Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

I would have to agree we won't see it for a while-----possibly until he retires.  Also worth noting, he did not sign a huge contract with Hendrick. He kinda took what was offered if I read it correctly.  Some reports were $5 or $6 million per year?   By the time you get done with taxes, etc., you're at half of that.  If he wants to chuck money at an Outlaw team, fine.  But I don't see it happening----doesn't make financial sense.  

I would have to agree we won't see it for a while-----possibly until he retires.  Also worth noting, he did not sign a huge contract with Hendrick. He kinda took what was offered if I read it correctly.  Some reports were $5 or $6 million per year?   By the time you get done with taxes, etc., you're at half of that.  If he wants to chuck money at an Outlaw team, fine.  But I don't see it happening----doesn't make financial sense.  

I saw the same type of reports and I believe that it potentially could be $5-$6 million based on performace & results. Now granted based on his performance and results he probably will or come close to maxing out the contract this year and Hendrick will resign him again. The question is for how long and if any of the sponsors comeback. Some have started too and I think his actions on and off the track will continue to make them keep coming back. The biggest thing that I think has helped him other than his performance on the track is the way he handled the situation. He didn't throw a fit like a lot of people did over the situation nor did he complain about the punishment. He stood up admitted his mistake and did something about it to show everyone his character instead of making excuses. The work he did and did not post anything about it added a level of authenticity that he was geniune about helping, and not just doing it to get a job back.

I can see the WoO team starting again maybe in 5 or so years down the road if there is a racer that he likes needs a ride.

I have read that Hendrick has numerous sponsorship offers for the #5. The quote I saw from him stated that they "weren't enough". His present sponsorship from HendrickCars.com is divided equally between all Hendrick owned auto dealerships and the cost of that has been increased "a few times" over this year and the General Managers of the stores keep agreeing to pay for the sponsorship. Valvoline is on for I think two more times this year (including Bristol Night Race). Not sure about Freightliner. Sponsorship is not an issue. I think its fairly safe to say that Larson will be back in the #5 in 2022 and hopefully years beyond. He has a strong supporter in Jeff Gordon. As you said, he handled the entire situation with maturity and grace. He admitted it. He owned it. And during his time away from NASCAR, he went above and beyond what was expected of him and continues to do so today. 

No doubt he has practiced wokeism above and beyond the call of duty. He is also the victim of corporate wokeism. There must be several possible full season sponsors chomping at the bit to have a mixed race driver in the top 10 if not leading or winning week in week out. But they are afraid of a possible backlash. Hopefully next year that fear will have subsided, especially if Wallace would speak up for him moreso than he has done. In any event I am on the side of the punishment did not fit the crime. Thank God for Rick Hendrick.