Who Will Replace Jr in the 88/25 Car?

DaBiff1618 said:
It's gonna be Bowman but don't sleep on Chris Buescher
Click to expand...
Not BUESCHER he doesn't have the personality.. it's terrible to be honest.. he looks so scared in front of a camera and he is boring .. he could never fill JR spot
 
Bowman bout won Pheonix last year. I remember him saying "break out this year or get a real job"... he gave the 88 a hell of a run filling in for jr and didn't do too shabby in the xfinity series... Byron is too young and not ready yet. I would like to see this be a break for a young driver who's never really had good equipment. We'll see.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I'm guessing the car number remains 88 and the ties between Dale and the team are maximized. I wouldn't be surprised to see Dale have an equity slice in the 88 team, like Jeff Gordon's equity in the 48.

Bowman did a really good job as a part-timer last summer/fall. I was a doubter about him, feeling that he had not done anything to earn the seat as a replacement driver. He performed much better than I expected him to, showing speed and confidence. Unless Larson can be enticed to HMS, which I doubt, I see Bowman to the 88, and William Byron to the 5 in 2019.
 
AdoubleU24 said:
The issue is Mr. H has basically already promised Bowman that he'd take care of him. Does that mean strictly as a test driver? Surely not.
Click to expand...
Alex said he turned down other full-time Cup opportunities to stick with HMS and do simulator/reserve duties. Jr. seems high on him. I would think there's some sort of understanding there that he'll get an opportunity in the near future. Not a big deal that will break the bank or anything, but something short-term while Byron develops and we learn more about the future plans for Jimmie and Kasey.

Regardless, it is strange to think that a few years ago HMS had three drivers around 40+ and never really had a proper development program in place like a lot of these other organizations do. As if they figured they could just go out and buy anyone they wanted as the elder statesmen retired. It's still difficult for me to see them picking up someone like Larson or Blaney considering they're really coming into their own with their organizations this season (with two other legendary owners), and in the case of Larson they may not be willing or able to afford other racing opportunities he'd be interested in.
 
In the interview Jr said when asked about the young drivers coming up he mentioned "Kyle Larson" first, I thought that was interesting. If Kyle L's contract is up this year I would not be surprised to see Hendrick go after him to fill the seat or try and buy his contract out from CGN.

The only thing I can see that would prevent this is Kyle L's statement of loyalty (on numerous occasions) to Chip for giving him the opportunity when others told him no.

I say it will be Bowman or Kyle L. JMHO
 
Buesher would need bring his own leftside springs.
 
AdoubleU24 said:
The issue is Mr. H has basically already promised Bowman that he'd take care of him. Does that mean strictly as a test driver? Surely not.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I got to agree with that. The mid day sirrius/xm show said Mr.H
is a man of his word and will keep it - how ever - performance will
need to be on a good trend. The show also said AB performed just as
well if not a bit better than JG did last year in the 88 though I have not
confirmed that yet.
 
I just dont see it in Bowman. I like the guy and think hes a decent driver but thats it. He definitely over performed in lower tier equipment and was ok in his 88 run but 1 pole doesnt really show me anything. He's like a poor mans Paul Menard in my opinion and I think HMS is above that. Feel like he thinks he's better than what he really is as well due to his relationship with Hendrick.
 
Simple Fan said:
I just dont see it in Bowman. I like the guy and think hes a decent driver but thats it. He definitely over performed in lower tier equipment and was ok in his 88 run but 1 pole doesnt really show me anything. He's like a poor mans Paul Menard in my opinion and I think HMS is above that. Feel like he thinks he's better than what he really is as well due to his relationship with Hendrick.
Click to expand...

Lol the kid almost won at Pheonix. Quite a few top 10s and more good runs with bad luck.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Simple Fan said:
He's like a poor mans Paul Menard
Click to expand...
i
 
Carl wouldn't be a fit with HMS.

Bowman, that's the only answer. Ran better than JR did last year in that car and dominated phoenix. Kid has proven he has the talent to eventually contend for wins in the cup series, with good equipment. Give it to him.
 
dgbullfrog said:
Larson wants a shot at Indy 500, so that could be another factor in regards to sticking with CGR.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Yep, and Ganassi lets him run up to 25 races a year outside of NASCAR. I'm not sure HMS would be willing to allow that.

Chip is the only guy who could put together a full package for Kyle when he was first trying to get into NASCAR. He didn't ask him to bring funding, he didn't ask him to stop racing on dirt, he had a plan to get him to Cup. There's obviously a feeling of gratitude from Kyle and he said he plans on being loyal to Chip. He also loves that, unlike many other owners in NASCAR, Chip has always made his living off of racing whether it be from driving or owning.

Something I found to be pretty interesting was the story of when Kyle had just won the USAC Four Crown Nationals and went on a tour speaking with a bunch of different Cup teams. He said he stopped by HMS and talked with Gordon in his office and wasn't so much of a Gordon fan afterwards because Jeff said he needed to get out of sprint cars because they teach you bad habits.

This was a very interesting listen and really says that a team is going to need to do a lot more than just write a bigger check to pry Kyle away from CGR. After listening to it myself it really seems like everyone missed the boat the first time around and they're going to pay the price for it for a very long time if Kyle keeps performing the way he is right now.
http://nascar.nbcsports.com/2016/09...do-something-but-need-a-half-million-dollars/
 
What does Rick Hendrick need 500k for? That's toilet paper to most of these billionaire car owners.

Maybe I just don't understand the business side of it.
 
FLRacingFan said:
Yep, and Ganassi lets him run up to 25 races a year outside of NASCAR. I'm not sure HMS would be willing to allow that.

Chip is the only guy who could put together a full package for Kyle when he was first trying to get into NASCAR. He didn't ask him to bring funding, he didn't ask him to stop racing on dirt, he had a plan to get him to Cup. There's obviously a feeling of gratitude from Kyle and he said he plans on being loyal to Chip. He also loves that, unlike many other owners in NASCAR, Chip has always made his living off of racing whether it be from driving or owning.

Something I found to be pretty interesting was the story of when Kyle had just won the USAC Four Crown Nationals and went on a tour speaking with a bunch of different Cup teams. He said he stopped by HMS and talked with Gordon in his office and wasn't so much of a Gordon fan afterwards because Jeff said he needed to get out of sprint cars because they teach you bad habits.

This was a very interesting listen and really says that a team is going to need to do a lot more than just write a bigger check to pry Kyle away from CGR. After listening to it myself it really seems like everyone missed the boat the first time around and they're going to pay the price for it for a very long time if Kyle keeps performing the way he is right now.
http://nascar.nbcsports.com/2016/09...do-something-but-need-a-half-million-dollars/
Click to expand...

Kyle is not going anywhere. Chip falls in love with his drivers IMHO and Kyle/Jaime duo are solid and Chip stands by his drivers. For any series, Chip will do anything and everything for any of his drivers.

Chip loves loyalty.
 
Simple Fan said:
Would like to see the 25 car return, as for who's in it im not sure. Dont really think Bowman is all that talented and I dont see it being him. If Larson is a free agent he makes the most sense. Will Byron wouldn't be a bad choice either.

Really think Jr Motorsports will have cup entries next year with maybe Elliott Sadler and Bowman being aligned with Hendrick. Kind of like the Furniture Row/Joe Gibbs partnership.
Click to expand...
The 25 car was for Rick's father. Sort of a test car with a majority of the sponsor dollars
going to the registered owners pension.
 
Keep it the 88, I personally like seeing the same cars every week at least at the top of the field. It makes it much easier to follow who is in what car and what's going on, especially now that they've taken the names off the windshields.
 
they should get google to sponsor and install a self driving system. a driverless car would be a great new gimmick for na$car.
 
Larson is extremely talented but there are plenty of other talented drivers Hendricks can pick from. Like that Erik Jones guy who is on loan at FRR and Ryan Blaney who's driving a satellite Penske car. Pretty sure a Hendrick chevy is a slight upgrade from that ride. That said, anyone who doesn't think Bowman has a load of talent is either blind or just trolling. Kid was top 5-10 car every race he was in the car and aside from mechanical failures ran cirles around Jeff and Dale Jr. In the same ride. Oh and he also won the pole at Phoenix and led 188 of 312 laps, yeah I don't think the kid is fast enough
 
Can Bowman attract, secure and hold sponsors?

That's Hendick's (Hendricks' for our special friends) dilemma. Money. It's the reason he made room in the inn.
 
If Hendrick does not put AB in that car their will be a he'll of domino effect
 
Ganassi is already losing target I think? So therefore if he lost Larson it could be bad news for that organization.
 
Got to agree that it seemed Dale was pushing Larson big time. I think Hendrick would allow him to continue to race outside of NASCAR. Kasey Kahne did.
 
sdj said:
In the interview Jr said when asked about the young drivers coming up he mentioned "Kyle Larson" first, I thought that was interesting. If Kyle L's contract is up this year I would not be surprised to see Hendrick go after him to fill the seat or try and buy his contract out from CGN.

The only thing I can see that would prevent this is Kyle L's statement of loyalty (on numerous occasions) to Chip for giving him the opportunity when others told him no.

I say it will be Bowman or Kyle L. JMHO
Click to expand...

Honestly, I think that Larson screwed himself with his statements of loyalty to Chip. IMO he is tied to Chip forever, or ends up looking bad. Larson to the 88 would be a game changer. Huge. Larson wheeling a Hendrick powered and tuned car? With those resources? H-O-L-Y S-H-I-T!
 
  • Like
Reactions: sdj
Revman said:
Honestly, I think that Larson screwed himself with his statements of loyalty to Chip. IMO he is tied to Chip forever, or ends up looking bad. Larson to the 88 would be a game changer. Huge. Larson wheeling a Hendrick powered and tuned car? With those resources? H-O-L-Y S-H-I-T!
Click to expand...

Love Dale Jr, but honestly his excitement is exciting. Imagine Jr's pull behind the scenes? His retirement may have more good than bad written all over it because it gives his seat away to new talent and Jr can use his knowledge and input behind the scenes as well to make the series even better.

Larson would be huge for HMS, but if I was CGR and knowing Chip, he's going to keep Larson no matter the cost at this point because he will be the hottest FA out there. We need drivers that are able to "even" driver distribution out, but Larson is staying at CGR unless they just fall off the face of the Earth.

I would give Byron two years in Xfinity and then finish his transition to Cup. I still say the best talented guy out there in John Hunter Nemechek, I would be oozing to sign him to JRM, he's too talented to just sit in the truck series.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom