Hendrick Motorsports is intensifying efforts to improve its pit crew ahead of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series, focusing on every detail that could translate to faster stops. The organization, located in Concord, is emphasizing continuous performance boosts, especially following a champion season for the No. 5 team and recognition for the No. 9 team’s pit crew during the playoffs. This drive for Hendrick Motorsports pit crew improvement is propelled by both recent successes and fresh assessments begun as soon as the last season concluded at Phoenix Raceway.
Strategic Team Adjustments and Talent Development
According to pit crew coach Jacob Claborn, the offseason is a critical period for refining the team composition and advancing the next generation of talent. As Claborn stated,
“We know we have the right athletes here, so, now it’s finding the right combination to make it work. So, we’ve been doing that,”
—Jacob Claborn, Pit Crew Coach. The current focus is on mixing lineups to determine the most effective groupings while investing significant practice time in the department’s “development guys.”
“That’s been our focus the first couple of weeks this December, focusing on mixing and matching some groupings and trying to find the right combination and bringing along our development guys. They’ve probably been practicing the most of anybody since Phoenix.”
—Jacob Claborn, Pit Crew Coach. This dual approach ensures that both newcomers and seasoned veterans contribute to a stronger overall unit, with veterans maintaining their fitness through rigorous weightroom routines.
Intensive Evaluation and New Choreography
The evaluation process within the Hendrick Motorsports pit crew is ongoing and data-driven. Weekly film review sessions help identify opportunities, not just for individual improvement, but for discovering efficiency in pit stop choreography as well. Claborn emphasized the importance of fresh thinking:
“We’re always trying to keep an open mind to choreography – is there a better way?”
—Jacob Claborn, Pit Crew Coach.
This experimental mindset bore fruit last season, with jackmen testing different techniques for right-side tire work to gain extra speed.
“I think you saw this year whereas some of our jackmen went to different takeaways on the right side, trying to find speed there, we have some additional practice going into this offseason realizing that while they’re currently fast in the way they’re doing it, there may be a faster way. So, we’ve been practicing some of that choreography with some of the individual positions.”
—Jacob Claborn, Pit Crew Coach.
Constant Drive for Excellence and Internal Competition
Competition within the organization is seen as a powerful motivator. Each member’s performance is meticulously measured and compared, with internal standings reflecting on their potential to dominate upcoming races.
“Throughout the year as you’re trying to find that tenth, we’re studying the numbers individually and seeing where guys may lack versus other guys in house. We firmly believe if you’re P1 here at Hendrick Motorsports, you’ll be P1 on pit road.”
—Jacob Claborn, Pit Crew Coach. This philosophy ensures no one is complacent, and that the entire crew continues to evolve alongside the ever-tightening margins in NASCAR pit stops.
The Road Ahead to 2026
Hendrick Motorsports’ staff, including prominent figures like Kyle Larson, remains committed to relentless evaluation and innovation long after celebrating last year’s championship. The upcoming season presents a new set of challenges, but with intense internal development and a willingness to challenge established routines, the team is positioning itself for even greater success on pit road in 2026. As they push to set new standards in the Cup Series, every second gained or lost will reflect their offseason labor and drive for improvement.
