If Hendrick really wants him, it would be hard to say no to one of the sport’s most prominent figures.

It seems unlikely that Ally would want to tag along with Larson if he were to come to Hendrick Motorsports due to its emphasis on diversity. Perhaps the easier solution would be sliding over Alex Bowman or William Byron into the No. 48, with Ally and giving Larson the vacant seat. Larson could bring sponsorship with him to Hendrick Motorsports, or Hendrick could fund it out of his pockets. Eventually, Larson could gain sponsorships if he runs at the level people think he can. Winning solves a lot of issues.

Larson’s potential reinstatement shouldn’t be an issue. Once he formally asks to be reinstated, the process will be quick. He completed his sensitivity training for NASCAR and has been trying to learn from his mistake behind the scenes. After the 2020 season, Larson will have served a 32-race suspension.

The bottom line

Hendrick Motorsports needs to figure out what it is doing for the future. Hiring the wrong driver to replace seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson could set the team back for years to come.

Hendrick knows it needs to make a splash this offseason. The team cannot remain complacent and settle for a driver who does not fit. The driver needs to be cheap, talented and compete for a championship right away.

Kyle Larson checks off what Hendrick Motorsports needs to return to dominant form, and it might believe that too.