The return of Kyle Larson is one of the most anticipated moments as the 2021 NASCAR season kicks-off in February with the Daytona 500. Leading up to the start of the season and his pre-season work with the Hendrick Motorsports no. 5 team, sponsorship has been a major issue for Larson.

Hendrick Motorsports is yet to announce a primary sponsor for Larson’s no. 5 car. Now, in a move that hints at the future of the team, at least for the start of the team’s endeavors, a sponsorship announcement does not even seem to be on the horizon.

Kyle Larson’s no. 5 team merchandise recently surfaced online. It did not sport the name of a single sponsor. However, the amount of the color blue used in most of the merchandise suggests Hendrick cars.com would be the main sponsor.

Rick Hendrick to sponsor Larson’s car?

In other words, Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick himself seems like the sponsor for the no. 5 car for at least the first few races of the season.

The website which posted the merchandise online for fans to pre-order said that the team manufacturer asked them to take it off the website, but they later received confirmation from a vendor.

“We had to pull the first t-shirt per instruction by the manufacturer, but did get approval from another vendor (Checkered Flag) to go live with their t-shirts, hat, hoodie, etc.,” tweeted Racing USA.

Will Kyle Larson attract sponsors with a superb run?

If this is indeed the theme that Larson’s car and the team will sport initially, it would be quite unusual for a Hendrick Motorsports team to run a car without even one sponsor.

Of course, the merchandise and the colors only lead us to speculate, but nothing even seems close as far as a sponsor announcement for Larson goes.

A driver of Larson’s caliber might not have to wait long for sponsors, though. A few solid runs and race wins under his belt, and many leading brands could soon line-up to partner with the star owner and his star driver.

While the sponsor issue will take shape with time, there is no doubt that Larson will receive superior equipment to fight hard. The team is backing him and even re-branded the no. 88 team into the no. 5. This gives the 28-year-old a fresh start.

READ MORE – Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson, and Hendrick Teammates Reveal Their Favorite Christmas Movies