Retiring NASCAR drivers and the replacements
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At some point, each driver's career will come to an end and another driver will take their place. This year, it's Josh Berry signed to replace Kevin Harvick starting in 2024.
Scroll through to see some notable drivers who retired from NASCAR and their replacements who had the task of filling big shoes behind the wheel — like when Chase Elliott was next in line for Jeff Gordon in 2016.
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Bill Hall | Allsport
1993: Rick Wilson replaces Richard Petty
Three days before Richard Petty made his final Cup Series start, he named veteran driver Rick Wilson his replacement starting in 1993. Petty renumbered the car from the iconic No. 43 to No. 44.
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Chris Graythen | Getty Images
2006: Kurt Busch replaces Rusty Wallace
It took until August of 2005 for the soon-to-be retired Rusty Wallace’s replacement to be named for the 2006 Cup season. That driver was Kurt Busch, but with a twist. Busch originally agreed to a deal that started in 2007 when his contract with Roush Racing ended, but the two sides eventually agreed to have Busch join the No. 2 team in 2006.
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Robert Laberge | Getty Images
2008: Travis Kvapil replaces Ricky Rudd
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Travis Kvapil was called upon to fill the seat of the retiring Ricky Rudd starting with the 2008 season. This came at the same time team owner Robert Yates was retiring and handing over the ownership duties to his son Doug.
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Jonathan Ferrey | Getty Images
2016: Chase Elliott replaces Jeff Gordon
Chase Elliott was named the heir apparent to Jeff Gordon and the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet in January 2015. Elliott ran five races in a fifth Hendrick car during Gordon’s final season, in preparation for his rookie season in 2016.
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Sarah Crabill | Getty Images
2017: Clint Bowyer replaces Tony Stewart
Clint Bowyer spent the 2016 season driving for HScott Motorsports, before replacing the retiring Tony Stewart in the No. 14 car, starting in 2017.
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Daniel Shirey | Getty Images
2017: Daniel Suárez replaces Carl Edwards
The shocking and sudden retirement of championship contender Carl Edwards following the 2016 Cup season left a void in the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. Xfinity Series champion Daniel Suárez was promoted to the Cup Series to fill the seat.
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Jonathan Ferrey | Getty Images
2018: Alex Bowman replaces Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. announced in April 2017 that it would be his final Cup Series season. A few months later, it was made official that Alex Bowman, who made 10 starts subbing for an injured Earnhardt in 2016, would take over the No. 88 car after Earnhardt’s retirement.
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Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images
2021: Alex Bowman replaces Jimmie Johnson
Seven-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson’s final full season in 2020 was followed by some reshuffling at Hendrick Motorsports. Alex Bowman, driver of the No. 88 Chevrolet, moved over to the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet, starting in 2021.
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2021: Chase Briscoe replaces Clint Bowyer
Clint Bowyer seemingly surprised everyone when he announced in October 2020 that he would be retiring at season's end. Stewart-Haas Racing promoted its Xfinity Series star driver Chase Briscoe to the open seat.
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Grant Halverson | Getty Images
2024: Josh Berry replaces Kevin Harvick
News broke in January 2023 that it would be the final season of Kevin Harvick’s eventual Hall of Fame career. It took until June when his replacement, Xfinity Series star Josh Berry, was named the new driver of the No. 4 Stewart Haas Racing car, starting in 2024.