Jeff Gordon expressed concern after William Byron’s underwhelming result at Kansas Speedway, raising doubts about the Hendrick Motorsports squad’s form during the crucial playoff run. The Jeff Gordon Kansas Speedway reaction followed a noticeable slip in performance by the No. 24 team, who recently attracted praise from Kevin Harvick as the driver to watch in the HMS lineup.
Entering Kansas, Byron and his team were viewed as strong contenders based on their standout regular season and a reputation backed by Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick. Gordon himself had put Byron ahead of teammate Kyle Larson in terms of who could make the biggest playoff impact for Hendrick Motorsports. However, the event turned out to be a pivotal test, with the No. 24 Chevrolet struggling to find speed and nearly being lapped during Stage 2, a rare sight for the squad that has frequently set high standards on race weekend.
Post-Race Assessment Highlights Performance Issues
Gordon did not shy away from evaluating the struggles after the race, describing the outing as a wake-up call for the team. He focused on the lack of pace and the surprising need to fight off mid-pack traffic. Reflecting on the team’s ninth-place finish, Gordon remarked,
“The No. 24 was the one that was kind of the eye-opener today. They were pretty far off. They come out of here with a top 10 because they didn’t give up either. That one’s got our head, scratching our heads, and we’ll go back and diagnose kind of what they went through and why they were in that position.”
— Jeff Gordon, Hendrick Motorsports Executive
Offering some relief, Gordon acknowledged they achieved a respectable result despite the early struggles, noting,
“Just glad they pulled a good finish together there to get the points they needed,”
— Jeff Gordon, Hendrick Motorsports Executive
This result left Byron with a narrowing 40-point lead, making the playoff outlook tense as the field advances toward the next elimination phase.
Playoff Implications for Byron and HMS Team
Following several mid-race adjustments, Byron’s team salvaged a ninth-place finish, while his teammate Chase Elliott found victory lane with his second win of the season. The result placed Byron sixth in the Round of 12 standings, leaving him a 27-point cushion over the crucial cutoff spot if a playoff outsider manages a win below the line. Nevertheless, his performance at Kansas shows vulnerabilities that could prove costly with the Round of 8 looming.
As the playoff battles intensify, Byron’s results so far in this stage make clear that his advancement is not yet secure. The Charlotte ROVAL now stands as a pivotal event—Byron must rediscover the momentum that defined his early season if he wants to retain championship contention amid escalating competition. The pressure continues to mount for Hendrick Motorsports and the No. 24 team, with the next race set to be decisive for Byron and his supporters.
