Kyle Larson clinched his second NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway on November 2, 2025, guided by crew chief Cliff Daniels, who credits the team’s enduring success to the Hendrick Motorsports championship culture. This momentous win in Avondale, Arizona, not only highlighted Larson’s driving prowess but also shined a spotlight on the organization’s supportive environment and strong leadership.
After taking the checkered flag and lifting the Bill France Cup trophy, Kyle Larson elevated himself into the distinguished group of just 18 drivers in NASCAR’s 77-year legacy to earn multiple Cup Series titles. At the same time, Cliff Daniels reached a rarefied level among crew chiefs, emphasizing that such achievements are rooted deeply in the workplace culture championed by founders Rick and Linda Hendrick.
The Team-First Approach at Hendrick Motorsports
Following the championship win, Cliff Daniels was quick to recognize the collective effort that defines Hendrick’s ongoing triumphs. He reflected on the unity and purpose that permeate every corner of the organization, stating,
“We have so many good people and so many good leaders at Hendrick Motorsports,”
—Cliff Daniels, Crew Chief. He continued,
“You know what it feels like to walk around, and feel the common bond, the culture that is led first and foremost by Mr. and Mrs. Hendrick. That’s what matters. That culture and leadership, and the care for people to achieve a common goal. That’s what matters.”
—Cliff Daniels, Crew Chief.
This culture is built on meaningful recognition and personal investment in every member, whether engineers, mechanics, or drivers. Earlier in the year, Hendrick Motorsports held a luncheon to honor nine employees celebrating 20 years of service, each receiving a commemorative watch. Such milestones and gestures reinforce the feeling that individuals are not only valued for results on track, but for their ongoing commitment and effort behind the scenes, strengthening the overall foundation of the championship culture.
Cliff Daniels now shares company with legendary crew chiefs Ray Evernham and Chad Knaus, both of whom also masterminded multiple championships at Hendrick Motorsports. Daniels expressed gratitude for those influences, saying,
“Chad Knaus was such an influence on my career. Working under him for four, five years. Won a championship with Jimmy. Those two together had such an impact on me. From the team building standpoint, from how to compete, how to do things the right way.”
—Cliff Daniels, Crew Chief.
Ray Evernham was instrumental in helping Jeff Gordon secure three NASCAR Cup Series championships during the 1990s, introducing groundbreaking strategies and a new leadership model that changed the sport. Chad Knaus, inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2024, achieved seven Cup Series crowns with Jimmie Johnson, including five consecutively from 2006 to 2010, ranking second in all-time wins for a crew chief with 81 victories.
Leadership, Mentorship, and Building a Lasting Legacy
The influence of Evernham and Knaus continues to shape the approach taken by Daniels and his peers. By working under Knaus, Cliff Daniels absorbed a wealth of championship experience, learning how to foster resilience and unity under immense pressure. The organizational culture at Hendrick, which reveres both individual achievement and collaboration, gives rise to a succession of leaders equipped to sustain the team’s legacy of excellence.
Hendrick Motorsports’ 2023 milestone—its 300th Cup Series victory, marked by William Byron’s triumph at Texas Motor Speedway—was a testament not only to racing talent but also to the underlying structure and philosophy promoted by team owner Rick Hendrick and executive Jeff Gordon. The team’s ability to nurture championship-caliber drivers and crew continues to set the gold standard in NASCAR competition.
Cliff Daniels’ Determination Inspires the Team to Overcome Adversity
Throughout the 2025 championship race, adversity tested the resolve of Larson, Daniels, and their entire crew. Even as the race at Phoenix unfolded, Larson encountered setbacks that appeared insurmountable—a blown tire and a time deficit—while high-ranking supporters Rick Hendrick and Jeff Gordon nearly lost hope for a title. But Cliff Daniels’ steadiness became the anchor for the No. 5 team, as his positivity radiated through the radio static during their darkest moments.
Following the victory, Larson was effusive in his appreciation for Daniels:
“He works so hard. Not just on the team but on himself,”
—Kyle Larson, Driver. Larson elaborated further,
“We all want it so bad for ourselves, but even more for him and his leadership. I knew I had Cliff Daniels, and that’s something nobody else had.”
—Kyle Larson, Driver.
Cliff Daniels’ decision to gamble on a two-tire strategy in the closing moments of the Phoenix race is now seen as a defining moment in championship lore, but his resilience and unwavering optimism during a challenging season mattered even more to the team. Jeff Gordon, recognizing the monumental team effort, shared,
“You can just never say it’s over,”
—Jeff Gordon, Executive.
“Never quit and never count out Cliff Daniels and Kyle Larson. This whole race summed up their season. You’ve just got to love that fight.”
—Jeff Gordon, Executive.
Behind every championship moment are untold struggles and personal battles. The Hendrick organization endured significant personnel changes, as well as the emotional toll of losing long-time PR representative Jon Edwards. Daniels himself reflected on the importance of perseverance in the face of such adversity:
“You don’t plan for the struggle,”
—Cliff Daniels, Crew Chief.
“But that’s how we got tough enough, gritty enough to show this level of perseverance.”
—Cliff Daniels, Crew Chief.
In summing up his experience, Daniels expressed appreciation for the shared commitment that unites the entire group:
“I’m very grateful to be part of a team and an organization and a group of people that all share that belief.”
—Cliff Daniels, Crew Chief.
The Broad Impact of a Winning Culture in American Motorsport
Hendrick Motorsports’ championship culture, cultivated by Rick and Linda Hendrick, serves as a model for teamwork and sustained excellence throughout NASCAR and American motorsport as a whole. The leadership of figures like Daniels, Gordon, and Knaus demonstrates the importance of building resilient teams capable of weathering on- and off-track challenges.
Kyle Larson’s historic second championship and Cliff Daniels’ rise to the upper echelons of crew chiefs provide inspiration to engineers, mechanics, drivers, and fans alike, while continually reinforcing the ideals of recognition and unity. As Hendrick Motorsports looks toward future seasons, their established culture ensures the team remains a perennial fixture at the forefront of NASCAR’s premier events.
Their story underscores that long-term success on the track is never by accident—it is forged through shared goals, tradition, and the tireless pursuit of excellence, making Hendrick Motorsports’ championship culture a true benchmark for the sport.
