As you’ve no doubt heard, Kyle Larson talked his way out of a ride earlier this week, being released from Chip Ganassi Racing. While Nascar (and the entire sports world) has ground to a halt due to COVID-19, once the sport DOES restart, who will be driving the 42 Chevy? Let’s see who it could be:
ROSS CHASTAIN Pros: Already has a contract with Ganassi. Has shown he can compete in top-flight equipment. The cross-promotional opportunities with Gallagher just write themselves. Cons: Could still have contractual obligations to the 77 team. Might look bad to be “stealing back” Ryan Newman’s substitute driver. The last thing we want is to hear his story hammered into our heads even MORE (hE’s A fArMeR). ODDS—3:1
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| Only known photo of Lyle Karson |
JAMIE MCMURRAY Pros: Has familiarity with the Ganassi team. Seems to be well-liked by the current sponsors. Hair is ALWAYS on-point. Cons: Wasn’t exactly lighting the Nascar world on fire in his last years. Would be a short-term replacement and nothing more. Works for Fox, and there’s no way they’d allow such a blatant display of conflict of interest. ODDS—4:1
RANDOM SUBSTITUTE DRIVER #387 Pros: Would come cheap. Likely would go out of the way to avoid “rocking the boat”. Variety is the spice of life (Casey Mears? Regan Smith? Who knows!). Cons: Could wind up being Sam Hornish. Virtually every available substitute has already raced for Ganassi at some point. Could wind up being David Stremme. ODDS—25:1
LYLE KARSON Pros: Loads of potential. Excellent car control when racing the high side. Eager to work. Cons: No idea where he came form. Accent seems really fake. Mustache keeps falling off. ODDS—100:1