Hendrick Motorsports demonstrated clear performance gains during the Mobil 1 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, evidencing improvements in competitiveness even as Team Penske dominated the race by leading 263 of the 301 laps. The event provided strong signs of progress for the team, with several Hendrick drivers finishing in the top positions and strengthening their standings as the NASCAR Cup Series heads towards its championship rounds.
Competitive Showings Mark Notable Improvement for Hendrick
The race unfolded in Loudon, N.H., where Hendrick Motorsports signaled visible steps forward in their performance throughout Sunday’s contest. While Team Penske, winners of the last three series championships, showcased a commanding presence at the front, Hendrick managed to place three cars inside the top 10 at New Hampshire for the first time in a decade. William Byron was the top Hendrick finisher in third place, breaking a streak of five finishes outside the top 10, while Chase Elliott surged from a 27th-place start to claim fifth. Kyle Larson rounded out the effort, scoring points in both stages and ending the race in seventh.
Kyle Larson reflected on the dynamic with Team Penske and the broader field, stating,
“Penske was even better than I think they are compared to the rest of the field in the past,”
Kyle Larson, Driver
Larson continued his analysis of the on-track competition:
“When I was behind [Ryan Blaney], his car was crazy gripped up compared to mine. Mine didn’t even feel that bad that run and I just let him go and he was flying. [Joey Logano] was a step off of him and I thought [Josh Berry] was pretty close to Ryan.”
Kyle Larson, Driver
Despite not closing the gap on Penske at the flat, 1.058-mile oval, which shares characteristics with Phoenix Raceway—the site of the 2025 championship finale—Hendrick’s drivers noticed incremental gains over other teams, including perennial contenders Joe Gibbs Racing.
“I thought Hendrick Motorsports was better than [Joe Gibbs Racing] today,”
Larson added, though he made it clear there was progress left to make.
Concluding with optimism after a solid points turnout, Larson said,
“At times, I thought we were the third or fourth best car. On cycled tires and right sides, those runs, I wasn’t as good. We will look at that and see what to learn from it. All and all, it was a great points day.”
Kyle Larson, Driver
Byron, Elliott, and Larson Strengthen Playoff Prospects
William Byron, who secured the 2025 Regular Season Championship, expressed enthusiasm for the team’s upward trend. Byron performed consistently, finishing third in each stage and collecting 50 points overall. He credited the day as a significant morale booster and a testament to the team’s determination, stating,
“We weren’t close today in terms of [Penske’s] pace, but I thought we were so much improved for our standard,”
William Byron, Driver
He emphasized the positive momentum:
“This is definitely a shot in the arm for us. It shows what we’re capable of and that we can put our mind to. I’m excited going forward after today. We’ve got to keep building. We’ve got to keep working on it, but this is a lot closer than we’ve been at this track.”
William Byron, Driver
Chase Elliott, one of three Hendrick drivers aiming for the playoffs, faced the largest challenge in terms of track position. Launching from the 27th spot, he managed to climb into the top 20 by the end of Stage 1, then to seventh in Stage 2, ultimately securing a fifth-place result. Elliott evaluated the race compared to a previous strong run at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway, where he finished third, noting,
“I feel like it was about where we were at Gateway,”
Chase Elliott, Driver
He recognized the importance of improved qualifying, as well as the team’s overall performance, stating,
“I thought our pace was really good today. We weren’t up there with [Blaney] and them, but otherwise, I thought we were pretty solid.”
Chase Elliott, Driver
Playoff Standings and Upcoming Challenges
Looking ahead, all three Hendrick playoff drivers—Byron, Larson, and Elliott—remain comfortably above the playoff cutline with just Kansas Speedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Roval left in the Round of 12. Byron sits with the largest margin at 47 points ahead of the cutoff, followed by Larson with a 41-point buffer, and Elliott in seventh place with a 14-point advantage.
Byron highlighted the importance of maintaining momentum and the need for consistent execution as the playoffs progress, remarking,
“Just try to go to every race, every weekend and execute well. Certainly a better start than we anticipated.”
William Byron, Driver
Significance of Hendrick’s Recent Progress and What Lies Ahead
Hendrick Motorsports’ improved showing at New Hampshire underlines clear performance gains, signaling they are moving in the right direction but must continue refining their cars and strategies to challenge Team Penske and others at flat tracks. With the NASCAR Cup Series championship on the horizon at Phoenix Raceway, a track similar to New Hampshire, the developments in Loudon offer important insights into Hendrick’s prospects for the remainder of the season. The team’s ongoing progress keeps them firmly in contention as the playoffs continue, fueled by the dedication of Kyle Larson, William Byron, and Chase Elliott.
