As Kyle Larson prepares for another shot at the Indy 500 in 2025, Hendrick Motorsports faces a big decision—who will step into the No. 5 Chevrolet during practice and qualifying for the Coca-Cola 600? Larson has a bold suggestion: retired NASCAR icon Carl Edwards.
During a recent interview ahead of The Clash at Bowman Gray, the 2021 Cup Series champion revealed that he had personally pitched the idea to Jeff Gordon and crew chief Cliff Daniels. However, discussions haven’t progressed beyond that yet.
“I haven’t talked to him, and Bob, you can put this out there. He’s probably not going to see it anyway,” Larson admitted. “But I’d love for Carl Edwards to do it. I think it would be awesome. That’s my pick this year.”
If Hendrick Motorsports can convince Edwards to return for a one-off appearance, it would be a headline-grabbing moment. A 28-time Cup Series winner, Edwards shocked the racing world when he stepped away from NASCAR in 2016. A return, even for a short stint, would be a massive storyline.
Since leaving NASCAR, Edwards has largely stayed out of the spotlight. Although rumors of a one-off return have surfaced over the years, none have materialized. Larson’s request is reminiscent of last season when Kevin Harvick stepped in for him at Hendrick Motorsports, a move that gained significant fan attention.
If Edwards accepts the opportunity, it could become one of the biggest guest appearances in modern NASCAR history.
While Larson floated his dream replacement, Kevin Harvick shared his thoughts on another major storyline for 2025—a growing rivalry between Larson and Christopher Bell.
On the Happy Hour Podcast, Harvick suggested that their competitive history—especially in events like the Chili Bowl—could escalate further in the coming season.
“I think the Larson-Bell rivalry is something we all want to see. It’s already heated in places like the Chili Bowl, and I think it’s only going to grow,” Harvick said. “It’s not just about NASCAR—it’s happening in other series too.”
With Larson eyeing a legendary replacement and a potential Cup Series rivalry brewing, the 2025 NASCAR season is shaping up to be full of surprises.
