Five to Watch: Possible candidates to replace Jimmie Johnson

The upcoming 2020 season will be Jimmie Johnson’s final full-time year as driver of the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. The seven-time champion announced his decision last Wednesday, then discussed it in detail at a press conference the following day. In short: It just feels right for Johnson.

While we rightfully will spend the year honoring Johnson’s lasting legacy in the sport, before long it will be time for Hendrick Motorsports to fill the seat of the No. 48, one of the most iconic rides in NASCAR.

Here are five potential candidates to watch.

William Byron

We’ll start with another Hendrick driver. Byron, 21, took a leap in performance during his sophomore campaign in 2019 and of every driver in NASCAR, he may emulate Johnson the most. From his unquestioned ability to being a well-liked ambassador of the sport, even at a young age, Byron seems like Johnson 2.0. That he’s already in the Hendrick stable means sponsor Ally, which will sponsor every race on the No. 48 through 2023, could begin to build and strengthen a relationship.

Ryan Blaney

Blaney is a rising superstar, whose seventh place finish in the final standings last season marked his best career showing. A three-time winner at NASCAR’s top level, Blaney turns 26 in December and could give Hendrick a dynamic lineup full of young, uber-talented drivers. Another thought – Blaney is close with both Chase Elliott and Dale Earnhardt Jr., who have deep ties with Hendrick Motorsports and Chevrolet alike.

Erik Jones

Hendrick has dipped into the Toyota camp before for a prospect (hello, Byron). Would they do it again? If so, Jones, who re-signed with JGR on a one-year deal for 2020, makes sense. Martin Truex Jr., Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch all appear to be in the primes of their careers, and mega-talented Christopher Bell, a JGR prospect, is waiting in the wings at Leavine Family Racing.

Brad Keselowski

Anytime a ride opens at Hendrick, Keselowski's name likely will be attached. He was a prospect in the Hendrick camp years ago and, when Hendrick's stable was simply full, Keselowski accepted an offer to drive for Team Penske, where he's still at to this day. This would be a homecoming of sorts for another driver who is deeply connected to Earnhardt.

Kyle Larson

Perhaps the most exciting driver in the garage, Larson remains an elite-level talent any team would want to put in its cars. He has history with Chevrolet as a driver for Chip Ganassi Racing and, like Blaney, would give Hendrick Motorsports a young four-driver team poised to compete for championships over the next decade. Something to monitor: Would Larson's local grassroots dirt racing schedule hamper any possible discussions?