As the NASCAR Cup Series regular season nears its conclusion, Hendrick Motorsports prepares for a crucial showdown at Watkins Glen International, aiming to further cement its dominance on road courses and bolster its playoff position. The team’s remarkable run in 2025 has placed drivers William Byron, Chase Elliott, and Kyle Larson at the forefront, making Hendrick Motorsports Watkins Glen performance a central storyline in the heated race toward the playoffs.
Hendrick Motorsports Arrives at Watkins Glen Ready for More Success
Throughout 2025, Hendrick Motorsports has set an impressive pace, consistently delivering strong results across various tracks and racing formats. The team remains the only organization to have placed at least one car in the top ten of every event this season, a streak now extended to 31 consecutive races going back to the previous year—the longest such run in the Next Gen era. Powered by an elite engine shop, Hendrick engines have notched 548 national series wins, just two away from an unprecedented 550.
The organization’s impact has been especially notable on road courses, winning five of the last eleven such races and taking two checkered flags in three Next Gen events at Watkins Glen. Hendrick’s engines have delivered consistent speed and reliability, which is reflected by the team leading the Cup Series in laps led, stage victories, and points accumulated over the first 23 races. All of these factors loom large as drivers head to the New York circuit with three regular season races remaining and playoff spots on the line.
Kyle Larson Looks for Another Watkins Glen Triumph
Kyle Larson, age 33 from Elk Grove, California, comes to Watkins Glen International with a proven road course pedigree and a hunger to add to his record. Through 23 races, Larson leads the series with 11 top-five finishes and 14 top-ten finishes, standing third in championship points and just one point away from leading the playoff standings. He enjoys a strong history at The Glen, having won back-to-back races there in 2021 and 2022, and leads all active drivers with an average starting position of 7.4 in his ten races at the venue.
Larson is tied for second among Next Gen competitors with three road course wins, putting him within reach of matching teammate Chase Elliott’s seven career road course victories among active drivers. With his crew chief Cliff Daniels, Larson aims to capitalize on his consistent form and past success at Watkins Glen to strengthen his championship challenge.
“It’s always great going to Watkins Glen and to a track that I’ve had success at in the past. With just a couple races left in the regular season, we’re hopeful that we can put together a solid race weekend to help towards winning the regular season championship and put us in a good spot for the playoffs.”
—Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet
Chase Elliott Targets More Road Course Glory
Chase Elliott, hailing from Dawsonville, Georgia, enters the pivotal Watkins Glen race sitting second in points, just 18 markers behind fellow Hendrick Motorsports driver William Byron. The 29-year-old has made history this season by finishing in the top 20 in every one of the 23 events, a feat only matched by two other drivers—Bill Elliott in 1988 and Ricky Rudd in 1991. Elliott’s average finish of 10.3 not only leads all drivers this year but stands as his second best ever through this part of a season.
On road courses, Elliott stands as the top active driver with seven victories, securing his place just behind NASCAR Hall of Famers Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart on the all-time road course wins list. The 2020 Cup Series champion also leads all drivers with 11 top-five results in the Next Gen era on such tracks. Elliott’s mastery of Watkins Glen is highlighted by back-to-back wins, including his breakthrough Cup Series win in 2018. Alan Gustafson, his crew chief, continues to play a significant role in sustaining Elliott’s momentum.
“We had a really solid foundation, and prior to our success here in ‘18 and ’19, it wasn’t like we were bad. We might not have won, but we were really solid before that. And, yeah, had a package, kept building on it, got better. That was all with the old car. Since the new car came in, it’s been totally different, truthfully. The success in this new car, it’s not even a different chapter, it’s like a different book. So, I wouldn’t even compare that if it were me. I think it’s just kind of happenstance that we’ve fired off well. I think all of us get around here pretty good, so that certainly helps as you come into a new car.”
—Chase Elliott, driver of the No. 9 Chevrolet
William Byron Sets the Standard Heading Into the Glen
Fresh off a hard-fought victory at Iowa Speedway, William Byron, age 27 and native to Charlotte, North Carolina, heads to Watkins Glen atop the championship leaderboard. Byron’s win at Iowa marked his second of the season and 15th career triumph, making him the first driver to claim victories in all three national series at Iowa. His overall performance this year has been remarkable, leading the field with 910 laps led, 770 points, and spending the most time running in the top five and top ten of any competitor.
Byron has carved out a reputation as a formidable road course racer, achieving a win at Watkins Glen in 2023 after leading 66 laps. Over his past eleven road course events, Byron boasts a pole position, a win, two runner-up finishes, and eight top tens. He’s managed three top-ten finishes on serpentine layouts this season, tying him for the second most among drivers in 2025. Paired with crew chief Rudy Fugle, Byron looks to leverage his current momentum and continue setting the pace for both Hendrick Motorsports and the broader Cup Series field.
“This was just a big relief to have one go our way, and we’ve just been running so well this year, I feel like this is going to be a big momentum boost for our team just to be able to check that one off the list and keep carrying the speed that we’ve had.”
—William Byron, driver of the No. 24 Chevrolet
Alex Bowman Focused on Securing Playoff Spot
Alex Bowman, from Tucson, Arizona, has delivered the best Cup Series stretch of his career through 23 races in 2025, notching 13 top-ten results and leading laps in 12 different events. Sitting 15th in playoff standings, Bowman holds a 63-point buffer above the cutoff, but with the field tightening up, every stage and position is critical over the remaining weeks.
Bowman’s road course credentials have grown in recent seasons, with a memorable win at the Chicago Street Course last year and 123 points scored on road layouts so far this season, placing him seventh among drivers. Crew chief Blake Harris continues to guide Bowman as they target another solid showing at Watkins Glen, where Bowman aims to stay clear of trouble and maximize stage points in pursuit of a deeper playoff run. This weekend, Bowman and sponsor Ally will spotlight their partnership with the Chautauqua County Humane Society in Jamestown, New York, linking racing with community outreach.
“Watkins Glen has never been an easy place for me, but I feel like we’ve made a lot of progress on road courses the last couple years. Getting that win last season really helped build confidence, and with how we’ve been running lately, I feel good about where we’re at. Every point matters right now with the playoff picture, so the goal is to keep that momentum going and have a clean, solid day.”
—Alex Bowman, driver of the No. 48 Chevrolet
Team and Engine Shop Drive Unmatched Records
Across its storied history, Hendrick Motorsports has amassed 318 Cup Series wins, 258 poles, 1,310 top-five finishes, and 2,238 top ten finishes—all marking the highest totals ever recorded by any NASCAR organization. The team’s dominance is also reflected in its performance at Watkins Glen and on road courses in general. Since 2018, Hendrick Motorsports has secured at least one road course victory each season, consistently adapting to new car generations and rule changes.
This season, the team’s engines have powered victories in the Cup, Xfinity, and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, while also earning 17 poles across NASCAR’s top two divisions and a total of 21 race wins. The performance edge provided by the engine shop has allowed Hendrick entries to lead 2,328 laps so far, accounting for an impressive 39% of all laps run in the Cup Series in 2025—more than double the tally of the nearest competitor. With drivers Byron, Elliott, and Larson occupying the top three spots in the regular season standings for eight weeks (a first in Cup Series history), the team’s internal competition continues to push everyone forward.
Watkins Glen’s Role in the Playoff Picture
The upcoming Watkins Glen event is not simply another road course test but a potential turning point in both the team and driver standings as the playoff race intensifies. Hendrick Motorsports has enjoyed a particular affinity with the New York circuit in recent years, winning multiple times in the Next Gen era and often being the team to beat on race day. With the playoff grid not yet settled, top drivers face the pressure of maximizing stage points, protecting their advantages, and seeking the kind of race day execution that could define their postseason path.
For Hendrick Motorsports, victory at Watkins Glen would not only tie them for the most wins at the venue all time but also fortify their momentum entering the critical final stretch. Each of the team’s four drivers brings unique strengths and recent form, and their combined track record at The Glen underscores just how important this circuit is within the broader championship context. As competitors close in, the focus remains on sustaining performance, capitalizing on speed, and maintaining the high standards that have come to define Hendrick Motorsports Watkins Glen performance.
With just three races remaining before the playoff cutoff, every stage is charged with intensity. Hendrick Motorsports, with its experienced drivers, innovative technical staff, and history of triumph at Watkins Glen International, enters the weekend primed to chase another historic milestone in the annals of NASCAR.
