Five to watch: Possible candidates to drive No. 43 in 2021

Bubba Wallace and Richard Petty Motorsports announced Sept. 10 that the driver would not return to the team in 2021. This means RPM will turn to a new driver to pilot its iconic No. 43 Chevrolet. Read on to see five possible candidates to fill the seat.

Landon Cassill

Cassill has driven only part time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series this year after nine consecutive seasons in the NASCAR Cup Series. Cassill has piloted a variety of cars throughout his career, is smooth at the wheel and takes care of his equipment. Despite his nearly 500 starts in the NASCAR national series, he's just 31 years old.

Ty Dillon

Dillon is a longtime staple in the Chevrolet camp, having driven for Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and Germain Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series. Dillon's 2021 plans have not been announced, and there's already a relationship between RCR and RPM. This one feels natural.

Erik Jones

This would be an incredible add for Richard Petty. Jones is just 24 years old and already is in his fourth full-time Cup Series season. We know Jones is a free agent and will not return to the No. 20 Toyota next year, so his name will surface in nearly every job opening.

Corey LaJoie

Like Erik Jones, LaJoie already has announced he will not return to his current team (Go Fas Racing) in 2021. LaJoie has steadily improved the finishes of the No. 32 car over the last two years. Popular on social media for his #StackingPennies motto, LaJoie previously was a Richard Petty Motorsports development driver, so this would be a full-circle move of sorts.

Daniel Suarez

Suarez is another young, talented driver who will be on the move in 2021 after spending one year with Gaunt Brothers Racing. Remember, it wasn't that long ago -- 2019 -- when Suarez was in the running for a playoff spot at Stewart-Haas Racing. The 2016 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion has heaps of talent and could further develop a program that Bubba Wallace helped steady in his time there.