As the NASCAR Cup Series returns to the spotlight at Kansas Speedway this weekend, Hendrick Motorsports brings four determined drivers, each looking to leverage their strong history at the track for another win. The Hendrick Motorsports Kansas Speedway Preview highlights a team positioned for success, aiming to build on their legacy and recent results as racing heats up in the playoffs.
Team Overview and Recent Momentum
Hendrick Motorsports arrives in Kansas after notable finishes at New Hampshire, with each of its drivers showing competitive form. Kyle Larson, from Elk Grove, California, captured seventh place last weekend, while Chase Elliott, out of Dawsonville, Georgia, finished fifth. William Byron, Charlotte native, placed third, and Alex Bowman, hailing from Tucson, Arizona, secured fifteenth. Team standings reflect sustained performance, with Byron holding second, Larson in third, Elliott in seventh, and Bowman in thirteenth place so far this season.
Kyle Larson: Building on Prior Kansas Success
Kyle Larson, piloting the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet overseen by Crew Chief Cliff Daniels, maintains one of the strongest records among active drivers at Kansas Speedway. In 2025, Larson’s career continues to shine, with a Cup average finish at Kansas of 12.4 and a season average of 14.1. His steady pace and adaptability make him a clear front-runner ahead of this event.
Laps led are telling of Larson’s prowess, as he has commanded over 10,000 laps in his Cup career, including several at Kansas. His approach and technical skill have proven invaluable, particularly in managing tire wear and utilizing multiple lines during races.
“Kansas is probably statistically one of our strongest tracks as a team. We got a win there earlier this year, which is great, so we have a great setup for those mile-and-a-half tracks. It’s a great track, it wears the tires out, so I feel like you really have to manage your tires. For the most part, everyone runs the top, but I feel like at the end of the run you can kind of move around and find some grip. It’s probably our best track for Next Gen racing because of the options, we all really enjoy going to Kansas.”
— Kyle Larson, Driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet
Chase Elliott: Consistency and Optimism at Kansas
Chase Elliott, driving the No. 9 Kelley Blue Book Chevrolet under the direction of Crew Chief Alan Gustafson, carries a history of solid performances at Kansas Speedway. Elliott’s average finish at the track sits at 14.6, marking him as a steady contender. With nearly 6,000 laps led in his career and a proven ability to adapt to different lane entries, Elliott brings resilience and tactical acumen to the weekend’s race.
“It’s probably been the best track, I would say, for the Next Gen car in terms of just putting on a good race. Kansas (Speedway) and (Las) Vegas (Motor Speedway) and just all those race tracks that you can enter in different lanes and have a fresh lane of air to not have to enter right behind somebody to get the perfect line around there. It ends up being a pretty good race. All the tracks that we end up having to kind of follow right in line with corner entry, those tend to be the ones that get complained about the most, and certainly Kansas is not one of those.”
— Chase Elliott, Driver of the No. 9 Chevrolet
William Byron: Cautiously Confident for Another Strong Showing
William Byron and his No. 24 Cincinnati Chevrolet, with Crew Chief Rudy Fugle, are gearing up with both confidence and caution. Byron has a Kansas average finish of 14.5 and a season average just under 13.6, reflecting strong pace and tactical execution. Despite his record of running well at the speedway, Byron knows unpredictability can shape outcomes at any moment, but he remains focused on executing cleanly and aiming for another top finish.
“I’m always cautiously optimistic about going to Kansas (Speedway). We always seem to run well there but at the same time have had some issues out of our control as well. I feel like we don’t want to get our hopes up too much because the script can flip easily, but if we show up and execute, we should have a really solid weekend and run up front.”
— William Byron, Driver of the No. 24 Chevrolet
Alex Bowman: A Track That Fits His Strengths
Alex Bowman, with the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet and Crew Chief Blake Harris, believes Kansas Speedway fits his driving style better than most circuits. His recent results at the track include several solid runs, and he holds an average Kansas finish of 14.2. Despite a tougher outing in New Hampshire, Bowman is looking to capitalize on past success and fine-tune small details to challenge at the front again.
“Kansas (Speedway) has been a really good place for us the last few years. We’ve had a lot of solid runs there, and it’s a track that fits my driving style pretty well. If we can keep doing what we’ve been doing and clean up a few little things, I think we’ll have a shot to run up front.”
— Alex Bowman, Driver of the No. 48 Chevrolet
Hendrick Motorsports: An Unrivaled Legacy at Kansas
Hendrick Motorsports as an organization brings an imposing resume to Kansas Speedway, with more total wins, poles, and top finishes at the track than any other team. The fleet has amassed over 1,400 Cup entries, an all-time high of 318 wins, and 258 pole positions. Their drivers have captured 1,315 top-five finishes and more than 84,000 laps led, further cementing their position atop the NASCAR landscape.
The crew chiefs—Cliff Daniels, Alan Gustafson, Rudy Fugle, and Blake Harris—play a critical role in preparing cars that meet the demands of a track known for its multiple racing grooves and tire wear. Combined with seasoned drivers, this strategy contributes to Hendrick Motorsports’ consistency and dominance.
What Lies Ahead for Hendrick Motorsports at Kansas Speedway
As the Cup Series continues its playoff march, Kansas Speedway promises to be a crucial battleground. With all four drivers bringing strong records, supportive crews, and sharp recent form, Hendrick Motorsports aims to secure another significant victory. Fans and competitors alike will watch to see if this storied team can add yet another chapter to their Kansas success story as the NASCAR season progresses.
