Earnhardt Ganassi Racing has scheduled a press conference to announce the new driver of the #42 Target Chevy on Friday at 2:35pm/et at Atlanta Motor Speedway.(8-27-2013) UPDATE: With Sprint Cup Series practice set for 3:00pm/et Friday at Atlanta, it would be surprising if a current Sprint Cup driver would be participating in a news conference so close to the start of practice. That could be a sign that EGR will elevate Kyle Larson from the Nationwide Series to Cup. Larson, a 21-year-old Nationwide rookie and a standout in sprint cars, is on loan to Turner Scott Motorsports this year while under contract with EGR. In just his second year of stock-car racing, Larson is eighth in the Nationwide Series standings with six top-five finishes, including two at Bristol, two at Iowa, one at Michigan and one at Charlotte. He also won the truck race at Rockingham earlier this year. While the common belief in NASCAR circles is that Larson will be the new driver, team owner Chip Ganassi is known to be unconventional, as he was when he brought Montoya from Formula One to NASCAR.( Sporting News )(8-28-2013) UPDATE 2: Kyle Larson isnt staying put very long. Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates will move the 21-year-old upstart to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series fulltime in 2014, multiple sources confirmed Tuesday. Reached by phone on Tuesday evening, a team spokesman declined comment. Larson and team members of the Ganassi organization were notified of the decision this week, sources said. Larson will replace Juan Pablo Montoya in the #42 Chevy.( Charlotte Observer )(8-28-2013) UPDATE: Kyle Larson is about to achieve his goal of becoming a driver in NASCARs premier Sprint Cup Series. The 21-year-old racing prodigy from Elk Grove, Calif., will join Jamie McMurray next year on the two-car team of Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, persons familiar with the situation who were not authorized to speak publicly said Wednesday. Larson is expected to step into the #42 Chevy and replace veteran Juan Pablo Montoya.( Los Angeles Times )
