Why Kyle Larson can't blow his big shot at redemption

There comes a time in the lifecycle of elite sports when, to stay ahead of the competition, a team or series must reinvent itself by phasing out the old battle-scared heroes and bring in fresh and energetic new contenders. That helps reignite the torch and give the flame a new lease of life.

It's a tricky business, one that takes a sagacious mind to implement and ensure a seamless transition from the all-conquering era that has just closed to the next chapter. This is a journey that Hendrick Motorsports, NASCAR's most successful team, has found itself on over the past few years, as its roster of drivers - arguably the biggest names over the past two decades of stock car racing - have all taken their last dance. They've passed on the duty of repeated excellence that has come to define Rick Hendrick's eponymous squad.