After Alex Bowman was internally transferred to Jimmie Johnson’s No. 48 car at Hendrick Motorsports, there has been a lot of buzz over the future of Bowman’s No. 88 car. While speculation continues over who the new driver of the 88 car will be, Dale Earnhardt Jr. has another big piece of information about the car.

A former driver of the No. 88, Earnhardt Jr. threw light into the possibility of the car’s number itself changing. Earnhardt says he heard the car could be the No. 5 as a new driver comes in. That could help the fourth team at Hendrick start from scratch with a new driver.

“It also opens up the door for them to bring in whoever their next driver is. That will feel out of the 88, which I think is switching over to No. 5,” Earnhardt Jr. said on the ‘Dale Jr. download’ podcast.

“That’s at least what I’ve been hearing. I’m not a journalist and a news breaker, but we do hear rumors and I think it’s fair to discuss them,” Earnhardt Jr. added.

Will Kyle Larson fill the vacant spot at Hendrick Motorsports?

One of the names associated with the vacant spot at Hendrick has been Kyle Larson. As soon as he officially applies for reinstatement into NASCAR and it comes through, Larson automatically becomes one of the most sought after drivers.

Earnhardt Jr. believes the No. 88 team will re-brand after the new driver comes in. Larson is a big favorite for the same.

“If Larson or whoever it is who’s coming over there to drive, I think they’re gonna change the number on that 88 car and re-brand or re-launch that whole fourth team,” Earnhardt Jr. said further.

The challenge for Bowman, as per Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Trending

Uncertain “Political Environment” Cause Kyle Busch and Richard Childress Racing to Take a Major Sponsorship Hit

April 18, 2024 05:43 AM EDT

Dale Jr Unmasks Teresa Earnhardt’s Refusal to Sell Him His Late Father’s Prized Possession That Forced Relocation Move

April 17, 2024 12:29 PM EDT

Dale Earnhardt Jr Believes Chase Elliott’s Nemesis From Last Season Is Very Close to Making Texas Whole Again

April 18, 2024 04:21 PM EDT

NASCAR Fans Sarcastically Mourn the Loss of Kyle Larson as Talladega Takes a Hilarious Dig at Taylor Swift’s ‘Leaked’ Album

April 19, 2024 04:46 AM EDT

“I Didn’t Know Where the Crash Was”: Kyle Busch Breaks Down the Late Move Between Ross Chastain and William Byron

April 19, 2024 02:13 AM EDT

Get instantly notified of the hottest NASCAR stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

Meanwhile, the officially soon-to-be NASCAR Hall of Famer feels the challenge for Bowman will be more of carrying on the legacy left behind by Johnson. The technicalities of driving the car won’t change much, but the pressure will be high for Bowman.

“Basically, they’re going to take his cars and change the decals. It’s not physically or too terribly challenging to re-decal or re-wrap the current cars that they’re using. He’s gonna stick with Crew Chief, and team, and everything,” Earnhardt Jr. believes.

“But the equity in the 48, the lineage, the history, all of that is real. He (Bowman) takes on that pressure to sort of, carry on the success of that car, the success of that number. He’s more responsible for making sure that they continue to win,” he further explained.

It will be interesting to see who the new driver of the vacant car is and if the number is changed. But the information, coming from Dale Earnhardt Jr., holds serious weight.

Chip Ganassi Racing Owner Reveals Conversation With Jimmie Johnson That Led to IndyCar Deal