OPINION: Where Art Thou Chase Elliott go?

With Jeff Gordon deflecting reports of retirement and Kasey Kahne’s contract set to expire at the end of 2015, the pieces of the puzzle were coming together for Chase Elliott to take over Kahne’s ride at Hendrick Motorsports in 2016. However, Hendrick Motorsports threw a twist in those plans earlier this week when they announced that they had signed Kasey Kahne to a three-year contract extension.

So now the question remains – where art thou Chase Elliott go?

Set to run the full NASCAR Xfinity Series schedule next year along with some Sprint Cup races, the theory all along has been that Elliott will run two years in the Xfinity Series before moving up into Sprint Cup. The plan looked to be pretty much stapled in after Elliott secured the 2014 NASCAR Nationwide Series Championship with three victories under his belt. However, if the plan is set to take place as discussed, there’s a snag – there’s no room in the Hendrick Inn.

Oh yes, we’ve heard the phase before. Remember when Rick Hendrick uttered those words in 2007 when Dale Earnhardt Jr. announced he was leaving Dale Earnhardt Incorporated? And yet, Earnhardt still joined Hendrick Motorsports as Hendrick let Kyle Busch out of his contract early. So there is reason to doubt that room could be made, right?

It was long believed that Elliott would replace Jeff Gordon as Gordon set off into retirement after Gordon made it mentioned a couple years ago that he was looking at retirement due to an aging back. However, with those pains taken care of and a new perspective, the discussions of retirement look to be in the rearview mirror.

A6 Retirement isn't on my radar. I'm focused on performing my best for #Team24 & going after another championship. @Sisie24 #launchCKP

— Jeff Gordon (@JeffGordonWeb) October 16, 2014

Could Gordon actually retire despite reflecting the reports? It’s quite possible, but noteworthy, Gordon has sponsorship signed thru 2017.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jimmie Johnson currently hold the remaining two seats at HMS.

Johnson’s contract expires at the end of 2015, but he is expected to resign, given the previous six championships that he has won in the past nine years. Johnson mentioned on Thursday at a foundation function that he is working on that extension, per USA Today.

Earnhardt Jr. is signed thru the next couple of years, as well, and with Earnhardt’s popularity and success in the No. 88 Chevrolet, do not expect HMS to let him go in the near future.

So with no room at HMS – as it looks without Gordon retiring – the questions remains – where art thou Chase Elliott go? Stewart-Haas Racing.

HMS has developed a close relationship with SHR, in that the eight teams across the board work together as one unit. The relationship was emphasized when Rex Stump left HMS after 18 years in their research department to become the new Technical Director at SHR.

Tony Stewart looks to be a lock for his own ride in the team as the veteran driver doesn’t look to be slowing down anytime soon, despite some tough experiences the past two years.

Kevin Harvick is having the time of his life and just won the championship, so do you honestly see him giving up his seat? Nope.

Kurt Busch is a solid driver behind the wheel and has the full support of Gene Haas, SHR’s co-owner. If the domestic abuse allegations don’t result in jail time, certainly he can remain. If they do, well, here’s a possible opening. But we’re not going to count on that.

That leaves us with one more seat – Danica Patrick.

The marketing diva whom has the full support behind her from Go Daddy. However, does having full support and being marketable equal results? Not quite. In 82 starts, she has has only four top-10s and one pole, while finishing 28th in points this year with an average finish of 23.1.

How long does lack luster finishes at a top tier organization keep her in the ride? Does she get bumped out to make room for a young 18-year-old that can win races and championships?

Rick Hendrick has been in this position before with a young driver who had a bunch of talent. He was named Brad Keselowski. Hendrick had no room, though, and lost him to Team Penske. Keselowski then went on to win a Sprint Cup Championship for the Captain in 2012. Is Hendrick ready to repeat the past? Don’t think so, and for that reason, you will see room made in the inn for Elliott, somehow, someway.