Kyle Larson secured his second Cup Series championship under the banner of Hendrick Motorsports at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday, triumphing after a challenging season that tested both skill and resolve. Central to his journey was crew chief Cliff Daniels, whose unique leadership approach played a pivotal role in the outcome, making the Kyle Larson Cup Series champion story especially compelling.
Cliff Daniels’ Proactive Approach to Challenges
The impact of a crew chief extends far beyond pit strategies and standard leadership duties; for Cliff Daniels, this included guiding the mental and emotional strength of not only Larson but the entire team. As the season unfolded, Larson encountered some of the most difficult moments of his career, including a well-publicized setback during the challenging Double Duty races at Indianapolis and Charlotte. The emotional toll and dent in self-confidence were openly discussed by Larson on various platforms.
Daniels, sought out on the Stacking Pennies podcast to reveal his methods, explained that his response to Larson’s slump wasn’t initially direct intervention. Reflecting on the situation, Daniels considered stepping back to allow Larson space to process the defeat while still finding a way to inspire collective growth within the No. 5 team. Before taking action, Daniels shared his intentions with car chief Jesse Saunders, emphasizing the need for a thoughtful solution.
Using Foundational Literature as Motivation
The breakthrough came when Daniels opted for a unique team-building exercise. He decided that inspiration and motivation might resonate more if they came from sources outside his own voice. Daniels introduced three influential books for the team to read together, each carrying principles he believed essential for overcoming adversity:
I wanted to do a bit of a journey with the team of letting the team hear some of the very foundational things from another voice than mine. So I said, “Hey, we’re going to read three books together as a team. We’re going to read Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin. We’re going to read The Art of War by Sun Tzu. And we’re going to read Acres of Diamonds by Russell Conwell.
— Cliff Daniels, Crew Chief
These carefully chosen works helped to establish a new framework for thinking about discipline, team unity, and self-belief among drivers, pit crew members, engineers, and the rest of the group. Daniels’ intention was to cultivate wisdom and shared resolve through lessons delivered by respected thinkers, not just from his own guidance.
Team Engagement and Lasting Effects
Kyle Larson embraced this collective reading journey, engaging in discussion and reflection with Daniels and the rest of Hendrick Motorsports at every opportunity. The activity fostered camaraderie and a renewed connection across team members, from the engineers to pit crew members, reinforcing the bonds essential for high-stakes competition. Daniels captured the sentiment simply:
That was just a fun thing for us to do as a team to get connected,
— Cliff Daniels, Crew Chief
This literary initiative, coupled with the guidance and strategy from Daniels and key figures such as Jesse Saunders, contributed to restoring Larson’s lost self-confidence throughout the season. By the time Larson returned to the track at Phoenix Raceway, the atmosphere within the No. 5 garage had shifted, defined by optimism, mutual support, and determination.
Legacy of Teamwork in the Cup Series
The story behind Kyle Larson’s win in the Cup Series championship illustrates the deep impact a crew chief can have, serving not only as strategist but as a mentor and motivator capable of guiding a team through disappointments and victories alike. As Hendrick Motorsports basks in this achievement, it is clear that the foundation built by Daniels and his reliance on lessons from sources like Sun Tzu, Jocko Willink, Leif Babin, and Russell Conwell will continue to shape success in future seasons.
With Larson’s regained determination and the No. 5 team’s united approach, the focus keyword — Kyle Larson Cup Series champion — is not just a title won on the track, but the result of resilience, reading, and remarkable leadership.
