Hendrick Motorsports is nearing a historic milestone as they approach the Cup Series finale, set to compete for what could be the organization’s 15th championship. The Hendrick Motorsports championship pursuit will reach its climax at Phoenix Raceway on November 2, with drivers William Byron and Kyle Larson representing the team among the Championship 4 contenders.
Rick Hendrick Confident in Driver Performance Throughout the Season
Throughout the 2023 season, team owner Rick Hendrick has consistently expressed strong support for all four of his drivers: William Byron, Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, and Alex Bowman. During a recent press conference, Hendrick highlighted the collective effort and resilience within his lineup, standing firmly behind their season-long performances despite the competitive challenges.
“Two of the cars have led the most laps. William with the most and Kyle second,”
said Rick Hendrick, Team Owner. He also noted the individual successes of Elliott and Bowman, adding,
“If you can lead laps and be competitive – Chase [Elliott] won the Shootout, the Clash, and he’s won two races. Alex [Bowman] was in the points battle right up there toward the middle to the end of the year. He just had horrible luck,”
Rick Hendrick, Team Owner.
Overcoming Equipment Challenges Amid Stiff Competition
Hendrick Motorsports has battled adversity, particularly with their Chevrolet Camaro being an older model compared to rivals such as Team Penske’s Ford Mustangs and Joe Gibbs Racing’s Toyota Camrys. Nevertheless, the team concentrated on extracting maximum performance from their cars, addressing areas for improvement, and remaining competitive all season.
“When we look back and we have a car that’s two or three years old, and Ford and Toyota had a shot at making their stuff better, and we had to work our butts off to be competitive and look at areas where we thought we needed to improve, and our guys did it. I think that’s all you can ask. It’s a very competitive series,”
Rick Hendrick, Team Owner.
Maintaining Realistic Expectations in a Tight Field
Given the parity among teams and the unpredictability of mechanical or race incidents, Hendrick continues to set measured goals for his drivers. He understands that in a field with evenly matched cars and highly skilled drivers, consistent leading and stage performance matter as much as outright wins, especially in pursuit of a championship. The unpredictability of mishaps, from tire issues to engine failures, is acknowledged as part of the sport’s reality.
Stage Wins Highlight Team’s Consistency
“I look at it like if you can lead — and you’re not going to win races. You can be lucky sometimes, but you have to be able to run up front and lead and win stages. I think we won more stages than anybody,”
Rick Hendrick, Team Owner. Statistically, Hendrick Motorsports has secured 21 stage victories this season, marking the second-best record in the team’s history, just behind their 25 stage wins achieved in 2021. This tally underscores the team’s front-running pace even when race victories were elusive.
Looking Ahead to Potential History
As the season finale at Phoenix Raceway approaches, Hendrick Motorsports stands at the edge of another landmark achievement. With a strong showing in both consistency and stage wins, and with William Byron and Kyle Larson ready to contend for the title, the organization’s pursuit of a record 15th Cup could soon be realized. The focus now shifts to whether the team can convert their year-long efforts into another championship, writing a new chapter in NASCAR history.
