Rick Hendrick
FILE - In this Sunday, May 17, 2020, file photo, Jimmie Johnson (48) and Alex Bowman (88) come down a straightaway during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race in Darlington, S.C. The most coveted seat in NASCAR went to Alex Bowman in a Hendrick Motorsports lineup shuffle to replace seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson in the iconic No. 48 Chevrolet. Bowman and crew chief Greg Ives will move from the No. 88 into Johnson's ride at the end of the season. The swap announced Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020, makes Bowman just the second driver of the team created in 2001 specifically for Johnson.(AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File
Bowman looks to establish his own legacy in iconic No. 48

By Jenna Fryer Oct. 07, 2020 02:33 AM EDT

Alex Bowman, left, Chase Elliott, center, and Denny Hamlin listen to the national anthem before the NASCAR Cup Series auto race Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, in Bristol, Tenn. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Alex Bowman shuffled to the No. 48 to replace Jimmie Johnson

By Jenna Fryer Oct. 06, 2020 03:46 PM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 9, 2020, file photo, Erik Jones celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Busch Clash auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. The pandemic only accelerated the inevitable: The driver market bubble, pushed to its limit with multi-million dollar salaries for nearly two decades, is about to burst. A major reset has arrived and team owners have all the power. They can pick and choose between drivers who bring sponsorship dollars (Bubba Wallace) or drivers who have won races (Erik Jones). (AP Photo/John Raoux, FIlre)
NASCAR Cup Series at Daytona

Sep. 21, 2020 09:35 PM EDT

Alex Bowman, left, Chase Elliott, center, and Denny Hamlin listen to the national anthem before the NASCAR Cup Series auto race Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, in Bristol, Tenn. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Column: NASCAR's dizzying silly season will change landscape

By Jenna Fryer Sep. 21, 2020 09:34 PM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 16, 2020 file photo Jimmie Johnson climbs intp his car before the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. NASCAR seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson will test an Indy car next week on the road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He’s long said he is open to racing in the series but did not want to compete on ovals out of safety concerns. On Friday, July 3, 2020, he indicated recent safety improvements have softened his stance and the Indianapolis 500 is not entirely out of the picture.(AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
Jimmie Johnson 1st NASCAR driver to test positive for virus

By Jenna Fryer Jul. 03, 2020 03:22 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 2, 2016, file photo, empty grandstands are shown at Darlington Raceway after bad weather forced NSACAR to call off Friday, Sept. 2, 2016, in Darlington, S.C. Bad weather forced NASCAR to call off qualifying for the Sprint Cup and XFinity series auto races. NASCAR will have a much different feel when it resumes this weekend as the two-man broadcast team for Fox will not travel to Darlington Raceway and instead call the race from a studio in Charlotte.(AP Photo/Terry Renna, File)
NASCAR picks up at tricky Darlington after 10-week hiatus

By Jenna Fryer May. 16, 2020 02:08 PM EDT

FILE - In this July 20, 2018, file photo, NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Larson signs an autograph for a fan wearing a Martin Truex Jr. shirt before auto racing practice at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, N.H. Kyle Larson was fired Tuesday, April 14, 2020, by Chip Ganassi Racing, a day after nearly every one of his sponsors dropped the star driver for using a racial slur during a live stream of a virtual race. Larson, in his seventh Cup season with Ganassi and considered the top free agent in NASCAR mere weeks ago, is now stunningly out of a job in what could ultimately be an eight-figure blunder by the star. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm, File)
NASCAR's Larson fired after sponsors walk over N-word slur

By Jenna Fryer Apr. 14, 2020 11:15 AM EDT

FILE - In this Monday, Nov. 4, 2019, file photo, Penske Corporation Chairman Roger Penske responds to a question during a press conference at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis. The Indianapolis 500 scheduled for May 24 has been postponed until August because of the coronavirus pandemic and won't run on Memorial Day weekend for the first time since 1946. The race will instead be held Aug. 23. It was an inevitable decision but still had to be difficult for Roger Penske. (AP Photo/AJ Mast, File)
In The Pits: iRacing is fun but won't carry teams for long

By Jenna Fryer Mar. 30, 2020 04:38 PM EDT

Joey Logano celebrates in Victory Lane after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Phoenix Raceway, Sunday, March 8, 2020, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)
IN THE PITS: NASCAR off to fast start through first month

By Jenna Fryer Mar. 09, 2020 03:47 PM EDT

Alex Bowman drives to Victory Lane with the checkered flag after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, March 1, 2020 in Fontana, Calif. (AP Photo/Will Lester)
IN THE PITS: Bowman makes case to keep his Hendrick ride

By Jenna Fryer Mar. 02, 2020 02:26 PM EST

Noah Gragson (9) celebrates on the roof of his car at the finish line after winning a NASCAR Xfinity series auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Noah Gragson gives Earnhardt another win at Daytona

By Jenna Fryer Feb. 15, 2020 05:36 PM EST

Jimmie Johnson, right, talks with a crew member in his garage after a practice session for the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Friday, Feb. 14, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Johnson 'energized' for likely final Daytona 500 start

By Dan Gelston Feb. 15, 2020 02:22 PM EST

Brad Keselowski, left, and Jimmie Johnson talk between interviews during NASCAR Daytona 500 auto racing media day at Daytona International Speedway, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
DAYTONA NOTEBOOK: Jimmie Johnson mulls his 2021 options

By Dan Gelston Feb. 12, 2020 05:20 PM EST

Erik Jones (20) gets a push from Denny Hamlin (11) to help him pull away from other cars on the final lap to win the NASCAR Busch Clash auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Darryl Graham)
Column: NASCAR has wild first 48 hours of Speedweeks

By Jenna Fryer Feb. 10, 2020 02:49 PM EST

Jimmie Johnson waves to fans during introductions for the NASCAR Busch Clash auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
Keselowski plays repair man in rush to fix Daytona 500 car

By Dan Gelston Feb. 09, 2020 04:30 PM EST

FILE - In this Feb. 13, 2019, file photo, driver Jimmie Johnson smiles during media day for the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. As he prepares for his final season of full-time racing, the most accomplished driver of his generation has changed his mindset. “I’m not chasing anything,” said Johnson, who is determined to enjoy his 19th and final Cup season. (AP Photo/Terry Renna, File)
Johnson drops "Chasing 8" motto before final NASCAR season

By Jenna Fryer Feb. 07, 2020 01:52 PM EST

FILE - In this Nov. 17, 2019, file photo, Kyle Busch, center, holds up his trophy in Victory Lane after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto racing season championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Fla. NASCAR's season officially opens Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, with the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. (AP Photo/Terry Renna, File)
Change looming as NASCAR season arrives with Daytona 500

By Jenna Fryer Feb. 03, 2020 03:28 PM EST

FILE - In this Jan. 30, 2011, file photo, car owners Felix Sabates, left, and Chip Ganassi hold a guitar trophy after winning the Grand Am Rolex 24 hour auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Felix Sabates is leaving NASCAR after 30 years as a team owner. His record shows 50 Cup wins, including victories at the crown jewels Daytona 500, Brickyard 400 and NASCAR's All-Star race. He also coaxed Ganassi into sports car racing and the IMSA teams won 64 races and seven series championships. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
AP Exclusive: Felix Sabates to retire from NASCAR ownership

Jenna Fryer Dec. 12, 2019 11:18 AM EST

Jimmie Johnson answers a reporter's question during his retirement announcement from NASCAR at a news conference near Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Johnson ready to end NASCAR grind and move on with life

By Jenna Fryer Nov. 21, 2019 05:18 PM EST

FILE - In this July 29, 2016, file photo, racing legend Richard Petty, right, stands with Jimmie Johnson (48) in the garage area of Pocono Raceway during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pennsylvania 400 auto race in Long Pond, Pa. Seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson says 2020 will be his final season of full-time racing. The winningest driver of his era will have a 19th season in the No. 48 Chevrolet and once again chase a record eighth championship. Johnson made the announcement in a video posted on social media, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Mel Evans, File)
7-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson to retire after 2020

By Jenna Fryer Nov. 20, 2019 01:01 PM EST