CHARLOTTE, N.C. — NASCAR champion Kyle Larson has signed a three-year contract extension by 2026 with Hendrick Motorsports, the crew that welcomed him again final season after a virtually one-year suspension.

The extension introduced Friday consists of sponsor HendrickCars.com, which is able to sponsor the No. 5 Chevrolet for 35 races a season. Larson’s extension and the sponsorship renewal are concurrent. The unique deal for HendrickCars.com to grow to be Larson’s major sponsor was introduced final July when Rick Hendrick’s on-line car website pulled huge site visitors spikes every time it was featured on Larson’s automobile.

The 30-year-old Larson was suspended for many of 2020 for utilizing a racial slur and misplaced his job with Chip Ganassi Racing. Hendrick took him when the suspension was lifted, and Larson gained 10 races final season and his first Cup title.

“When Kyle joined our crew, the expectations have been sky excessive from each inside and outdoors the group. To say he is exceeded them could be an understatement,” Rick Hendrick stated. “Not solely has Kyle confirmed himself as a champion driver, he is carried out at a championship stage exterior of the race automobile. We’re proud to proceed our relationship and to see him symbolize our crew and our manufacturers in such optimistic methods. The years to return are very brilliant.”

HendrickCars.com additionally will proceed to help Larson in his non-NASCAR racing.

“I am unable to clarify how a lot this chance means,” Larson stated. “The possibility to compete for the highest crew and greatest sponsors in racing is one thing each driver desires about. I am humbled to have unbelievable individuals in my nook and wonderful help from so many followers.”

Hendrick Automotive Group stated it has measured a 3-to-1 return on its advertising funding in NASCAR by HendrickCars.com. The web site’s highest-traffic days of 2022 have been related to NASCAR-related initiatives, and the corporate additionally has utilized Larson as a spokesperson for its company social duty applications.

Larson heads into Saturday evening’s elimination playoff race at Bristol Motor Speedway ranked eighth within the standings. The underside 4 drivers within the 16-driver area will probably be eradicated Saturday evening.