The news of Bubba Wallace departure from Richard Petty Motorsports leaves the team to find a replacement for the No. 43 Chevrolet.
Wallace is set to cut ties with RPM after three years with the team as he announced that he won’t be returning to the team in 2021. Although Wallace, who was in his contract year, was offered a contract extension with RPM, but he decided to seek new challenges elsewhere.
This leaves RPM to find a new driver for the soon-to-be-vacant No. 43 seat. Speaking to Forbes, RPM owner Andrew Murstein said that he would have a heart to heart conversation with Kyle Larson to see if he fits the bills.
“There’s different options for us if we want to continue our drive for diversity. I’m looking at drivers like Hailie Deegan, coming up through the ranks. I would have a heart to heart with Kyle Larson to see if he’s worthy of a second chance.”
Larson is still indefinitely suspended by NASCAR. However, a number of people in the industry have been lobbying for his reinstatement. Larson returning to the Cup Series in the 2021 season seems possible more than ever right now.
In that case, RPM will have one more driver to look for their vacant seat.
[Read More: Driver suspended indefinitely by NASCAR]
Whoever can bring sponsors. Celebrate the Fact that Wallace is Gone!!!!
Amen!!!
Wallace should hsve been fired before now. He isn’t a very good driver. Petty needs a great driver to put that number 43 back in the winners circle. Its bern too long
RPM does not have the resources to provide the weekly speed needed to attract top drivers or procure consistent top-10 finishes, so it’s absolutely not about “Bubba should have been fired.” I would have thought that was fairly obvious to be frank, but perhaps you’re just a casual fan. The #43 has gone to victory lane something like five or six times since Petty finally accepted reality (winless in his final eight and a half seasons) and stepped away from driving nearly 30 years ago, so what does that tell you?
Hallie is not ready and Larson will not take a ride that does not win
I would love to see Petty team up with Dodge and renew the storied history of the Mighty Mopars to NASCAR. Then obtain a quality driver to lead the charge. Return Dodge to NASCAR in 2021!
Dodge and a quality driver for RPM? Stop dreaming, guy, you’re sadly living in a past that simply won’t be resurrected.