Jeff Gordon, offering his perspective as Hendrick Motorsports vice chairman, provided strategic Jeff Gordon NASCAR playoffs insight after New Hampshire, highlighting optimism for his team’s playoff run while acknowledging Team Penske’s current edge. As the NASCAR Cup Series heads toward crucial races at Kansas Speedway, Gordon described HMS’s priority as pushing their remaining drivers—William Byron, Chase Elliott, and Kyle Larson—toward the championship showdown in Phoenix.
Gordon Reflects on Recent Performance and Penske’s Dominance
After the New Hampshire race, where Ryan Blaney captured victory and Joey Logano finished fourth, Jeff Gordon discussed the power displayed by Team Penske. Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano both dominated substantial portions of the race, while the HMS trio delivered solid results—William Byron in third, Chase Elliott fifth, and Kyle Larson seventh—showcasing progress but revealing there’s still ground to cover.
Pointing to recent improvements at flat tracks like New Hampshire, Gordon assessed the team’s direction heading into the next playoff rounds. He stated,
“I’m very proud of the progression we’ve made, but the Penske cars were incredibly strong. We already know how good they are at Phoenix with what they’ve done the last few years and we have further to go. We’re not there yet,” Jeff Gordon said.
The four-time Cup Series champion recognized that while there’s been advancement, the ultimate challenge lies ahead on tracks where Penske has been formidable, especially Phoenix, home of the championship race.
Focus on Kansas and the Charlotte Roval in the Next Stretch
Looking forward, Gordon described the significance of the next two venues—Kansas Speedway and the Charlotte Roval—ahead of Phoenix. According to Gordon, Kansas is a track where HMS has shown strength before, and the team aims to leverage that speed to enhance their playoff standing.
“We’re pushing ourselves, but we’re trying to see what our competitors are doing. Now this weekend, we go to Kansas, a track that we feel is very strong for us. We had a good first race for this round. We follow it up with another solid one and hopefully we’re leading more laps and have more presence at a mile-and-a-half this weekend than we did at New Hampshire. That can put some pressure back on our competitors and hopefully gets us in a position where we can move on to that next round and continue to find speed for when we get to Phoenix. First, we have to get to Phoenix. That’s the first goal.” — Jeff Gordon, Vice Chairman, Hendrick Motorsports
Gordon underscored that advancing to Phoenix remains the first and highest goal, while monitoring Team Penske and other competitors as HMS works to close the performance gap. The team’s recent momentum and strategic focus will play key roles as the playoffs advance.
Hendrick Motorsports Drivers in Strong Playoff Positions Ahead of Kansas
As the Cup Series moves to Kansas Speedway for the second race of the Round of 12, Hendrick Motorsports enters in a favorable spot. Jeff Gordon, alongside Rick Hendrick, oversees a lineup that currently sits above the playoff cut line, positioning all three remaining HMS drivers for potential advancement to the next round.
William Byron leads the group, giving Hendrick a robust playoff presence as the pilot of the #24 car with a 47-point cushion above the cutoff. Kyle Larson, driving the #5 entry, holds a secure 41-point advantage. Chase Elliott, in the #9 car, enters Kansas with a 14-point lead above the elimination threshold. Their performances in the Round of 12’s first event established a strong foundation as they aim to secure spots in the Round of 8.
Outlook for the Championship Race at Phoenix
While optimism surrounds Hendrick Motorsports as the playoffs unfold, Jeff Gordon’s strategy remains firmly on advancing to Phoenix, where the championship will be decided. The team’s recent outings at flat racetracks, combined with targeted efforts at Kansas and Charlotte Roval, highlight a commitment to continuous improvement and competitiveness against powerhouse rivals like Team Penske.
With playoff pressure mounting, attention is sharply focused on how HMS and drivers William Byron, Chase Elliott, and Kyle Larson will perform in the crucial upcoming races. The pursuit for speed, consistent finishes, and eventual contention for the NASCAR title continues as the postseason heats up.
