The silly season in NASCAR often paves the way for unconventional speculation. With the fate of the drivers hanging by a thread, the NASCAR community does not fail to spin their own set of speculative theories. While some ideas come to fruition, others fail to hold water and are dismissed from the scenario. It seems like the ongoing season was no exception.

Amid a mixture of on-track issues and a failure to make an impact in NASCAR’s elite series, many drivers are still searching for viable answers to their future, with some teetering on the brink of being replaced. For others, it’s only a matter of time before they regain their position as drivers in their own cars. Given these circumstances, it appears that Denny Hamlin may have shared such a perspective after the Bristol race.

Denny Hamlin makes bold speculation regarding the future of Hendrick Motorsports

It was just days back when the Joe Gibbs Racing veteran found himself in choppy waters. While all his team members were offered to extend their contract with the team, Hamlin found himself almost on the verge of facing the same fate as his former teammate Kyle Busch. It was also conjectured that the No.11 driver might leave JGR to join his own racing team, 23XI Racing.

However, the speculation failed to materialize as Team Boss Coach Gibbs himself appeared on an episode of ‘Actions Detrimental’ to clarify the situation and announce the extension of the contract with Hamlin. Nevertheless, NASCAR fans had hoped that the uncertainties of the ‘silly season’ might have come to an end. To everyone’s surprise, it was far from over, as Trackhouse Racing unveiled two new drivers for the upcoming season.

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As a result of this, on an episode of ‘Actions Detrimental,’ Denny Hamlin asserted that young talents like Zane Smith, who is Noah Gragson’s substitute, and Carson Hocevar, an emerging star in Jimmie Johnson’s camp, may soon be competing full-time in the Cup Series starting from the upcoming season. While Smith is set to be loaned out to Spire Motorsports by Trackhouse Racing, Hamlin also fueled speculation that, following a successful stint, Hocevar might make his way into the series through Spire Motorsports, which he considers a ‘feeder’ group for Hendrick Motorsports.

He expressed, “I don’t think there is any secret to Carson Hocevar going into the 77 car, Zane in the third car, Corey in the 7. So they have got some good young talent there that is ready to win probably, Dad wants to call them up. Dad being Trackhouse on one side and Hendrick on the other. They are ready to make a move.”

NASCAR fandom joins in to decide the fate of Carson Hocevar

If Hamlin’s words are taken into consideration and if Hocevar does hoard the probability of joining Hendrick Motorsports, the question that arises is: Who shall Hocevar replace in HMS? To this NASCAR enthusiasts seem to have found the perfect person that Hocevar can replace in the team, as commented under a post in Reddit.

Many believed, “INB4 we put Alex Bowman’s head on a spike.”

“Easily Bowman. We all know this lol. Unless Elliott decides he’s had enough, Bowman is gone. But I will say this though, if Ally wants to stick around, Bowman ain’t going anywhere!”

“Bowman about to die in this sub isn’t he.”

Others also added, “As far as Hendrick goes it’s Bowman, sorry he’s clearly behind the other 3.”

“Bowman…the only one not winning regularly right now.”

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With that being said, Hocevar has been granted the wish of driving the No.42 car for two more races in the playoffs, given his impeccable performance in his small outing in the Cup Series. Nevertheless, it is to be seen what is in store for these young drivers and whether they are able to make their headway into the Cup Series.