Hendrick Motorsports playoff struggles 2025 have become a major talking point after the team’s unexpectedly poor showing at the Darlington opener of the NASCAR Cup Series postseason on Sunday, where none of its drivers broke into the top 16. As the squad prepares for the Gateway round, NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. shed light on the organization’s track record of overcoming setbacks, pointing to owner Rick Hendrick’s influential leadership as a key factor.
Hendrick’s Disappointing Start Raises Questions
The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs began with a shock as Hendrick Motorsports, a powerhouse team boasting 317 Cup Series victories and a storied 14 championship legacy, faltered at Darlington. All four drivers fell short of expectations—Chase Elliott finished 17th, Kyle Larson 19th, William Byron 21st, and Alex Bowman 31st—while Chase Briscoe took the win for Joe Gibbs Racing. The result has placed the team under intense scrutiny moving into the next round at Gateway, with fans and analysts alike questioning whether Hendrick can quickly rebound during this turbulent playoff run.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Discusses Rick Hendrick’s Influence
Dale Earnhardt Jr., who raced the No. 88 for Hendrick until his retirement in 2017, expressed confidence that the organization won’t let this rough patch define their postseason. He emphasized Rick Hendrick’s decisive approach following difficult races:
“Hendrick Motorsports struggled – Elliott 17th, Larson 19th, Byron 21st, Bowman 31st. I don’t expect to see that happen next week,”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Legend
Earnhardt Jr. described Hendrick’s method as a unique blend of urgency and composure, with the owner convening team meetings to call for improvement while inspiring even the most established competitors to raise their game. According to Earnhardt Jr., the team’s storied success is grounded in this unwavering expectation to bounce back from adversity, as Rick Hendrick makes clear what is at stake and motivates everyone to avoid becoming the weak link.
The Drive to Recover and Improve
Beyond immediate results, the team’s ability to recover from setbacks is credited to finding incremental gains even when performance seems maxed out. Earnhardt Jr. highlighted this relentless pursuit for improvement:
“When you think there’s nothing else to find, there’s not another 2 or 5 percent to learn, they go and get it.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Legend
Instead of reacting with anger, Hendrick’s leadership in these critical team moments is marked by calm yet unmistakable disappointment, sending a clear message about the standards expected at Hendrick Motorsports.
“He doesn’t get loud, he doesn’t raise his voice at all, but it is a very serious ‘I’m disappointed and I’m not here to be a loser or a failure – that’s not what we’re about’. And it’s pretty impactful.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Legend
Earnhardt Jr. believes that these moments serve as catalysts, uniting the group and steering the organization back on track when their championship pursuit is threatened.
How the Standings Shape the Challenge Ahead
As the postseason heads to Gateway, the current NASCAR playoff standings show that Kyle Larson and William Byron still hold relatively safe spots for Hendrick Motorsports. However, Chase Elliott is near the elimination cutline, and Alex Bowman faces a steep climb to stay in contention. Joe Gibbs Racing’s Chase Briscoe is secure with his Darlington win, while Denny Hamlin and Tyler Reddick maintain strong points cushions. The pressure is clearly on for Bowman and Elliott, whose playoff fates hang in the balance after Darlington’s fallout.
These challenges have set the stage for high drama, with organizations like Team Penske and Trackhouse Racing also vying for advancement. Notably, the presence of names such as Joey Logano, Austin Dillon, and Josh Berry below the cut further complicates the competitive landscape, underscoring the unpredictability of this postseason.
What’s at Stake for Hendrick in the 2025 Playoffs
Hendrick Motorsports faces significant pressure to rebound amidst the turbulent intensity of the 2025 playoffs. With Rick Hendrick’s renowned leadership and the team’s history of overcoming adversity, their response in the coming races will be closely watched by the NASCAR community. The focus remains not just on performance at Gateway but on whether the collective resolve within the organization can once again turn playoff struggles into another chapter of success.
