2021 NASCAR thread

All the chatter is Larson in the 48 or to HMS anyway. Guess the rumors of Denny buying a team backed by JGR and Michael Jordon and putting the pilot of the 43 in it must be happening. Rumors is that will be the 13 team as they are losing sponsorship. Ty will need a ride along with Jones and El Suarez.

I am starting to think Bubba might be in the 21 though. Seems like a Penske thing to do.

 

Bubba Wallace announced the Denny Hamlin / Michael Jordan team that he'll be driving for.

 

It's just a loophole for a 5th JGR team. More so than with the 78. I suspect these cars will roll out complete beside the 11,18,19 & 20.

 

And just like that. No one ever called or mentioned Brad Daugherty again.

 

I just don't see Larson going to the 48. He'll end up at SHR, in my opinion. Erik Jones may end up at HMS. I think they should retire the 48 for a while though. But they should have done that with the 24 and 88 too. The 5 and 25 haven't seen action for a while.

 

Rumors are that Hendrick will align back to the #'s he used to run so I expect everything to change except the 9 and probably the 24. I think the 48 & 88 will go back to the 5 and 25. As for Larson chances are it will be HMS. I know everyone wants him at SHR but the simple fact is that SHR does not have the sponsor horsepower that HMS has and SHR does not have the pull with Ford that Rick Hendrick has with Chevrolet. HMS can tell Chevrolet they are fielding Larson and they have the sponsor depth to do it. Could be wrong but my money is Larson will be with HMS. Plus Chevrolet does not want that talent in a Ford. Regardless of his mistake.

 

This makes sense, but Tony Stewart is also more of a "IDGAF" type owner. He wants success and there's no question the 4 is the class of the field right now. SHR used to be an afterthought team until Stewart took over. While Hendrick could pull it off, I just don't see them wanting the controversy. Stewart has a stable of drivers who are getting toward the end of their careers. I don't see Bowyer returning either.

 

Time will tell. While the 4 is the class of the field the other three cars SHR fields are not. Overall HMS is a more competitive organization with a lot more history and all signs that they are headed in the right direction. Everyone wants to think that Tony DGAF and mostly I agree but when it comes to running a team out of pocket until it starts to get wins and hence no one will care that the driver said the N word. HMS is much better suited to do that. I really don't see where Larson should be a controversial hire wherever he lands. He made a mistake, owned it and fulfilled all the requirements to put it behind him. At the end of the day drivers have been suspended for things like substance abuse, DUI and so on and all Kyle did was say a word that most everyone has said. Rick has a history of proving that point to people in hiring drivers that have made mistakes or don't fit the mold. I think he likes throwing it in the hypocritical peoples faces.

 

The 14 is on his way out, the 10 has shown talent, and the 41 is still a rookie so it isn't saying much.

Yes, but keep in mind he also fired Kyle Busch for some personality differences. But KB got 2x as many wins in his first season at JGR than his entire HMS career. Some drivers just need a change in scenery. I just don't see KL and HMS coming together. Especially after Chevrolet deliberately cut ties with Larson.

 

LOL, we will see. You have to remember Kyle Busch was cut loose to make room for Dale Jr. regardless of wins the financial gain of that move worked out well for HMS. JGR made a play for Jr also because it was no secret his dividends on merchandise alone made him a once in a generation driver for an organization. Kyle was also putting a car in the fence every weekend and HMS does not like building cars for every race. Pretty much the loser of the Dale Jr free for all got KB as a consolation. At this point all we have are opinions so I guess we will have to see how it plays out. You guys are betting with emotions though.

 

The last little HMS, Larson clue is that Jimmy when ask if he had a role in who the next driver will be for his ride made it a point to say he was consulted for his opinion but that he did not have any say over who that driver is. He did say that they do know who it is though. As he moves on it seems like he might be distancing himself from that as their will be some backlash in the decision from places like Indy where he intends to make a home. Ironically enough with CGR. Just my observation.

 

I wish HMS would hire Ty Dillon just to be a dick! LOL... I swear Ty is 10 times the wheel man that Austin is.

 

I couldn't agree more.

 

I was at Bristol a few years ago and was talking to Dale junior's PR man at the pre race festivities . He was in junior's wedding and was one of Dale seniors good friends . I asked him why Ty didnt drive for Papa and he said because he's smart , I left it at that .

 

He was, but I am not so sure the two were entirely planned together. And yes, I do recall that JGR made a play for him. Actually he did a podcast with Joe Gibbs and I believe JGR actually offered him more money than HMS did, but he was so shocked by it compared to DEI that he walked away to think about it, but then HMS spoke to him and he went that direction.

 

I've also heard, he wants to do it his way, not have a ride just gave to him from grandpa. I respect that.

 

All-Star race is moving to Texas next year. Its gonna be worse than Charlotte. On the other hand, the circuit of America, F1 track in Texas, will more than likely get a race.

 

I like Brad Daugherty.

Of all the available talent, I wonder why MJ's new team picked Bubba Wallace?

 

No, not really.

...I couldn't contain the sarcasm.

 

It was a little more like Jr had an appointment with HMS and Rick knew he would get him regardless. A lot of people forget that all those boys grew up at Rick Hendricks house hanging with little Ricky. JGR wanted to make an offer and wine and dine him so he accepted without Kelly knowing. Joe Gibbs took him to Sniders house where they offered him more money than he had ever thought of along with a small piece of the Redskins. Jr was a man of his word and said he still had to meet with HMS plus he had to run it by his sister. After doing so he met with Rick and Rick kept trying to show Jr a number and he refused to look at it. His sister who has always been his manager made the deal happen with Rick and told Jr he would be happy with it. Also Jr has a TON of brand loyalty to Chevrolet and has stated many times he would never drive for another manufacture regardless of the money.

I will admit that KB was done with HMS and vise a versa but Rick has said several times he dropped KB to make room for Jr. Could just be saving face but in the end I don't think HMS is sorry KB is gone. HMS would never put up with the things KB pulls. Some drivers just need a change, look at JL now opposed to when he was in the 20 with JGR.