With the news breaking a week ago about Dale Earnhardt Jr. calling it quits after the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Season is over, everybody wants to know who will be filling the seat of the number 88. Many options are out there to choose from for Rick Hendrick, so the process will take some time. Let’s take a look at some possible replacements for the 14-time most popular driver.
Greg Biffle
This wouldn’t be a long-term option given his age, but Biffle is currently a free agent in NASCAR. The 15-year veteran who spent his entire career at Roush-Fenway Racing, announced at the end of last year that he would not be returning to the organization. In his tenure at RFR, Biffle found himself in victory lane 19 times to go along with many top-5s and top-10s.
Bringing Biffle on could be something similar Rich Hendrick did almost a decade ago. Kyle Busch left Hendrick Motorsports for Joe Gibbs Racing after the 2007 NASCAR season was complete. After a year, Hendrick was looking to fill that seat with a more established driver. The Hall of Fame car owner called on 50 year old Mark Martin to do just that for a few years.
Biffle says he still has love and a passion to race, but is taking time off for better opportunities to arise. What better opportunity than an organization that has won eight of the past sixteen championships?
William Byron
The 19 year old phenom is in a good position to become a full time driver in NASCARs premier series very soon. Byron tore the Camping World Truck Series circuit up in 2016. He went on to win seven races and finish fifth in the standings.
Now in 2017, Byron has a full time ride in the Xfinity Series for JR Motorsports. In eight races so far, the pilot of the number 7 Liberty University Chevrolet has posted two Top-5s and five Top-10s. Adding Byron to the 88 team would mean HMS has two drivers under the age of 24. While not the same age at the time, that gives the feel of Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson in the early 2000s.
Matt Kenseth
The 2003 NASCAR Champion is an interesting name, but it could happen. Kenseth’s contract with JGR is up after this season, and no extension has been agreed upon yet. A 20-year veteran in NASCARs premier series, Kenseth has all the tools to thrive in the 88.
In his career with both RFR and JGR, Kenseth has tallied 38 wins and doesn’t look to be stopping anytime soon. After coming over to JGR five years ago, Kenseth has won 14 of those races and came close to winning another championship in 2013 where he finished second in the standings.
Brad Keselowski
Like Kenseth, Keselowski’s contract expires after the 2017 season. While this may be a long shot because of the success he has had with Penske Racing over the past eight years, this deal could’ve happened a long time ago.
Keselowski raced for JRM in 2008 and 2009. After amassing six wins in that timeframe, many organizations came flocking to sign the young Keselowski. There just wasn’t any room at HMS since owners could only have four full time cars each season. Keselowski signed with Penske and the rest was history. Brad K went on to win a championship in 2012, and hasn’t looked back.
Alex Bowman
When Dale Jr. was diagnosed with a concussion at Michigan International Speedway last June that would end his season, Alex Bowman and Jeff Gordon were called upon to fill the seat for the time being. Bowman had a lot of success and showed what he could do when in great equipment.
Beginning in 2014, Bowman raced full time in NASCARs Premier Series for BK Racing. While not apart of the best equipment there, Bowman’s best finish was 13th at Daytona that year. When called on to fill the Juniors seat part time, Bowman didn’t relinquish the opportunity.
In 10 races while subbing, Bowman had three Top-10s and a pole. He was in a lot of races that could’ve ultimately ended with him being in victory lane. At just 24 years-old, adding Bowman to the 88 seat makes the most sense.
