Sport Hendrick Motorsports expected to change the No. 88 to No. 5?

22:06 16 october 2020

22:06 16 october 2020 Source: yardbarker.com

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When it was announced that Alex Bowman would move over to the No. 48 for the 2021 season, rumors began to circulate over the status of the fourth Hendrick Motorsports car. Several number changes have been rumored, such as Nos. 5, 25, 57 and 88. However, Hendrick Motorsports may have already made its decision.

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According to former NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr., Hendrick Motorsports may be changing the No. 88 car to the No. 5 car. Earnhardt Jr. brought the No. 88 there in 2008 and ran the number until his retirement in 2017.

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“It also opens up the door for them to bring in whoever their next driver is. That will feel out the No. 88, which I think is switching over to No. 5. That’s at least what I’ve been hearing,” said Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Erik Jones as the leading candidate to replace Bubba Wallace at Richard Petty Motorsports, leaving Kyle Larson as the lead driver to take over the fourth Hendrick Motorsports car in 2021. Here is why bringing the No. 5 back would be the right decision for the organization.

The history of the No. 5 with Hendrick Motorsports

The No. 5 car has been a staple of the Hendrick Motorsports brand since its debut in 1984. Geoff Bodine drove the car from 1984-89, accumulating seven wins. Ricky Rudd replaced Bodine from 1990-93. Rudd, one of NASCAR’s best road course drivers, won four races in his four-year stretch.

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One of the most successful runs of the No. 5 was Terry Labonte from ’94-2004. Labonte won one championship in 1996 and earned 12 wins throughout his tenure at Hendrick Motorsports. Once Labonte retired from full-time racing, Hendrick Motorsports pegged development driver Kyle Busch as his replacement. Busch won four races from 2005-07 before Hendrick Motorsports let the future superstar go. It was one of the biggest mistakes the team made.

Casey Mears drove the No. 5 for one year in 2008 when he finished 21st in the standings. Mark Martin replaced Mears after leaving Dale Earnhardt Inc. following the conclusion of the 2008 season. Martin won five races in his first year and finished second in the standings. Brad Keselowski was promised the No. 5 for the 2010 season, but Rick Hendrick broke his promise and brought Martin back.

Kasey Kahne took over the No. 5 in 2012 when Martin retired from full-time racing. Kahne won six races in the six years he drove there. After the 2017 season, it was announced that Hendrick Motorsports would change the numbers on the team. Chase Elliott’s No. 9 replaced Kahne’s No. 5, and it has not changed since.

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Kyle Larson must create his own brand and image

Kyle Larson has been experiencing one of the most difficult years of his life after being suspended due to an iRacing incident in April when he used a racial slur. Larson has been working to improve himself since the incident and even had an interview on “CBS This Morning” Friday morning. However, a return to NASCAR should be coming shortly.

Larson is the leading candidate for the fourth car at Hendrick Motorsports. It is only a matter of time before the news is announced, whether it is this week or after the season. The 28-year-old is one of the most talented drivers in the world and should be able to compete for championships right away. With Larson expected to stay with Hendrick Motorsports long term, a rebrand of the fourth car is in order.

“I think they’re going to change the number on the No. 88 and rebrand, relaunch that whole fourth team.” Dale Earnhardt Jr. said.

Larson started racing full-time for Chip Ganassi Racing in 2014 and gradually ran better each year up until his suspension. Chip Ganassi Racing does not have the type of equipment that Hendrick Motorsports runs, which means there is much more room for improvement. Larson was always due for an improved ride but not under these circumstances.

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As Larson rehabilitates his reputation, creating his own image is important. The No. 88 will always be Earnhardt Jr.’s car. Larson driving a new number with possibly new sponsors could establish his legacy in a rebranded car. A fresh start for Larson and Hendrick Motorsports would also bring new life to the team.

The bottom line

Hendrick Motorsports has a long line of history with the No. 5 car. With multiple wins and a championship, it is only right to bring back the number for Larson in 2021. The No. 88 will always be Dale Jr.’s number. He brought it to Hendrick Motorsports, and it is the perfect opportunity to make the change.

Larson should be at Hendrick Motorsports for the foreseeable future. Even though it will most likely be a one-year deal, giving Larson the opportunity to return in good equipment under these circumstances has the feel of a long-term relationship. The team would not jump through all of these hurdles with sponsorship and PR hits for this to be a one-year thing.

Earnhardt Jr. would not make the comment about his old number being changed if he did not have the inside track on it. If changing the No. 88 to No. 5 for Larson is what happens, it is certainly the right move for everyone involved.

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Kyle Larson signs with Hendrick Motorsports to drive No. 5 in 2021

Kyle Larson has signed a multiyear contract with Hendrick Motorsports to drive the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE beginning with the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season. The 28-year-old driver will be paired with crew chief Cliff Daniels, who will shift from the No. 48 Chevrolet currently driven by seven-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson […]“Hendrick Motorsports is a championship organization that has set a high bar for performance and for how 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.

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Related slideshow: The best racing movies (Provided by Yardbarker)

1/21 SLIDES © Paramount Pictures

The best racing movies

Most of us will never get in a race car. In fact, many of us never go more than 5 or 10 miles per hour over the speed limit. But racing actually films quite well, and that makes for some great sports movies with a lot of exciting action. Racing isn’t always done on an oval track either. Here are some of our favorite racing films ever. Hit the accelerator and get going!
2/21 SLIDES © 20th Century FOX

“Ford v. Ferrari” (2019)

“Ford v. Ferrari” didn’t just excite audiences. It also got a Best Picture nomination. Sure, many thought it was the least deserving of that group, but not because it wasn’t a good movie. It just felt like this film, starring Matt Damon and Christian Bale, was more of a solid drama than a Best Picture candidate. It is solid, though, and a true story to boot.
3/21 SLIDES © Universal

“The Fast and the Furious” (2001)

It may be hard to remember, but the “Fast and Furious” movies used to be about street racing. Then they became about Dwayne Johnson breaking a cast by flexing and insane action adventures. Before the series was making a ton of money and bringing in stars like Jason Statham, it began with Vin Diesel and Paul Walker going a quarter mile at a time.
4/21 SLIDES © Paramount

“Days of Thunder” (1990)

Prior to “Ford vs. Ferrari,” “Days of Thunder” was thought by many to be among the best dramatic auto racing movies. In the Tony Scott film, Tom Cruise plays Cole Trickle, a hotshot open-wheel racer who becomes a NASCAR driver. If you are a fan of NASCAR, this may be the best of these movies for you.
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“Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby” (2006)

If you want a comedic take on auto racing, “Talladega Nights” is the best you are going to get. That is, if you are into Will Ferrell’s particular brand of humor. This is another film where he plays a confident loudmouth idiot, and the comedy isn’t exactly subtle. That being said, there are a ton of laughs to be had in this film.
5/21 SLIDES © Columbia, Sony

“Cars” (2006)

What if race cars didn’t need drivers? What if they just drove themselves because they are alive. “Cars” is about a bunch of, well, cars who live in a world without humans. That includes some race cars like Lightning McQueen, voiced by Owen Wilson. The universe of “Cars” is weird, but it inspired two sequels for Pixar.
6/21 SLIDES © Pixar

“Breaking Away” (1979)

Hey, we said racing films, not auto racing films. There are many ways to race, including on bikes. Maybe you are irked by this, but we had to include “Breaking Away.” That’s because this is perhaps the best racing movie ever, and it’s a pretty solid coming of age film too.
7/21 SLIDES © 20th Century Fox

“The Cannonball Run” (1981)

Not all races happen on a track. Some of them happen in the streets. “Cannonball Run” is a comedy based on an actual cross-country race. It’s an ensemble action comedy not unlike the “Wacky Racer” cartoons but with real cars and real stunts.
8/21 SLIDES © 20th Century Fox

“Senna” (2010)

We are including only one documentary, but it had to be “Senna.” This film, about the late Brazilian race car driver Ayrton Senna, isn’t just considered one of the best sports documentaries of recent years. It’s also simply one of the best-received documentaries of the last decade or so. A truly gripping telling of Senna’s story.
9/21 SLIDES © Universal

“Rush” (2013)

In the United States, Formula 1 isn’t that popular. In the rest of the world, though, it’s far and wide the most popular version of auto racing. You may not know James Hunt or Niki Lauda. You may not know much about the 1976 Formula 1 season. In that case, watch “Rush.” If nothing else, it co-stars Chris Hemsworth.
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“Le Mans” (1971)

Steve McQueen loved racing. He even did some actual race car driving, even though, you know, he was one of the biggest movie stars in the world. Making “Le Mans” was basically a dream project for him. In addition to using actual footage from a 24 Hours of Le Mans race, some filming was done during a race as well.
10/21 SLIDES © Universal

“The Love Bug” (1968)

Most cars don’t get a series of movies. Herbie, the titular Love Bug, did. This is the first film about the sentient Volkswagen Beetle. It’s a very ‘60s car, and this is a very ‘60s movie. It’s also about the only time you will see a Beetle being used in auto races and having success. That’ll happen when you are a car with a mind of its own.
11/21 SLIDES © National General Pictures

“Grand Prix” (1966)

They have been making racing movies since the silent era, but this is the earliest film on our list. “Grand Prix” is an ensemble drama about a fictional Formula 1 season. The ostensible lead is James Garner, who is best known for starring in “The Rockford Files.” “Grand Prix” was well received critically and won three technical Oscars.
12/21 SLIDES © Disney

“Speed Racer” (2008)

The Wachowskis make insane movies. “The Matrix," for example, was a huge hit, but it’s also quite nuts. They indulge in excellent filmmaking and it’s not for everybody. That’s why “Speed Racer,” an acid trip of a film, was kind of a bust. It has its fans, though, because an insane-looking cotton candy movie based on an old Japanese cartoon is what some people really want.
13/21 SLIDES © MGM

“Logan Lucky” (2017)

The main characters in Steven Soderbergh’s film aren’t race car drivers. They are downtrodden people who are pulling off a heist. It’s a heist movie, through and through. So why does it make this list? Because the heist is happening during the Coca-Cola 600, one of the biggest NASCAR races of the year. We see a lot of auto racing, and six different NASCAR drivers had small cameo roles, not as drivers.
14/21 SLIDES © Warner Bros.

“Eat My Dust!” (1976)

Ron Howard directed “Rush,” and he stars in “Eat My Dust!” Is it a good movie? Not really, as it’s a cheap Roger Corman flick. However, it’s a notable piece of movie history in a way. Corman told Howard that if he was willing to star in “Eat My Dust!” he would let Howard direct and star in another movie. That movie became "Grand Theft Auto," and it was the first movie Howard ever directed.
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“Need for Speed” (2014)

After “Breaking Bad,” Aaron Paul was a rising star. One of his first chances to try out movie stardom was “Need for Speed.” Unfortunately, like most movies based on video games it was considered kind of a bust, even if it made a decent amount of money. Paul is good in it, and Michael Keaton has a role as well, but the movie was kind of shrugged off.
15/21 SLIDES © Bleecker Street

“Seabiscuit” (2003)

There is a lot of horsepower in most of these movie. Here’s a film with a horsepower of…one. We are sticking one horse racing film into the mix, and that one is “Seabiscuit.” It’s a feel-good biography about a beloved underdog horse with a name you probably have heard. If you are in the mood for a retro biopic with a little bit of sappiness to it, you can do a lot worse than “Seabiscuit.”
16/21 SLIDES © New World Pictures

“Rat Race” (2001)

“Rat Race” is basically a ripoff of “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.” Why does it make our list? Well, it has “race” in the title for one. Two, in “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World” there isn’t a real race, even if people are all striving to be the first to find a treasure. In “Rat Race,” there is an actual race going on. The slapstick comedy doesn’t always work, but it’s a decent enough comedy.
17/21 SLIDES © Touchstone/Dreamworks

“Death Race 2000” (1975)

“Death Race 2000” didn’t predict what the world would be like at the turn of the millennium, and we should all be thankful. This is another Roger Corman production, which means it’s lean, mean and not interested in being subtle. There is plenty of violence and a ton of schlock. There’s just a smidge of satire and comedy to it as well. Plus, it features acting from David Carradine and a pre-Rocky Balboa Sylvester Stallone.
18/21 SLIDES © Touchstone/Dreamworks

“Thunderbolt” (1995)

Are you aware that there is a racing movie that stars Jackie Chan. There is, and it’s this one. This Hong Kong action flick features Chan as a race car driver and, of course, as per usual he’s doing his own stunts. Well, not all of them. No, not because he was worried. Chan had hurt himself making “Rumble in the Bronx,” so he did only the stunts he was physically able to do, including plenty that involved his injured leg.
19/21 SLIDES © Paramount
20/21 SLIDES © New World Pictures
21/21 SLIDES © Golden Harvest

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