Kyle Larson officially returning to NASCAR, will drive No. 5 car for Hendrick Motorsports in 2021

Kyle Larson is officially returning to NASCAR competition in 2021, and he will drive the No. 5 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, the team announced Wednesday. Larson signed a multi-year deal to join the four-car team, and Cliff Daniels will serve as his crew chief.

This marks the latest change for Hendrick next season. Alex Bowman, currently driving the No. 88 Chevrolet, will switch to the No. 48 car, replacing seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson, who’s retiring from full-time NASCAR at the end of the 2020 season. In addition to Bowman, Larson’s future teammates will be Chase Elliott and William Byron.

Bowman’s current crew chief, Greg Ives, will join him with the 48 team, allowing Daniels, Johnson’s current crew chief, to take over the new No. 5 team. And Hendrick Motorsports noted that it will no longer field the No. 88 car, an iconic number once driven by Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Entering the 2020 season, Larson was considered the top upcoming free agent. During a streamed iRacing event in April, the now-28-year-old driver said the N-word, and he was fired by Chip Ganassi Racing and suspended by NASCAR.

Earlier this month, Larson published an essay acknowledging there was zero excuse for his ignorance about the harm the racist slur causes and said he was “rightly suspended.” He also explained how he’s spent the last several months participating in various diversity programs to educate himself while also helping to create opportunities for Black people and people of color in racing, a mostly white sport.

More via a statement released by the team:

“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.

“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.”

The team also said the No. 5 — last fielded by HMS in 2017— is currently unsponsored for 2021.

Larson’s most recent NASCAR race was the 2020 Fan Shield 500 in March at Phoenix Raceway, which took place prior to the sport’s hiatus because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 season will mark his seventh full-time year in the Cup Series, NASCAR’s highest level.

On October 19, NASCAR announced that he was reinstated and can return to NASCAR-related activities at the start of 2021. NASCAR said in a statement about Larson’s return:

“NASCAR continues to prioritize diversity and inclusion across our sport. Kyle Larson has fulfilled the requirements set by NASCAR, and has taken several voluntary measures, to better educate himself so that he can use his platform to help bridge the divide in our country. Larson’s indefinite suspension has been lifted. Under the terms of his reinstatement, he will be cleared to return to all NASCAR racing activities effective January 1, 2021.”

In Hendrick Motorsports’ statement, team owner Rick Hendrick described Larson as “unquestionably one of the most talented race car drivers in the world,” adding:

“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.”

Larson’s first race for Hendrick Motorsports will be the season-opening Daytona 500 in February.